Since its humble beginning in 2007, Record Store Day has grown into a huge international success for independent record stores across the nation and the world. In fact, it is now considered the music holiday of the year for indie music lovers, artists, record stores and music collectors. The special day started six years ago as a way to promote independent record stores, which have been largely decimated nationwide over the past decade due to consolidation by the mega record store chains and the Internet.
The real success behind Record Store Day has been the exclusive release of rare recordings, special covers, creative formats and packaging, and limited editions, especially in regards to vinyl that are not available for purchase online; although some releases are available online after Record Store Day in formats other than the limited edition vinyls. However, for die-hard fans of particular bands and artists, eBay and other sites often have limited edition RSD releases at auction, or for instant purchase, sometimes fetching 10 or more times as much as the original price of the in-store purchase. There were more than 350 exclusive releases for the seventh Record Store Day celebration.
Check out IRC’s coverage of past Record Store Day releases, including RSD 2012, 2011, and 2010.
While The White Stripes duo of Jack White and Meg are no longer making new music together (following their 2011 disbandment of the famous garage rock duo), that hasn’t stopped them from releasing new and limited editions, as they did for RSD. Not only was Jack White the official spokesperson, or ‘ambassador,’ for RSD, but he also put together a special 10th anniversary collector’s limited edition vinyl of the duo’s breakthrough album, Elephant, for the special day. The limited edition release is available on two LPs, one a black and red vinyl and the other on white vinyl, mastered from the original analog tapes and housed in a double pocket gatefold, tip on sleeve with a MP3 download card and printed inner sleeves.
Best Coast released a special vinyl 7″ double-single for RSD, “Fear of My Identity/Who Have I Become.” Bethany Cosentino‘s father, Ricky Cosentino, plays drums on the first track. Check out a Pitchfork video of Bethany talking about her musical influences, including America, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.
“Fear of My Identity” – Best Coast
The Black Keys released a cover of The Stooges‘ track, “No Fun,” which appeared on The Black Keys EP, The Moan. The special Record Store Day release was pressed on orange tie-dye vinyl and limited to 1,000 copies. The vinyl includes “Black Chandelier” (Live Zurich, Switzerland 1/19/13) and “City Of Dreadful Night.”
The electro-pop duo MGMT released a ‘cassingle’ (cassette single) on RSD last Saturday for the track, “Alien Days.” The track, as evidenced by the responses on the Soundcloud cut below, has received a big, warm welcoming from fans, as the first single from the duo’s upcoming album. The band also included a free MP3 download for the lucky few across the country, and the world, who were able to get their hands on the cassingle.
The popular electro-pop band Phoenix dropped a limited edition grey (why grey?) vinyl 7″ via Glassnote on RSD that features the track “Entertainment” with a B-side of the single in Korean.
Synth master Dan Deacon released “Konono Ripoff No. 1″ 7″ vinyl with only 500 copies made worldwide. The 7” features two versions of the track in a hand numbered jacket with the cover art from the winner of the Dan Deacon America Instagram contest. View the SXSW 2012 version of “Konono Ripoff No. 1” recorded at the NPR showcase.
Brian Eno teamed up with Grizzly Bear and got the remix treatment from Nicolas Jaar on a 12″ vinyl double-single featuring Eno’s “LUX 2” and Grizzly Bear’s “Sleeping Ute,” recorded on black vinyl with a large, bold typed cover sleeve.
The 70’s glam pop band, Big Star, released a limited edition (1000 copies) double LP 12′ inch, 180 gram yellow vinyl pressing, Nothing Can Hurt Me, on Record Store Day, via Omnivore Recordings, which is now available in limited quantity via Amazon – view the the track listing. The double album title is also the title of the recent Big Star documentary, that was an official selection at 2012 SXSW film festival. Big Star are best known today as the band behind the title track for the popular and long-running TV series, That ’70’s Show.
The iconic band, The Flaming Lips, released a four LP box set on RSD 2013 of the previously released album, Zaireeka. The limited edition vinyl release features multi-colored vinyls, new artwork and a booklet for die-hard fans to cherish forever. In this promo video for Zaireeka, does anyone know what happened to Wayne Coyne? He looks very different than the last time we saw him. Is it plastic surgery or something else? Regardless, the Lips remain a unique band we’ll always hold dear to our hearts for providing so many special moments over nearly two decades.
“The Machine Is India” – The Flaming Lips from Zaireeka
Bill Densmore, the original drummer for the classic rock band The Doors, kicked off an indie record and book store author signing tour for his new book The Doors Unhinged on RSD.
Additionally, a 7″ milky translucent vinyl single of The Doors 1967 track, “Soul Kitchen” was released as part of the Side By Side series from Elektra Records.