The biggest mystery about Record Store Day used to be “What’s Record Store Day?”
That question was answered a decade ago when a small group of retailers fought back against the death of brick-and-mortar music sales at the hands of digital disruptors. Now, an international alliance of mom-and-pop shops and indie chains offer RSD (as it’s called) exclusive releases and other incentives to bring customers through the door.
For this year’s Record Store Day — returning Saturday, April 21 — the biggest questions are: “What can I get? And where can I get it?”
“Given the nature of Boulder and my clientele, my No. 1 seller will be the vinyl of Phish’s ‘Billy Breathes,’ ” predicted Andy Schneidkraut, owner of Albums on the Hill, who sees people line up around 5 a.m. each year at his shop in Boulder’s University Hill neighborhood.
The half-dozen stores The Denver Post surveyed for 2018 weren’t always as forthcoming with their anticipated chart-toppers. Part of the appeal of RSD is its air of mystery and exclusiveness, and holding back ensures eager detectives.
But Schneidkraut was happy to run down the releases he spent thousands on for this year’s event.
“I’ve also got the Grateful Dead’s Fillmore West 1969 limited edition, Allman Brothers ‘Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival,’ Arcade Fire, Sufjan Stevens, a Cure picture-disc, Steve Earle live, Tom Waits, Wilco, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Jeff Buckley, live Iggy Pop, the Ramones, some Wu-Tang instrumentals and a Swans record,” he said, barely taking a breath. “Of course, my favorite is Bobbie Gentry ‘Live at the BBC.’ “
So where else can you score RSD exclusives, and support local retailers in the process? We talked to some of the metro area’s best-known spots before this year’s event.
1. Angelo’s CDs & Records
937 East Colfax Ave., Denver, angeloscds.com
Event details: Angelo’s typically opens at 10 a.m., but will welcome shoppers starting at 8 a.m. on Record Store Day. “If you’re here when we open, most of our customers get what they want,” said general manager Mikey Honiotes, noting that his East Colfax Avenue store usually sees a modest line of 30 or 40 people. Live bands, and live painting and drawings, are on tap.
Pro tip: “Have a goal in mind. Have your sights set on one or two records, and go for them first.”
2. Twist & Shout
2508 E. Colfax Ave., twistandshout.com.
Event details: This year’s Record Store Day coincides with Twist & Shout’s 30th anniversary, although this Denver mainstay is focusing on RSD exclusives instead of in-store performances. The store typically sees fans line up Friday night, and will open at 8 a.m. instead of its usual 10 a.m. on April 21, according to general manager Patrick Brown. Exclusives include the aforementioned Grateful Dead Fillmore vinyl, Phish’s “Billy Breathes” and a release from singer-songwriter Jason Isbell — live at Twist & Shout.
Pro Tip: ”1. Get there early. 2. Come with a list, organized preferentially with what you need most at the top, and go for that first. 3. Ask questions. Call us beforehand, or I’ll personally be walking up and down line telling people how things are going. We’re a pretty well-oiled machine here, but there’s going to be a ton of people.”
3. Black & Read
78121 Wadsworth Blvd., blackandread.net.
Event details: This Arvada institution typically sees 100 people lined up before its doors open at 10 a.m. (normal hours this year, even on RSD). This year the store will feature live musical performances and other sales specials, according to manager Mikey Baca.
Pro tip: ”Just be patient. It’s been crazy the last few years as we’ve gotten busier and busier.”
4. Wax Trax Records
638 E. 13th Ave., waxtraxrecords.com
Event details: Another Denver institution, Wax Trax has long been a punk, indie, industrial and goth haven. They’ll be “ready to rock ‘n’ roll” at 9 a.m. this year, according to clerk Manual McCree, although the store will also be focusing on RSD music specials instead of live bands or other programming. “We’re kind of old-school like that,” he said. “Obscurity is what draws people in.”
Pro tip: “Have everything ready (at the counter), including what you’re looking for. We can’t read minds.”
5. Albums on the Hill
1128 13th St., Boulder, albumsonthehill.com.
Event details: ”The line usually begins at 5 a.m. for a 10 a.m. opening,” said owner Schneidkraut. “I’m anti-cluster, so I give out numbers 10 at a time and let people inside in waves.”
Pro tip: Expect healthy wait times to get into the store. “(My system) frustrates some people, but it works really well for my regular customers, who I want to treat with the utmost respect. We don’t allow the kind of insanity that sometimes occurs, and I try to weed out parasitical buyers who are just going to turn around and sell things online.”
Full list of Record Store Day 2018 Colorado locations:
Beat Pharm (Pueblo)
Sgt. Peppers Music and Video (Estes Park)
Angelo’s CDs & Records (South Broadway, Denver)
Angelo’s CDs & Records (East Colfax Avenue, Denver)
Angelo’s CDs & Records (Wheat Ridge)
Angelo’s CDs & Records (Aurora)
Chain Reaction Records (Lakewood)
The Leechpit (Colorado Springs)
Recycled Records LP (Longmont)
Eagle Valley Music (Minturn)
Rock ‘n’ Robin’s (Fort Collins)
Independent Records & Video (South Central, Colorado Springs)
Independent Records & Video (Downtown Colorado Springs)
Independent Records & Video (North Colorado Springs)
Independent Records & Video (Fountain)
Independent Records & Video (Pueblo)
Independent Annex (Colorado Springs)
Black & Read (Denver)
Bart’s Record Shop (Boulder)
The Bizarre Bazaar (Fort Collins)
Bogey’s West Music (Castle Rock)
Downtown Sound (Loveland)
Twist & Shout (Denver)
Wray Audio Video (Wray)
Albums on the Hill (Boulder)
Southwest Sound (Durango)
Pueblo Records and Tapes (Pueblo)
Affordable Music (Dillon)
Wax Trax Records (Denver)
LP Hound’s Vinyl House (Denver)
Triple Play Records (Grand Junction)
All That Jazz (Steamboat Springs)
Random Records (Durango)
The Denver Post needs your support.
Subscribe now for just 99 cents for the first month.
[Read More …]
No comments:
Post a Comment