If you are the person who when hearing that vinyl records are hot raise an eyebrow in disbelief, then quite frankly you’ve been spending too much time at your iTunes storefront or zoning out to the curated-just-for-you experience of streaming music sites like Spotify and Pandora.
Honestly, the demand for vinyl is so hot right now that when a release comes out, it is often snatched up quickly since the ability to produce vinyl on a global scale has never been higher as local record stores, once seen as endangered species, begin to show signs of life after near death.
In fact, the demand to print on vinyl is so great that many acts have to wait in line to get something produced on this analog format.
Key releases this year include special re-issues of a few albums from David Bowie’s catalogue, another Buzzcocks compilation, a thought-to-be-lost Bill Evans recording made after his historic 1968 Montreux Jazz Festival appearance, a Flaming Lips boxed set, and an Interscope release of former Grand Rapidian Borns’ Live on KCRW’S Morning Becomes Eclectic on color vinyl. Other notable releases include Patti Smith's Horses record live last year at NYC’s Electric Lady Studios and a posthumous release of the ultimate crate digger J Dilla’s “The Diary.”
There are even some thrilling classic releases featuring Johnny Cash, Metallica, Cheap Trick, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Erik Satie, John Coltrane, and even a 50th Anniversary RSD release of the Television soundtrack to
Dark Shadows.
For a complete list be sure to visit
RSD's main site
Just remember that not every store will have all of the releases posted on the RSD’s website since many of these are limited edition issues just for Record Store Day [RSD] 2016.
And while not every store will be celebrating Record Store Day the same way, it is worth noting that all five featured here have something for everyone and should be on your touring schedule this Saturday. I would recommend visiting in this order:
First stop should be
Vertigo Music (129 S. Division, Grand Rapids) where, as you wait in line outside before their doors open, you can experience the exciting rush of vinyl geeks all buzzing about the release they are hoping will be just inside of the doors of this Avenue for the Arts district store.
Performing live in Vertigo Music on RSD will be Brandon Sykes, Zen Star Beat Cult, Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, Vox Vidorra, Forever Grey, Lost System, and Bootstrap Boys. See Vertigo Music’s Facebook event page for times and specials being offered on this day.
If you did not find what you wanted at Vertigo, then head out to the
Corner Record Shop (3562 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville), which will not only be hosting a wide array of special releases from RSD, they will also be hosting their annual massive sale on vinyl.
Live performances start at noon and include Brief Candles, Fiona Dickinson, Overly Polite Tornadoes, Great Black Night, and Vida Eterna.
Many may recall that one RSD venue literally stopped traffic on Division Avenue as Rev. Charles and his band took to the roof of
Dodd’s Record Shop to perform for those walking the sidewalks. It was an effective and thrilling reminder of the power of rock and roll to break through to something new.
Now don’t go looking on Division Avenue for Michigan's oldest record store since Dodd’s Record Shop recently moved to the westside of Grand Rapids at 808 Bridge St. NW.
Like most venues, there will be live music all day long along with a rumored appearance of the on-and-off again PotatoeBabies.
And lest you think Rev. Charles is going to stop with the antics now that he is a westsider, then you don’t know Rapid Growth’s favorite Reverend, who is mounting the first-ever Record Store Day parade.
Sure, if it is like most low-budget, DIY things debuting in GR, it will be a lo-fi affair when they kick off the parade at 3 p.m. The festivities will travel on Bridge between Stocking and Lane.
But, if it is a Rev. Charles affair, then you can be most certain the antics he’s working up for us will be memorable no matter the size of this first year parade. One thing I know as an events person in our city for two decades, if we give this parade some time and a little attention, it will grow.
There is a newcomer this year with
Revolve Records (1606 Fuller SE, Grand Rapids) joining the celebration. Revolve is new to Grand Rapids and boasts an eclectic puppy assortment of vinyl but an incredible collection of vintage cassette tapes. As of press time, no artist list of performers (if any) were released. Visit their
website for a sample list of their inventory and specials.
If you still have some energy left or did not find that hard-to-find vinyl, then maybe a stop at
Schuler Books (2660 28th Street, Grand Rapids), which will be participating as an official RSD venue, will have what you desire.
At the end of your long day, why not head to the
Flamingo Lounge, where Rev. Charles has produced an after-RSD part starting at 8 p.m. with The Bitters, Joe Rodriguez, Raven Griffin & The Hellions, Legal Immigrants, Otis Blueswell Jr, Lectra Lux, Swinehart, PotatoeBabies, and Bruce Jenner’s Breast Milk.
Whatever you do, don’t stay home and miss this cultural phenomenon, which is raising the role of the local record store in our culture. Record stores are a vital space in our cities where discovery is king. It's also a place where making a new connection is easy and over something so analog like …you know, kissing. After all, Record Store Day is really about the local love we can give.
Admission: Free