Record Store Day: It means something
An edited version of the below piece appeared in Cork’s Evening Echo on Thursday, 12th April
When we think of our beloved local record store, we picture shimmering sunny Saturdays, dozens of technicolour gig posters battling to win the gaze of passers-by, the next new noise blaring unapologetically from the stereo, Plugd’s Albert and Jim buzzing about like busy bees behind the counter and stacks of countless records and cds imprinted with some of the most magnificent sounds imaginable. The mural painted by record store day 2012 on Saturday April 21st, will be no different.
Tower Records’ Gerry Brown describes RSD as “like our National Day, where we celebrate all things music, especially vinyl, which is back on the up. [Tower Records] are proud to still be flying the flag for independent music stores and next year we will be celebrating our 20th anniversary.”
Elsewhere in Dublin, Elastic Witch have set up shop as part of the Twisted Pepper complex. Gib Cassidy, the head warlock himself, speaks fondly of his experiences since the store popped up on Abbey Street less than a year ago.
“The biggest high has been getting the shop opened in the first place! I’ve met a lot of new friends throughout the last half a year too. That’s been pretty cool. Lows have been few and far between to be honest. Mostly highs.”
In the world of the mp3, record stores remain an integral part of a city’s musical community, providing an outlet for local bands to sell their music and a meeting point for like minded individuals, encouraging the forming and exchanging of new ideas and views, not to mention avail of the staff’s musical knowledge – the walking gig and new release guides that they are.
Not only will limited edition vinyls be available on Record Store Day – from a split 7” record featuring prog-metal giants Mastodon and indie princess Feist to a 10” single from none other than The Boss himself – but most participants will host a heavily populated programme of events. For example, Wingnut Records in Galway have indie-pop partisans Bouts playing instore while Dublin’s Tower Records have two days of live music planned, featuring sets from the Choice Music Prize-nominated Tieranniesaur and New York folkie Simone Felice.
Closer to home, Albert and Jim of Plugd Records – celebrating a year in their new premises on Tobin Street – have a mammoth day of live music arranged; The scintillating synth brilliance of The Jimmy Cake, the dark doom-dub of Melodica Deathship and the off-centre alien pop of Laura Sheeran’s newly formed Nanu Nanu will all be on show in the downstairs Triskel Auditorium as part of the fifth annual, internationally celebrated Record Store Day. Ray from Wingnut Records in Galway sums the day up best.
“Record Store Day serves as a cultural celebration of independent record shops and their place in the community, an opportunity for artists to show their appreciation for record shops, and it’s a mighty excuse for a party!”
– Record Store Day 2012 is Saturday, 21st April
– Stay tuned to www.thegmanworld.com all this week for RSD12 interviews, articles and more
Click here to see participating stores in your area
