“I found my calling in the back bin of a dark, dusty record store," 2015 Record Store Day Ambassador Dave Grohl writes in a press statement. "I believe that the power of the record store to inspire is still alive and well, and that their importance to our next generation of musicians is crucial.”
There's a huge population of folks who'd agree with Grohl and those folks are no longer only made up of hipsters.
Music lovers of all kinds are falling in love—or rekindling their love—with vinyl, from the expansive liner notes and entrancing cover art to the full-bodied sound quality.
Saturday, April 18, this excitable group of people will be running around in towns and cities all over the country.
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It will mark Record Store Day's eighth year. Here are some FAQs for the newbies.
What new albums are released on RSD?
There are three categories of releases. RSD Exclusives: titles exclusively available on RSD at participating stores and will not be available anywhere else in the same format. RSD Limited Run/Regional Focus: Also exclusively available on RSD, but may not be distributed nationally, or quantities are limited (sometimes way under 1,000). RSD First Release: Titles found on RSD at participating stores that, sometime in the future, will be available at other retailers.
How do you know what titles are going to be released?
There's an official list provided by RSD. Note from RSD: "Keep in mind that things change OFTEN in this business, and we’ll be making changes to the list when that happens. Fixes, tweaks, new descriptions, additions and cancellations as they happen. Life is a work in progress, there’s a poster out there with a kitten in an adorable but precarious situation that says so. And so is our list."
How will I know what titles will be available at my local record store?
You won't, which is why the lines are long before the store opens. Many times, stores only get one copy of a release. The RSD folks recommend becoming BFFs with your local record store owners. Another note: "ALL STORES MAY NOT ORDER ALL RELEASES. ALL STORES MAY NOT GET EVERYTHING THEY ORDER. Record Store Day titles are limited for a number of reasons, and all in all, that’s a good thing."
Who's participating in Record Store Day in Monterey County?
We have three participating spots: Recycled Records (375-5454) on Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey, Do Re Mi (625-1229) in Carmel and Siren Records (920-2801) off Fremont in Monterey. Vinyl Revolution (646-9020) in Pacific Grove isn't officially a RSD participant, but drop in anyway, check out the selection and show owner Bob Gamber some love.
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The master list could be overwhelming, so I've put together my own abbreviated list of 10 top selections.
Willie Nelson Teatro (2 x 12" Colored Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
Otis Redding Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (2 x 12" Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
The Replacements Replacements EP (10" Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
Todd Snider Impending Doom (7" Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
Johnny Thunders Live at Max's Kansas City (Volumes 1 and 2) (2 x 12" Colored Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
The White Stripes Get Behind Me Satan (2 x 12" Colored Vinyl 'RSD First' Release)
Steve Earle / Robert Johnson Terraplane Blues (10" Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
Sly and the Family Stone Live at the Fillmore East (2 x 12" Colored Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)
Grateful Dead Wake Up To Find Out: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale NY 3/29/90 (Vinyl Box Set RSD Exclusive Release)
Father John Misty I Love You, Honeybear (7" Colored Vinyl RSD Exclusive Release)

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