Every year, National Record Store Day rings with nostalgia – and special new releases.

National Record Store Day has become a celebration of a time before digital, where music lovers shared the experience of collated racks of vinyl. It started back in 2008 and has grown in popularity, especially where old-school shops exist.

“They wanted to put the interest back into vinyl,” explains Bob Gamber, owner of Vinyl Revolution in Pacific Grove.

For Michaela Kuenster, Saturday, April 20 – officially Record Store Day – will be special because she’s opening her own P.G. record store called Pop & Hiss that will also have a listening lounge and more (the plan includes opening a family-friendly bar and hosting live music in the store by summer). She plans a party with DJs to celebrate its opening and the big day.

Record prices range from a few dollars to triple digits. The former appeals to Kuenster.

“I get excited about this 25-cent dorky record that I play all the time,” she admits.

For Kuenster, 4-20-2024 sounds like a lucky number. The event is like a lottery for everyone involved.

Every year, the official Record Store Day website releases its music list for the event. Stores order records, but they won’t know what they’ll be getting since nothing is guaranteed – except the shared experience. Lines form at stores and people patiently wait for a chance to get the record they want, adding hype to the format.

“People are coming together,” Gamber observes.

Record Store Day releases include classics and contemporary popular artists, all done in vinyl particular for the day. Artists could include Taylor Swift, David Bowie, Elton John and more, as well as special releases. It’s all first-come, first-served.

“If you can’t get it on that one day, you try to get it after that,” Gamber says with a good luck tone to his voice. “It’s going to be blown up online – for a lot more money.” But you don’t need to nab a special Record Store Day release to celebrate the event. There are also used albums, 45s and CDs to explore.

Record Store Day is a great time to explore local stores and find new treasure for your music collection. It’s one day of many that invites music fans to tune into stores throughout Monterey County, including Downtown Book and Sound in Salinas, Siren Records and Recycled Records in Monterey, Vinyl Revolution and Pop & Hiss in Pacific Grove, each with their unique vibe and hundreds of vinyl records.