As a vinyl collector and music fan, I have had the fortunate ability to live in a lot of major cities and travel to locations with some amazing music stores. What I am going to do leading up to Record Store Day, is highlight some of my favorite music stores and hopefully when you are in town you'll visit their store or at least shop their online web presence. These stores are the cream of the crop in my opinion and you are always welcome to disagree with me!
But I figure the more that people are aware about these stores, the more chances they get business, especially for anyone in Europe or overseas that are looking for any US releases, these are the stores you'll want to target.
Take care and enjoy learning about these stores!
WP
Blog Archive
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Is the Death of the Physical Single Near??
So today, Mercury Records (UK division of Universal Music), the label that home to such artists as:
- U2
- Arcade Fire
- The Killers
- Metallica
- Paul McCartney
- Deep Purple
- Ryan Adams
- Elvis Costello
- Elton John
- and more
announced that they are no longer going to make physical CD or 7" singles unless there are "extraordinary circumstances". The main factor has been the loss of money by the label.
The 7" has been around since 1949. However, sales of the 7" in the UK have fallen 85% since 2006.
Many people I am sure spent a lot of time in the 90's/00's getting a UK CD single set (with a part 1 and a part 2) or a 7". Most stores even sold a bundle that would include the CD singles with the 7" as a set. The great thing about these items was that they featured b-sides that were normally unreleased or live.
For whatever reason, these started to not becoming as prevelant. You started to see bands make an ITUNES single rather than a CD single. Hell, I was shocked when U2's Magnificent Remixes CD was released in the US.
But here is the problem or point.....lables GOT LAZY. They overproduced singles with unattractive b-sides that didn't give the CONSUMER any value to purchase. How many times have you bought a single with the RADIO EDIT on it? That is garbage. I don't want a simplified version of the song. I don't want the INSTRUMENTAL version of the song. I don't want the ACAPELLA version of the song. I want a DEMO version, I want a REMIX version, I want a LIVE version. Those things ADD VALUE.
The other thing that needs to be done is MAKE A LIMITED PRESSING RUN. Labels are in this situation because they OVER SATURATE the market with these items. It is all about supply and demand.
Case in point, about a month ago, Queen of the Stone Age had a pre-order for a 7" single (How to Handle a Rope). This 7" was indvidually numbered and limited to just 1000 copies. It SOLD OUT in hours.
This is what needs to happen. If a label wants to gauge interest in a release, then make the release the following way:
* [vinyl] 1st run of 1000 copies, each individually numbered, on colored vinyl with relevant b-sides (not crappy, un-necessary b-sides).
* [cd] 1st run of 1000 copies in whatever format is cheapest (plastic, cardboard sleeve, etc.), each individually numbered with multiple tracks (at least 4, which does not include the title track) that are either live, unreleased, alternate/demo or remixed versions of the title track.
If the run sells out quickly and demand is high (based on Ebay values), then make a 2nd run. The 2nd run however will be as follows:
* [vinyl] 2nd run of 2000 copies, not numbered, on BLACK vinyl
* [cd] 2nd run of 2000 copies, not numbered, with generic artwork/sleeve.
That way, those who were early adopters are awarded and those that missed out or want to jump on the bandwagon can do so. It would be interesting to see if a label could make this work, but I'd at least try it out instead of just cancelling the 7"/CD single format altogether.
What I hope doesn't happen is that other major labels follow suit and the only time we get a 7" from our favorite artist is on Record Store Day or a unique event (e.g. anniversary 7" through the band's fanclub).
Surprised that some of the US music blogs don't have an opinion on this, because forcing everything to ITUNES or Rhapsody or whatever online music service you use, WILL TRULY force people to use illegal services like BitTorrent, etc. Because collectors are not shut out of the game, all it will take is 1 person to buy the online single and distribute it for the rest of the world to hear. This decision will hurt Mercury Records more than they think, too bad they don't have the balls and foresight to understand why keeping the physical product is important. If done right, it can be very lucrative and profitable.
WP
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The LIST of MISSING Record Store Day Items (So far)
Ok, my goal here is to ensure that no release is left off.
So here are some releases that have been announced, but not showing up on the RSD site. Hopefully they will soon.
1) Earth Angels of Darkness. Southern Lord made 1000 for Europe for RSD and left 500 for the US.
Proof: http://porchlightcoffee.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/record-store-day-2011/
Proof: http://vinylcollective.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=60026&page=1
Proof: http://www.cargo-records.de/de/p3208/id/48594/lg/livegigs/cargo_katalog.html
2) Revelation Record Releases
REV:17 Youth Of Today "S/T" 7" (Red Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:18 Quicksand "S/T" (Blue Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:22 Burn "S/T" 7" (Yellow Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:68 Elliot "U.S. Songs" LP (Grey Vinyl) edition of 500
PROOF: http://www.revelationrecords.com/news/show/249
3) City and Colour Sometimes RSD LP
On April 16th, 2011, in honour of Record Store Day, we will be releasing a very special edition of the first City and Colour record, "Sometimes." We will be pressing 500 hand numbered copies of "Sometimes" on vinyl. You can pick your copy up at your local record store throughout Canada and the USA.
Here are all the details about the Record Store Day Exclusive:
- hand numbered of 500
- 2 x 180g black vinyl
- silk screened jacket
- includes bonus track "missing"
PROOF: http://www.cityandcolour.ca/news/5/
4) The Oh Sees Singles Collection 1 & 2 2LP
PROOF: http://piratespress.com/rotw/?p=507 (picture of 2LP set, proving it exists)
PROOF: www.facebook.com/orangerecordsfargo (listed on their RSD list)
PROOF: www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=206737512672980 (listed on their RSD list)
5) V/A Pressed at Boddie/Burned at Boddie/Dubbed at Boddie (Numero Group)
PROOF: http://numerogroup.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/record-store-day-2011/
6) Superchunk Here's Where the Strings Come In LP w/bonus unreleased download tracks
PROOF: http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/03/wild-flag-premieres-glass-tambourine-and-merge-announces-record-store-day-exclusives/
7) Rosetta A Determination of Morality 2LP on Cavity Records
PROOF: http://rosettaband.com/page/2
8) Trouble in Mind Records 4 way split 7"
PROOF: http://troubleinmindrecs.blogspot.com/2011/02/sxsw-2011-upcoming-stuff-for-2011-holy.html
9) V/A Wuxtry Records (compliation that features REM, etc.)
PROOF: www.fab.ca (search 2011RSD in the "title" field to find it)
PROOF: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wuxtry-Records/88742854329
10) Frustrators Griller 7"
Listed as a CD on the list, but it is also being released as a RED VINYL 7"
PROOF: http://www.frustrators.co.cc/ (January 30th update)
_________________________________________________________
Thanks, that is what I've noticed so far. If you are a LABEL or a BAND that have a release that isn't listed, LET ME KNOW.
WP
So here are some releases that have been announced, but not showing up on the RSD site. Hopefully they will soon.
1) Earth Angels of Darkness. Southern Lord made 1000 for Europe for RSD and left 500 for the US.
Proof: http://porchlightcoffee.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/record-store-day-2011/
Proof: http://vinylcollective.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=60026&page=1
Proof: http://www.cargo-records.de/de/p3208/id/48594/lg/livegigs/cargo_katalog.html
2) Revelation Record Releases
REV:17 Youth Of Today "S/T" 7" (Red Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:18 Quicksand "S/T" (Blue Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:22 Burn "S/T" 7" (Yellow Vinyl) edition of 1,000
REV:68 Elliot "U.S. Songs" LP (Grey Vinyl) edition of 500
PROOF: http://www.revelationrecords.com/news/show/249
3) City and Colour Sometimes RSD LP
On April 16th, 2011, in honour of Record Store Day, we will be releasing a very special edition of the first City and Colour record, "Sometimes." We will be pressing 500 hand numbered copies of "Sometimes" on vinyl. You can pick your copy up at your local record store throughout Canada and the USA.
Here are all the details about the Record Store Day Exclusive:
- hand numbered of 500
- 2 x 180g black vinyl
- silk screened jacket
- includes bonus track "missing"
PROOF: http://www.cityandcolour.ca/news/5/
4) The Oh Sees Singles Collection 1 & 2 2LP
PROOF: http://piratespress.com/rotw/?p=507 (picture of 2LP set, proving it exists)
PROOF: www.facebook.com/orangerecordsfargo (listed on their RSD list)
PROOF: www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=206737512672980 (listed on their RSD list)
5) V/A Pressed at Boddie/Burned at Boddie/Dubbed at Boddie (Numero Group)
PROOF: http://numerogroup.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/record-store-day-2011/
6) Superchunk Here's Where the Strings Come In LP w/bonus unreleased download tracks
PROOF: http://www.mergerecords.com/blog/2011/03/wild-flag-premieres-glass-tambourine-and-merge-announces-record-store-day-exclusives/
7) Rosetta A Determination of Morality 2LP on Cavity Records
PROOF: http://rosettaband.com/page/2
8) Trouble in Mind Records 4 way split 7"
PROOF: http://troubleinmindrecs.blogspot.com/2011/02/sxsw-2011-upcoming-stuff-for-2011-holy.html
9) V/A Wuxtry Records (compliation that features REM, etc.)
PROOF: www.fab.ca (search 2011RSD in the "title" field to find it)
PROOF: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wuxtry-Records/88742854329
10) Frustrators Griller 7"
Listed as a CD on the list, but it is also being released as a RED VINYL 7"
PROOF: http://www.frustrators.co.cc/ (January 30th update)
_________________________________________________________
Thanks, that is what I've noticed so far. If you are a LABEL or a BAND that have a release that isn't listed, LET ME KNOW.
WP
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Official RSD list is out...a comment
Ok, so the official RSD list is now out at www.recordstoreday.com. You will notice that there are some releases MISSING. I will work on helping get those releases added, since I am guessing that this list is a work in progress (remember they are volunteers). So don't panic just yet...more items will be added and hopefully you'll be able to find what you're looking for in about 3 weeks (it's getting closer!!)
Also, some cool new items posted on the RSD UK website. A Smiths 10"? A Echo & The Bunnymen 12"? A 7" boxset from Ed Banger records featuring the new Justice single (demo version). Nice. Who in the UK wants to help me obtain some of these items?? heh. I'll return the favor for any US releases (e.g. Beady Eye boxset) you are looking for!
Thanks!
WP
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Did Your Store Sign the Record Store Day PLEDGE? Why the Pledge MATTERS--PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND LINK THIS POST EVERYWHERE!
UPDATED 3/28/2011
STORES WHO WISH TO BE PLACED ON THE PRIORITY ALLOCATION LIST FOR COMMERCIAL RECORD STORE DAY PRODUCT SHOULD DOWNLOAD, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PLEDGE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 15, 2011. (US STORES ONLY)
**NOTE** Thanks to the comment left by Kevin, it should be noted that Canadian stores were not offered/given a chance to sign the pledge. I am guessing the pledge was a "test" this year and the RSD folks wanted to limit it to as few stores as possible. I am sure next year Canada and even the UK will likely be added (hopefully). So if you don't see a Canadian store on the list, it is OK, and they will hopefully let you know that they will sign the pledge next year if given a chance.***
Below are some things that Record Store Day requests that stores do or don’t do in order to be placed on the list of stores given Priority Allocation of Record Store Day releases. These are all things designed to keep customer and store disappointment at a minimum. Please read through them.
1. Product created for Record Store Day will be sold in physical retail stores.
2. Stores will not sell Record Store Day releases online, nor will orders be taken online for later shipping, prior to that year’s actual Record Store Day.
3. Product remaining after Record Store Day can be put up on a store’s website the day after Record Store Day, but stores will not hold product back from physical customers in order to post it online, nor will set prices online be markedly above in-store prices.
4. If a store uses an auction site (like Ebay or any other site where the seller can not list a firm sale price) to sell overstock Record Store Day pieces, they should wait at least one month from Record Store Day to do so.
5. Because of the limited quantity of some items and the necessity of allocating, stores are asked not to take pre-orders for Record Store Day product. In the past, this has resulted in customers not receiving items they have paid for.
If you would like to be on the list of those stores who have agreed to play by the rules and be given priority on the releases created for Record Store Day, please sign below and return to Record Store Day (See below). (Again, please understand that being on this list does not guarantee that all stores will get every piece they order. Allocations and sellouts will happen, and Record Store Day has no control over that. ) Any store on this list who doesn't follow the requests above will be taken off the list, and will no longer be listed on the Record Store Day website as a participating store.
According to Eric, 587 stores have signed that pledge. That means that if you go to your local store and can't find an item on RSD, if you search online the next day, you should be able to buy an item from a webstore at the exact same price it is listed in the store. Stores will not be able to sell any items on Ebay until 30 days after RSD. So you, as a customer, should be able to find most of the RSD items you want.
So which stores, signed the Pledge, and is there a store in your are that did not sign the Pledge? Let's see, as here is the list of stores to date (from here: http://www.recordstoreday.com/Page/1032):
| STORE | ADDRESS | # OF STORES | |
| 1-2-3-4 Go! Records | 423 40th St., Oakland CA 94609 | 1 | |
| 360 Vinyl | 214 SW 8th Avenue, Portland OR 97205 | 1 | |
| Absolute Records Vinyl and Stereo | 4474 North Broadway, Boulder, CO | 1 | |
| Ace in the Hole Music | 1153 Kenny Centre, Columbus OH 43220 | 1 | |
| Affordable Music | 104 Village Place, POB 18722, Dillon CO 80435 | 1 | |
| Amoeba | 6400 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 | 3 | |
| Angry Mom Records | 115 The Commons, Ithaca NY 14850 | 1 | |
| Antone's Record Shop | 2928 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705 | 1 | |
| Aquarius Records | 1055 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110 | 1 | |
| Arkansas Record-CD Exchange | 4212 Macarthur Drive, North Little Rock, AR, | 1 | |
| Atomic Records Denver | 340 S. Broadway, Denver, CO 80209 | 1 | |
| Avalon Music | 1330 Railroad Ave, Bellingham WA 98225 | 1 | |
| B-Side Records | 436 State St, Madison WI 53703 | 1 | |
| Backdoor Records | 737 W. Walnut St., Johnson City, TN 37604 | 1 | |
| Backside Records | 139 N. San Fernando Blvd, Burbank CA 01502 | 1 | |
| Backspin Records | 4031 Airport Blvd, Suite 110-A, Austin TX 78756 | 1 | |
| Backstreet Records | 21 S. 7th St. Indiana, PA 15701 | 1 | |
| Backtrack Records | 1549 N. Cotner Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68505 | 1 | |
| Bananas Music | 2226 16th Avenue N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33713 | 2 | |
| Barney's Good Time Music | 15 W. Main St, Woodland CA 95695 | 1 | |
| Bedrock Music & Video | 226 4th St., San Rafael CA 94901 | 1 | |
| Beverly Records | 11612 S. Western, Chicago, IL 60643 | 1 | |
| Black Dog Records | 3816 S. Shepherd Dr, Houston TX 22098 | 1 | |
| BK Music | 7106 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225 | 1 | |
| Blue Arrow Records | 16001 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland OH 44111 | 1 | |
| Boo Boo Records | 978 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo CA 93401 | 1 | |
| Buffalo Records | 92 S. Laurel St, Ventura, CA 93001 | 1 | |
| Bull Moose | 19 Arbor St, Portland ME 04103 | 10 | |
| Cabin Floor Records | 1 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29609 | 1 | |
| Cactus Records and Gifts | 29 W. Main St., Bozeman, MT 59715 | 1 | |
| CD Alley | 405C W. Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 | 1 | |
| CD Cellar, Inc | 709-B West Broad St, Falls Church VA 22046 | 2 | |
| CD Central | 377 S. Limestone St, Lexington, KY 40508 | 1 | |
| CD City | 593 Elm Place, Highland Park IL 60035 | 1 | |
| CD Exchange | 40 Jay Scutti Blvd, Rochester, NY 14623 | 1 | |
| CD Island | 228 Merrick Rd, Rockville Centre NY 11570 | 1 | |
| CD or Not CD | 343 E. Main, Ashland, OR 97520 | 1 | |
| CD Source | 5500 Greenville Ave #201, Dallas TX 75206 | 1 | |
| CD Warehouse | 3832 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17105 | 1 | |
| CD Warehouse | 1112 N. Collins, Suite A, Arlington TX 76011 | 1 | |
| CD Warehouse | 499 Terry Fox Dr, Kanata ON K2T IH7 | 3 | |
| CD World | 3215 W. 11th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 | 1 | |
| CDs 4 Change | 3305 Asbury Rd #2, Dubuque IA 52002 | 1 | |
| Central Square Records | 89 Central Square/ PO Box 4694, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | 1 | |
| Cheap Thrills Records | 1130 Stafford Dr, Princeton, WV 24740 | 2 | |
| Cheapo Discs | 914 N. Lamar, Austin TX 78733 | 1 | |
| Checkered Records | 1954 Whipple Avenue NW, Canton OH 44708 | 1 | |
| Chester County Book & Music Company | 975 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380 | 1 | |
| Chester Records | 185 N. Loudoun St, Winchester, VA 22601 | 1 | |
| Co-Op Records | 516 S. 2nd St, Clinton IA 52732 | 1 | |
| Co-Op Records | 3253 Court St, Pekin, IL 61554 | 1 | |
| Compact Disc Center | 1365 Eastern Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18018 | 1 | |
| Creative Leisure | 417 1st St, Havre, MT 59501 | 1 | |
| Criminal Records | 1154 Euclid Avenue NE, Atlanta GA 30307 | 2 | |
| Crooked Beat Records | 2116 18th St. NW, Washington DC 20009 | 1 | |
| Culture Clash Records | 3020 Secor Road, Toledo, OH 43623 | 1 | |
| Culture Shock Records | 2314 Charles St, Rockford, IL | 1 | |
| Cyklopx | 7511 Madison, Forest Park, IL 60130 | 1 | |
| Daddy Kool Records | 666 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | 1 | |
| Dave's Music Mine | 1210 E. Carson St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203 | 1 | |
| Dave's Records | 2604 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614 | 1 | |
| Deadbeat Records | 114 E. 3rd St, Moscow ID 83843 | 1 | |
| Dearborn Music | 22000 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48124 | 1 | |
| dig! Music | 362 N. State St., Ukiah, CA 95482 | 1 | |
| Dimple Records | 2433 Arden Way, Sacramento, CA 95825 | 8 | |
| Disc Exchange | 2615 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920 | 1 | |
| Discology | 11 N. Sierra St. #100, Reno, NV 89501 | 1 | |
| Discorama Music World | 44 W. 8th St, New York, NY 10011 | 1 | |
| Double Decker Records | 808 Saint Johns St., Allentown PA 18103 | 1 | |
| Down in the Valley | 8020 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427 | 3 | |
| Dr. Freecloud's Record Shop | 18960 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708 | 1 | |
| Eagle Valley Music & Comics | 2161 N. Frontage Rd W/W Vail Mall, Vail, CO 81657 | 1 | |
| Ear Candy Music | 624 S. Higgins, Missoula MT 59801 | 1 | |
| Earshot | 1418 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607 | 2 | |
| ear-x-tacy | 2226 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40205 | 1 | |
| East West Music and More | 4895 S. Orange Ave, Orlando FL 32806 | 1 | |
| Easy Street Records | 20 Mercer St., Seattle, WA | 2 | |
| Edward McKay | 3514 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 | 1 | |
| Eide's Entertainment | 1121 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 | 1 | |
| Electric Fetus | 2000 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | 3 | |
| Encore Records | 1745 W. Anderson Lane, Austin TX 78757 | 1 | |
| End of an Ear | 2209 S 1st St C, Austin, TX 78709 | 1 | |
| Endangered Species | 24 N. Sandusky St, Delaware OH 43015 | 1 | |
| Ernie November | 1918 W 41st St, Sioux Falls SD 57105 | 5 | |
| Euclid Records | 601 E. Lockwood, St. Louis, MO 63119 | 1 | |
| Everyday Music | 1313 W. Burnside, Portland OR 97209 | 5 | |
| Exile on Main St. | 257 East Main St., Branford, CT 06405 | 1 | |
| Exile on Main St. | 1 Main St, #108, Champaign IL 61820 | 1 | |
| Eyeconik Records & Apparel | 116C Rt 23, Franklin NJ 07416 | 1 | |
| EZ2Collect | 3540 Broadway, Fair Lawn NJ 07410 | 1 | |
| Fantasyland Records | 360 Pharr Rd, NE, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30305 | 1 | |
| Fat Cats Books, Music & Movies | 965 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28607 | 1 | |
| Finders Records | 128 N. Main St, Bowling Green OH 43402 | 1 | |
| Fingerprints | 420 E. 4th St., Long Beach CA 90803 | 1 | |
| Freakbeat Records | 13616 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 | 1 | |
| Galaxy CDs | 94 N. Bookwood Ave, Hamilton OH 45013 | 1 | |
| Gallery of Sound | 180 Mundy St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 | 5 | |
| Georgetown Records | 1201 S. Vale St, Seattle WA 98108 | 1 | |
| Gold Million Records | 851 Lancaster Ave, Bryn Mawr PA 19010 | 1 | |
| Goner Records | 2152 Young Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 | 1 | |
| Good Records | 1808 Greenville Ave, Dallas TX 75206 | 1 | |
| Gravity Records | 125 S. Kerry Ave, Suite 1, Wilmington NC 28403 | 1 | |
| Graywhale | 208 S. 1300 E, Salt lake City, UT 84102 | 7 | |
| Green Light Music | 4717 W. K.L. Ave, Suite B, Kalamazoo MI 49006 | 1 | |
| Grimey's New and Preloved Music | 1604 8th Avenue S., Nashville, TN 37203 | 1 | |
| Groovacious | 173 N. 100 W, Cedar City, UT 84720 | 1 | |
| Guestroom Records | 125 E. Main St, Norman OK 73069 | 2 | |
| Halcyon The Shop | 57 Pearl St., Brooklyn, NY 11201 | 1 | |
| Harmony Records | 1625 Union Port Rad, Bronx, NY 10462 | 1 | |
| Harvest Records | 415 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806 | 1 | |
| Hear Again Music and Movies | 201 SE 2nd Ave Suite 105, Gainesville, FL 32601 | 1 | |
| Heavenly Daze CDs and Records | 565 N. Palore ave, Yuba City CA 95991 | 1 | |
| Hi Voltage Records | 2612 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98406 | 1 | |
| Hideaway Music | 8612 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA 19118 | 1 | |
| Homer's | 1210 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102 | 1 | |
| Hoodlums Music & Video | 6434 S. McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ | 1 | |
| Horizon Records | 2-A West Stone Ave, Greenville, SC 29609 | 1 | |
| Hot Poop | 210 E. Main St, Walla Walla WA | 1 | |
| Hungry Ear Records | 418 Kuulei Rd, Kailua, HI 96734 | 1 | |
| Hymie's Vintage Records | 3820 E. Lake St. Minneapolis, MN 55406 | 1 | |
| In the Moment Records | 143 Main St, Brattleboro VT 05301 | 1 | |
| Independent Records | 3020 East Platte Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 | 6 | |
| Indiewax Records | 6911 Market St, Suite 8, Youngstown OH 44512 | 1 | |
| Indy CD and Vinyl | 806 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220 | 1 | |
| Inherent Records | 2372 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland TN 37311 | 1 | |
| J&R Music World | 23 Park Row, New York, NY | 1 | |
| Jack's Music Shoppe | 30 Broad St, Red Bank, NJ 07701 | 1 | |
| Jackpot Records | 203 SW 9th Avenue, Portland OR 9725 | 1 | |
| Johnnys | 45 Tokeneke Rd, Darien, CT 06820 | 1 | |
| Karma | 21 N. Post Rd, Indianapolis IN 46219 | 3 | |
| Karma Records | 2856 Miller Dr, Plymouth IN 46563 | 2 | |
| Kief's Music | 2429 Iowa St, Lawrence KS 66046 | 1 | |
| Kim's Video & Music | 124 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009 | 1 | |
| Kiss The Sky | 301 W. State St, Geneva IL 60134 | 1 | |
| Lakeshore Record Exchange | 370 Park Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 | 1 | |
| Landlocked Records | 202 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, IN 47404 | 1 | |
| Last Record Store | 1899 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95401 | 1 | |
| Laurie's Planet of Sound | 4639 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL 60625 | 1 | |
| Listen Up! | One South Ave, Natick, MA 01760 | 1 | |
| Loco Record Shop | 4060 Rivers Ave, Charleston, SC 29405 | 1 | |
| Lone Star Music | 1243 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels TX 78130 | 1 | |
| Looney Tunes | 31 Brookvale Ave, West Babylon NY 11704 | 1 | |
| Looney Tunes II | 562 Kingstown Rd. Wakefield, RI 02879 | 1 | |
| Lou's Records | 448 N. Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024 | 1 | |
| Love Garden Sounds | 822 Mass St., Lawrence KS 66044 | 1 | |
| Lovell's Records | 6719 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier CA 90601 | 1 | |
| Luna Music | 5202 N. College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220 | 2 | |
| Lunchbox Records | 1419-A Central Ave, Charlotte, NC | 1 | |
| M-Theory Music | 915 W. Washington St, San Diego, CA 92103 | 1 | |
| Mad City Music Exchange | 600 Williamson St., Madison WI 53703 | 1 | |
| Magnolia Thunderpussy | 1155 North High St, Columbus, OH 43201 | 1 | |
| Main St. Jukebox | 606 Main St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 | 1 | |
| Main Street Music | 4444 Main St. Philadelphia, PA 19127 | 1 | |
| Melodies & Memories | 23013 Gratiot Ave, Eastpointe MI 48021 | 1 | |
| Mojo Books & Music | 2558 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 | 1 | |
| Moles Records | 111 Calhoun St., Cincinatti OH 45219 | 1 | |
| Monster Music | 946 Orleans Rd, Charleston, SC | 1 | |
| Moondog Music | 806 Wacker, Suite 120 Dubuque IA 52002 | 1 | |
| Mother's | 431 Main Ave, Moorhead, MN 56560 | 1 | |
| Movie Trading Company | 2397 S. Semmons Fwy, Lewisville, TX 75067 | 36 | |
| Music City | 3100 Vestal Parkway, Vestal NY 13850 | 1 | |
| Music Merchant | 157 Westwood Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675 | 1 | |
| Music Millennium | 3158 E Burnside, Portland OR | 1 | |
| Music Saves | 15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland OH 44110 | 1 | |
| Musicmania | 3909 D North IH 35th, Austin TX 78722 | 1 | |
| My Mind's Eye | 13723 Madison Ave, Lakewood OH 44107 | 1 | |
| NeatNeatNeat Records | 1836 S. Calhoun St. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 | 1 | |
| Newbury Comics | 5 Guest St, Brighton MA | 29 | |
| Newtown Book & Record | 102 S. State St, Newtown, PA 18940 | 1 | |
| North Georgia Compact Disc | 509 Beaver Ruin Rd, Norcross, GA 30041 | 1 | |
| Off The Record | 901 Summitview Suie 180, Yakima WA 98902 | 1 | |
| Origami Vinyl | 1816 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | 1 | |
| Other Music | 15 E. 4th St, New York, NY 10003 | 1 | |
| Oz Music | 506 14th St, Tuscaloosa AL 35401 | 1 | |
| Park Ave CDs | 2916 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803 | 1 | |
| Peaches Records | 408 N. Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130 | 1 | |
| Penny Lane Records | 1661 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91106 | 1 | |
| Pepperland Music | 850 N. Tustin St., Orange, CA 92867 | 1 | |
| Phoenix Records | 367 Bantam Road, Litchfield CT 06759 | 1 | |
| Phono Select Records | 2312 K St, Sacramento CA 95816 | 1 | |
| Plan 9 Music | 2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23221 | 2 | |
| Platterpus Records | 40 S. Addison Rd, Suite 200, Additon IL 60101 | 1 | |
| Porchlight Coffee and Records | 1515 14th Ave, Seattle WA 98122 | 1 | |
| Positively Records | 4153 Woerner Ave, Levittown PA 19057 | 1 | |
| Princeton Record Exchange | 20 S. Tulane Ave, Princeton, NJ 08542 | 1 | |
| Pure Pop Records | 115 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington VT 05402 | 1 | |
| Radio Kaos Records | 968 Main St, Stevens Point, WI 54401 | 1 | |
| Radioactive Records | 1930 B. East Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale FL 33304 | 1 | |
| Rainbow Music & Books | 34 E. Main St, Newark DE 19711 | 1 | |
| Rainbow Records | 421 N. Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL 60012 | 1 | |
| Ranch Records | 237 High St. NE Salem OR 97301 | 3 | |
| Rasputin Records | 2401 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley CA 94704 | 9 | |
| Reckless Records | 3126 N. Broadway, Chicago IL 60622 | 3 | |
| Record and Tape Exchange | 9448 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031 | 1 | |
| Record Archive | 33 1/3 Rockwood St, Rochester NY 14310 | 1 | |
| Record Breakers | 2105 S. State St., Chicago IL 60616 | 1 | |
| Record Cellar Audio Video | 427 Main St, Vincennes, IN 47591 | 1 | |
| Record Collector Inc | 116 S Linn St, Iowa City, IA 52240 | 1 | |
| Record Connection | 550 N. Reading Road, Ephrata, PA 17522 | 1 | |
| Record Room | 8 NE Killingsworth, Portland OR 97211 | 1 | |
| Record Theatre | 1800 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208 | 2 | |
| Recorded Memories | 1902 N. Hamilton, Spokane, WA 99207 | 2 | |
| Records & Tapes Galore | 1303 Court St, Saginaw MI 48602 | 1 | |
| Recycled Records | 604 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA 93940 | 1 | |
| Recycled Sounds | 909 O St., Lincoln NE 68508 | 1 | |
| Red Onion Records and Books | 1901 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009 | 1 | |
| Rediscover Records | 207 E. Chicago St, Elgin IL 60120 | 1 | |
| Redscroll Records | 24 N. Colony, Wallingford, CT 06492 | 1 | |
| Replay Records | 2586 Whitney Ave, Hamden CT 06518 | 1 | |
| Repo Records | 538 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 | 1 | |
| Requests | 10 N. Market St., Wailuku, HI 96793 | 1 | |
| Rhino Records/Mad Platter | 235 Yale Ave, Claremont, CA 91711 | 2 | |
| Rock & Roll Heaven | 1814 N. Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804 | 1 | |
| Rock Candy Music and more | 28124 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Saugus, CA 91350 | 1 | |
| Rockaway Records | 2395 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90039 | 1 | |
| Rockin Rudys | 237 Blaine, Missoula MT 59801 | 1 | |
| Saki | 3716 W. Fullerton, Chicago IL 60647 | 1 | |
| Salzer's Records | 5777 Valentine Rd, Ventura, CA 93003 | 1 | |
| Schoolkids | 2114 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607 | 2 | |
| Scotti's Record Shop | 351 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ | 2 | |
| Scratch N Spin | 513 12th St, Wes Columbus, SC 29169 | 1 | |
| Serious Sounds, Etc. | 6364 MLK Blvd, Houston, TX 77021 | 1 | |
| Shake It Records | 4156 Hamilton Ave, Cincinatti, OH 45223 | 1 | |
| Sidetracks Music | 216 W. Water St., Charlottesville, VA 22905 | 1 | |
| Sig's Lagoon | 3622 Main St. Suite E, Houston TX 77001 | 1 | |
| Silver Platters | 701 5th Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109 | 3 | |
| Sisters of Sound Music | 1214 C. Moro, Manhattan, KS 66502 | 1 | |
| Skullyz Records | 907 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116 | 1 | |
| Slackers | 8628 Mexico Road, O'Fallon MO 63366 | 11 | |
| Slow Train Records | 221 E. Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 | 1 | |
| Som Records | 1843 14th St NW, Washington DC 20009 | 1 | |
| Sonic Boom Records | 2209 NW Market St., Seattle, WA 98107 | 2 | |
| Sound Exchange | 1846 Richmond Ave, Houston TX 77098 | 1 | |
| Sound Fix | 44 Berry St, Brooklyn NY 11211 | 1 | |
| Sound It Out Records | 418 S Union St, Traverse City MI 49684 | 1 | |
| Sound Spectrum | 1264 S. Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach CA 92651 | 1 | |
| Soundcheck Records | 23 Broadway, Jim Thorpe PA 18229 | 1 | |
| Sounds Good Music | 1026 SE Port St. Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie FL, 34952 | 1 | |
| Soundwaves | 3509 Montrose, Houston, TX 77006 | 1 | |
| Southwest Sound | 922 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301 | 1 | |
| Spazz Records | 231 Trenton St., W. Monroe, LA 71291 | 1 | |
| Spoonful Records | 116 E. Long St, Columbus OH 43215 | 1 | |
| Square Records | 824 W. Market St, Akron OH 44303 | 1 | |
| Stinkweeds | 12 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85013 | 1 | |
| Stormy Records | 13210 Michigan Ave, Dearborn MI 48126 | 1 | |
| Strawberry Alarm Clock | 1626 MLK Jr. Way, Merced, CA 95340 | 1 | |
| Streetlight Records | 980 S. Bascom Ave, San Jose CA 95128 | 3 | |
| Strictly Discs | 1900 Monroe St, Madison WI 53711 | 1 | |
| Stylus Honolulu | 2615 S. King #A-301, Honolulu HI 96826 | 1 | |
| Sweat Records | 5505 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Fl 33137 | 1 | |
| Sweet Melissa | 146 South Park Square, Marietta GA 3060 | 1 | |
| That's Entertainment | 244 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA 01609 | 1 | |
| The Exchange | 761-R Beta Dr, Mayfield OH 44143 | 28 | |
| The Great Escape | 5400 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37209 | 4 | |
| The Groove | 1103 Calvin Ave, Nashville TN 37206 | 1 | |
| The Exclusive Company | 1669 N. Farwell Ave, Milwaukee WI 53202 | 8 | |
| The Long Ear | 2405 N. 4th St., Coeur D'Alene, ID 83814 | 1 | |
| The Mushroom | 1037 Broadway, New Orleans LA 70118 | 1 | |
| The Old School Records | 7446 W. Madison Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130 | 1 | |
| The Record Collector | 358 Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown NJ 08505 | 1 | |
| The Record Exchange | 105 W. Idaho St, Boise ID 83702 | 1 | |
| The Record King | 303 Main St, Hackensack NJ 07601 | 1 | |
| The Record Lounge | 503 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823 | 1 | |
| The Record Rack | 7767 E. Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach, FL 33062 | 1 | |
| The Record Store | 6299 Rt 9 North, Howell NJ, 07731 | 1 | |
| The Sound Garden | 1616 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231 | 2 | |
| The Telegraph | 19 Golden St, New London CT 06320 | 1 | |
| Tom's Music Trade | 57 N. Main St, Red Lion PA 17356 | 1 | |
| Top 5 Records | 19 Sandalwood Ct | 1 | |
| Toxic Beauty Records | 220 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs OH 45387 | 1 | |
| Tracks Records | 415 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington IN 47408 | 1 | |
| Trax on Wax | 709 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228 | 1 | |
| Tres Gatos | 470 Centre St, Jamaica Plain MA 02130 | 1 | |
| Triple Play Records | 530 Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81505 | 1 | |
| Tunes | 910 Berlin Road Voorhees NJ 08043 | 5 | |
| Twist & Shout | 2508 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80206 | 1 | |
| UHF Music | 512 South Washington, Royal Oak MI 43067 | 1 | |
| Uncle Sams Music | 1141 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 | 1 | |
| Vacation Records | 3815 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | 1 | |
| Val's Halla Records | 239 Harrison St, Oak Park, IL 60304 | 1 | |
| Vertigo Music | 449 Penn Ave, West Reading PA 19611 | 1 | |
| Vertigo Music | 129 S. Division, Grand Rapids MI 49503 | 1 | |
| Vinal Edge | 13171 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77014 | 1 | |
| Vintage Vinyl | 6610 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130 | 1 | |
| Vintage Vinyl | 51 Lafayette Road, Fords NJ 08863 | 1 | |
| Vintage Vinyl Records | 925 Davis St., Evanston, IL 60201 | 1 | |
| Vinyl Renaissance & Audio | 10922 Shawnee Mission Pkway, Shawnee KS 66203 | 1 | |
| Von's Records | 319 W. State St, West Lafayette IN 47906 | 1 | |
| Waiting Room Records | 113 W. North St, Normal IL 61761 | 1 | |
| Warbler Records and Goods | 131 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara CA 93101 | 1 | |
| Waterloo Records & Video | 600 North Lamar, Austin TX 78703 | 1 | |
| Watts Music | 1211 Grant Ave, Novato CA 94945 | 1 | |
| Wax N Facts | 432 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | 1 | |
| Wax Trax Records | 638 E. 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203 | 1 | |
| Webster Records | 117 W. Lockwood, Webster Groves, MO 63119 | 1 | |
| Wicked Discs | 406 S. Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 13213 | 1 | |
| Wooden Nickel Music | 3627 N. Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46801 | 1 | |
| Woodstock Music Shop | 6 Rock City Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498 | 1 | |
| Wuxtry Records | 197 E. Clayton St, Athens GA 30601 | 2 | |
| Wyatt Earp Records | 5204 Corunns Road, Flint MI 48532 | 1 | |
| Young Ones | 59 Constitution Blvd, Kutztown PA 19530 | 1 | |
| Zia Records | 21002 N 19th Ave, Suite 120, Phoenix AZ 85027 | 8 | |
| ZZZ Records | 2200 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312 | 1 | |
As you can see, a pretty extensive list and KUDOS to those stores for not having anything to hide and committing to the pledge. These are the stores ***YOU SHOULD SPEND YOUR MONEY AT ON RECORD STORE DAY FIRST***. If there are stores in your city that say that they "participate" in Record Store Day, but haven't signed the pledge, then they don't have your best interests in mind. Their goal is likely to sell product in stores/online/on Ebay and make as much money as they can. They also, may over price items, to make it not worthwhile for you to buy it (like the store in Atlanta that Eric Levin mentioned in his interview). Again, you have a choice to vote with your wallet. You don't have to support *any* stores for not signing the pledge, but if you are, at least go to stores that signed the pledge first.
Here are some stores that I know of, that aren't on this list (maybe their signed pledge is "on it's way")
- Sound Exchange in Tampa, FL
- Forever Young Records in Arlington, TX
- Size Records in Oklahoma City, OK
- Starship Records in Tulsa, OK
- Hyde and Zeke's in Gainesville, FL
- Wayward Records in Gainesville, FL
- Rush Mor Records in Milwaukee, WI
- Ear Wax Records in Madison, WI
- Long in the Tooth in Philadelphia, PA
- Used Kids Records in Columbus, OH
- Lost Weekend Records in Columbus, OH
- Singing Dog Records in Columbus, OH
- Eclipse Records in St. Paul, MN
- Extreme Noise in Minneapolis, MN
- Mod Lang in El Cerrito, CA
- Singles Going Steady in Seattle, WA
- Green Noise in Portland, OR
- 2nd Ave Records in Portland, OR
- Armageddon Records in Providence, RI
- The Time Capsule in Cranston, RI or Seekonk, MA
- Rebel Sound Records in Pittsfield, MA
- Round Again in Providence, RI
- Hogwild Records in San Antonio, TX
- Retro Records in Orlando
- Soundsations in LA, CA
- Headline Records in LA, CA
- Vinyl Solution in Huntington Beach, CA
- Reactionary Records in Atlanta, GA
- Full Moon Records in Atlanta, GA
- Permanent Records in Chicago, IL
- Beautiful World Syndicate in Philadelphia, PA
- Noise Pollution in Philadelphia, PA
- Champion Ship Records in Lemoyne, PA
- Round Again Records in Providence, RI
- Luke's Records in Pawtucket, RI
- Generation Records in NYC, NY
- Bleeker Street Records in NYC, NY
- Bleeker Bob's in NYC, NY
- Speakertree Records in Lynchburg, VA
- Shangri-La Records in Memphis, TN
- Hold Fast Records in Asbury Park, NJ
- Rewound Sounds in Wichita, KS
- Bullseye Records in Milwaukee, WI
- Jerry's Record Exchange in Denver, CO
- Treehouse Records in Minneapolis, MN
- Everybody's Records in Cincinnati, OH
- Smash Records in Washington, DC
- Melody Record Shop in Washington, DC
- Yesterday and Today Records in Jacksonville, FL
Do you see a local store you have done business with that *hasn't* signed the pledge? Post it in the comments and I'll update this list. As a CUSTOMER, you should ask them WHY they didn't sign the pledge. Why would they not want to get 'first dibs' on RSD product? Why would they not honor a 30 day window to not sell on Ebay? What excuse is there to not sign it?
Remember to reward your business and money with the stores who signed the pledge, you'll have a better time (better events/live acts/etc.), have access to better products (first dibs on RSD items) and feel safe knowing that going into the store, you won't overpay for any items.
The pledge is a GREAT IDEA and we should THANK THE STORES for SIGNING IT! Don't you agree?? If so, then please put this link on your BLOG/TWITTER! Spread the word and let's reward those stores with less than 30 days to go for Record Store Day with our business!
IF YOU ARE A STORE THAT SIGNED THE PLEDGE, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE A SIGN IN YOUR STORE STATING THE YOU SIGNED THE PLEDGE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT, EDUCATE YOUR CUSTOMERS! ALLOW THEM TO KNOW WHY THEY SHOULD SPEND MONEY AT YOUR STORE FIRST, VERSUS A NON-PLEDGE STORE IN THE SAME MARKET!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
2nd & FINAL Interview with RSD Co-Founder and Criminal Records Owner, ERIC LEVIN
I had a few people e-mail me some questions and I had some of my own questions I wanted to follow-up with based on his answers and things I forgot to ask. So again, I want to thank Eric Levin for taking the time out of his hectic schedule to answer these questions. Thanks to everyone who has read this interviews, posted them on your Facebook and Twitter and spread the word about Record Store Day!!!
1) When the finalized list of releases finally appears on www.recordstoreday.com, would it be possible to highlight which releases will be "exclusive" for the day and which releases will be widely available for months afterwards? This way, since over 300 items are being released, the customer can budget and know which items should be priority to obtain, versus an item they can pick up when they get their next paycheck.
Eric Levin: "Absolutely, I think everyone's going to be delighted with our final list, which we're designing to include all pertinent information----from quantities produced, showing the album cover, the track listing, the label, the UPC code, where it was replicated, the country of origin and where the artist might be doing an in-store on RSD. In a perfect world, it will be all fancy and coded and super handy, so you can print it out in advance and start your checklist.
It's going to be good (as good as we can make it) and I'm sure that we'll gather some feedback and build towards making a better list next year. But this year, the "windowed" releases (edit: Releases that are exclusive to RSD stores for a short period of time, such as 4 weeks), titles that are making it out in time for RSD, will be on a different list. The regional releases, e.g 300-500 unit special "local" releases (or the like) will be shown on a third list.
Of course, that speaks to the lateness of the official release list, as some of the decisions are still being made, some things are already in the warehouse. Every minute, I receive another e-mil that a title has been changed, dropped, didn't exist in the first place or are already sold out with no hope of being allocated to a store. There's mayhem at the store level right now, as stores are receiving good news and bad news. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is math. We have, as of today, 587 (edit: only 587? Shame if you are a store and didn't sign this!) stores that have signed our pledge, and those stores get first dibs on all of these items.
The My Morning Jacket (MMJ) titles, for example, are a great case. They are only making 500 each (with 100 copies going to the band for their collections and friends), so try doing the math. Only 400 copies available to 587 stores? Basically somebody isn't going to get the record they want, sadly.
I know already that my own store got totally hosed on the Secretly Canadian releases, I don't think we are getting any. Yeasayer, Superchunk, none of it. Luck of the draw and as I've pointed out, my store doesn't get any special love because I work for the RSD organization. Just like I didn't receive dozens of titles last year, it will still be the same thing this year. You can't always get what you want right? As I did last year, the customers would say "Let me have the Hold Steady, Surfer Blood, Drive by Truckers and Vanguard reissues" and we'd just smile and apologize and sympathize and explain that we didn't receive those items. Invariably, the customer will look down at their list and say "Okay, let me have the Soundgarden, the Tom Waits and one of those Rodriguez 7"s."
It seems that the only people who are really upset are the Ebay scumbags who aren't going to be able to flip their purchases and take advantage of people. The true music fans always shrug and then pick their next treats."
2) One of the constant themes in your interview was that RSD was a volunteer organization run by a select, few individuals. If the general public wanted to help volunteer, would there be any opportunities to help? Or are you looking for more of your peers/fellow record store owners to help participate. I am sure you would be surprised at the number of people who'd want to help RSD continue and make it better (including myself)
EL: "Yeah, that was a call to arms, I suppose, and a lot of people responded, and I was caught off guard. I don't have a place for any volunteers nationally, but locally? At this point, every RSD fan should have their favorite indie store or stores. The person who shows up for a Bruce Springsteen 7" and some free beer and goes home, I don't expect that person to volunteer. If a customer has that special relationship with an indie store, tell them you're ready to help them. Offer to stand by the door and keep an eye out for shoplifters or other problems; bake a cake and bring it down to the store; offer to man the station service the cake; walk around cleaning up empty beer cans and plates; help make sure the bands are comfortable and have what they need; run to the store for more beer or help keep the line hydrated, educated and entertained.
There are so many opportunities to help out your grateful indie record store. Some labels and distributors have reached out to RSD with this very idea, like, Megaforce would adopt a store for the day and just try and help. Maybe they use office equipment at their work to help print signs, maybe they make those duratrans (backlit display) for the lightboxes (all of our logos are here: www.recordstoreday.com/Page/984). Design a celebratory t-shirt for your favorite store, print them up and let the stores sell them. Henry from Chunklet magazine did that for us last year, it was just a gift of 3 dozen t-shirts. He said, "Here's some shirts that are $15.00 each, you're the only store that has them, enjoy!"
The easiest thing to do to help? Use those banners at the above URL and spread the word."
3) Labels are cutting back on resources and manpower. They have turned fans into "Street Teams". EMI is up for sale right now. With the constant flux going on in the industry, do labels have a "dedicated" Record Store Day liaison to help you out, or is it just a random person that changes each month/year? If there is no liaison, do you think having one might help with the lack of communication and other issues you've addressed previously?
EL: "Every label is working as hard as they can with fewer staff members and smaller budgets. There's been a deleterious cause and effect from the current state of the music economy, be it the devaluation of music or just the wholesale outright stealing of music, the effect is prevalent.
Labels can't make money selling records these days, for the most part. Bands can't make money on tour, because gas is too high and high ticket prices mean less people attend shows and buy merchandise.
Do we have liaisons for RSD? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Often, I'm talking with the label and manager directly, who will tell their labels what to do. Sometimes I'm working with the President of a company, sometimes, well....I have to explain RSD from the ground up and talk people into participating.
If the world started buying more music, the labels would hire more people, bands would be better promoted and more bands would be signed; not dropped. The collapse of the music industry, right before our very eyes, is something we should all be ashamed of. Watch, as we head into the future without the economic support of the arts---the number of movies will shrink, novels will be abandoned or not published, journalism is a thing of the past. I don't think these are positive things.
One of the saddest things I heard recently, a record store owner friend of mine who has historically releases a lot of records, when asked about what records he has working on for this year said "What's the point????" This is a guy who has released a lot of local bands, some of whom have gone on to fame and fortune. He has released dozens of records, not one of them profitable, but all of them works of art. He's out of that business now because his main business (the record store) isn't profitable. This is sad, but its the same story for all labels, big and small. In the absence of profit potential or the hopes of breaking even, less records and art will be made. Bummer."
4) Do you think RSD releases should be driven by the band/management or the label itself?
EL: "Both and/or all. Like the recent Lady Gaga thing, where she backed out of her deal of a Target exclusive because of Target's history of divisive donations and disdain for GLBT concerns. Or U2 and their history of exclusive deal making, or hell, all of them who have sold their integrity for the almighty dollar. I've read lots of editorials/blogs that Lady Gaga didn't know who she was getting into bed with, that it was all her label and management. Same with U2, same with all of them, and I just cry total bullshit! Now, Lady Gaga may not have know that her label was putting out a Record Store Day 12" Picture Disc, that seems like a strictly label idea, but for those artists, to hide behind their labels and management, there's just no way.
When we really get something awesome happening, like the Foo Fighters mega-promotion, it has involved everyone from Dave himself, to his manager, to me, to my other RSD partners and we've come up with something crazy special. The White Limo tour, if you are familiar, is a cross-country limo ride with the Foo Fighters blasting the new album, culminating in a yet-to-be-announced in-store appearance on RSD and a yet to be announced LP component that is going to blow minds when completed.
On the opposite side, you have Sony, releasing a Jakob Dylan 7" in celebration of RSD last year. That Jakob ****** was on NPR on Record Store Day last year, joking with the DJ about how there aren't record stores any longer and this was on OUR DAY, when we're trying to sell his shitty RSD 7". This was obviously just a label project, some crap pushed through the system and shame on me for ordering it in the first place. Having the guy rub my nose in it, was a little harsh, I mean it is his business that supports his way of life and he just trashes it.
I can understand if a truck drive or waiter doesn't know that record stores are alive and well, but a touring and working musician? Someone who conceivably goes from city to city playing shows, but never looked up from the back of the tour bus and saw a record store?? Pity."
5) A little over a year ago, RSD came out with "Vinyl Saturday". Although it started promising with releases by Green Day, Wilco, Beastie Boys, etc.; it soon died. It appeared that the labels were unable to keep up with being able to produce new products every month. What happened and could it be resurrected?
EL: "Wow, tough one. Vinyl Saturday was a good idea, but it was just beyond us when we launched it. After a few years under our belts, we've learned some things and I think our Back to Black Friday was the outcome. Our goal is to have RSD services for indie record stores and our customers all year long, how that's going to take shape? We'll find out."
6) Some stores have "claimed" that labels have shifted releases to the Tuesday before RSD (April 12th) to ensure their products are in store prior to RSD. Allegedly, one problem is that the labels have raised prices on these items, almost making them seem like a "premium product" is being released, when any other day of the year it would not have the same price point. Is there anything you or the stores could do to stop this practice, other than vote with your wallets and not bring in product on that Tuesday?
EL: "Hmmm, there are issues, but I haven't seen any price gouging. That just sounds like somebody complaining without any actual facts. Like, traditionally, labels want to put their records out in the fourth quarter to take advantage of the increased visibility of Christmas shopping traffic and that's what we're seeing here. Also, with the success of RSD, folks are looking at the 3rd Saturday of April as a potential release date, or to be near it. Good idea or bad idea, I'm not sure yet.
For example, I'm working with the Smithereens, who have a record coming out the week before. Is this good timing or bad? Will the mom who was sent down to pick up the Green Day 7" (or whatever somebody wants), see the Smithereens while waiting in line and pick it up? I hope so.
I promise that nobody is ever going to force somebody to spend money on RSD."
7) Some major labels, will tend to list the "exclusive" RSD product on their own label webstore or band's webpage before Record Store Day happens. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of Record Store Day and supporting an Independent Record Store (and thus the tax revenue on the release which is lost and not spread to the community)?
EL: "Always a conundrum. D2C, they call that, direct to consumer. I think most record stores would prefer that the labels and bands didn't do that, but sometimes, that's the only way to get them done. Bands need road money too. Of course, not every release is the Yeasayer or Black Angels piece from LITA, not all are going to sell out, so sometimes, these labels and artists need the benefit of D2C sales, simply to be able to afford to make the product. If they're selling before RSD? We won't accept it as part of RSD, and if you know of any, please let me know immediately.
For instance, we don't want sloppy seconds. No ITUNES exclusive and thenyou get it. Fuck that. Though in cases like, the Flaming Lips (last year) or the Gorillaz (this year), sometimes the pieces are so compelling and fit so perfectly in the rest of the band's canon that there demands a release. As I've stated before, it's not like we can tell a label what to do.
Can you believe, in the early days, labels used to ask us if we wanted to give away digital download cards on RSD? The naivety and lack of real world knowledge in our industry is sometimes comical, but most times, just causes stomach aches. Try teaching a label president, who used to work at a cell phone company, or a bankrupt digital service how to market and sell a record. The inmates have truly taken over the asylum, but that's fine, in the long run these poorly managed companies will shed their rosters and the indie community will be able to pick up where they left off. Without the massive overheads of overseas companies, they can actually be profitable and for once, share the proceeds with the artists. We're approaching an entire music industry revolution, and it isn't all bad."
8) A band was trying to get their record pressed recently and the pressing plant was backed up still pressing records for RSD. Since there is such a huge lead time needed to get these releases to the public (deadline in January), the ability to create a "surprise" or last minute item is limited or nearly impossible, correct?
EL: "Interesting and I'd say unequivocally "NO!!" I'm still getting surprised on a daily basis, surprised by the announcements, questions and requests. The list is going out shortly, and you've been publishing your list and still there will be surprises leading up to the day.
Nobody has reported on the goodie bags, the value adds that will be given away to the first customers. We've got amazing stuff, from buttons and stickers (yeah, not too amazing), but lots of CD and stuff to give away. Awesome RSD bags from WB, even a free CD from our RSD counterparts in France, named "Le Disquaire Day". Three special edition magazines--Utne Reader, Decibel and a special Coachella piece that's really cool. There are gospel samplers going to the Christian stores and both Sony and UMG are doing "urban" samplers who are going to more urban stores.
Record pressing plants are busy, no doubt, but I haven't talked to one that is backed up. I think a lot of times people blame the replicators when they don't have their own shit together. Once, Gotta Groove out of Cleveland, OH, turned around a 7" for me in 6 days. It's not hard people, it's work."
9) The first year of Record Store Day, saw a vinyl 12" sampler called "Choice Cuts" and another sample called "Record Store Day' that featured Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, etc. Are there any plans to create these vinyl samplers in the future?
EL: "Those were cool, kind of. They were really fun to work on, but just too expensive to produce, ship and coordinate. As we all know, the labels don't have any extra money lying around. This year it was "shall we fire seven more people, or make this free record?". We urged and cautioned, please make CD samplers, because we need the quantity for the money. I want the first customer through the door to have as much free stuff and fun as the last customer, and with 587 official stores, you can imagine how many free CD samplers (or free "anything") the labels would have to produce.
Sadly, our industry is suffering too much from the current state of music thievery to produce much in the way of promotional material.
I say "cool, kind of", because they are neat. I have copies of all of them myself, they hearken back to a time when you could buy a label sampler as a subscription and you could really hear new music. Now? Music is so easy to hear right now, that I'm not sure an LP is the best delivery method for a Various Artists compilation. You listen to the two or three things you want to hear, and then you shelve it. For promotional purposes, I feel the CD does the trick fine."
10) You mentioned previously (in the last interview) that you were concerned about the vinyl renaissance based on what the labels are doing. What do you see as potential 'speed bumps' to the success of vinyl that has been publicized by USA Today, NPR, Billboard and others?
EL: "Price and quality. Some releases are some of the greatest records ever produced, some of the WB Pallas output, anything on Numero, Light in the Attic, MoFi, ORG, etc. When the right care is put into a release, from the re-mastering specifically for vinyl, to the choice of replicator and quality of vinyl (e.g. 180g), there is simply a right way and a wrong way.
The Indies all get it, they've never forgotten it, it is the majors that simply don't see the dollar value in a niche item, so they are pumping out some of the worst crap ever. You can just hear it on some of them, like, this is just an expensive CD on an LP. That will hurt us, because I fear someone is going to buy an expensive record, expecting to be blown away and it's just not going to deliver the results.
At Criminal, we sell a lot of turntables, from cheap ($74.99) to expensive ($899.99), from Crosley to Pro-Ject. I always talk customers out of those garbage cheap turntables, cool if you're putting in your dorm room or on your patio, but a real bad-ass turntable that you can leave for your kids, along with your records. Build and leave a legacy, as you aren't building anything of value in your hard drive. Fuck that new IPad which is going to be out of date in 6 months and stuck forever in a landfill in 12 months.
Thankfully, we still have record stores. Places were you can go for the advice, like which turntable to buy and how to set it up. Hell, I've left work and gone to dozens of my customers homes to balance their tone arms and get them setup. Customers come in daily for a little help and care, replacing a cartridge here, fixing a loose belt another day. Can you imagine buying a turntable at Best Buy? A record? What would they do if you opened it and it was scratched? I can't imagine."
END. Thanks again to Eric. And I hope EVERYONE enjoys and participates in RECORD STORE DAY. If you know someone who like music, listens to the radio, listens to mp3's, watches YouTube videos, goes to concerts, etc. ......they need to know. EDUCATE the glory of RECORD STORE DAY. Support and help your local store. Their future depends on your $$$$.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
**EXCLUSIVE** Interview with RSD Co-founder Eric Levin of Criminal Records in Atlanta
I want to thank Eric Levin for taking the time to answer some questions that anyone who is a fan of Record Store Day is curious about. Some questions I ask, there is no "perfect" answer for. A lot of things are in flux right now (remember RSD is run by *volunteers*), but the one thing that comes across is the passion behind Eric's answers and wanting to do the best for his customers and for fans of Record Store Day. I think that is really the "heart" of Record Store Day and why it is so successful. It is a time for fans of all ages to come together and share stories about their favorite records, why vinyl sounds better than CDs, talk about what releases they are most excited about and enjoy food/drinks with like-minded fans.
1) In your opinion, do you feel that Record Store Day has gotten too big, with the number of releases? If so, what are you and the other RSD figureheads doing to ensure that this doesn't happen next April?
Eric Levin: "I had personal fear last year that there was going to be a flood of releases for 2011, and I have loudly expressed my opinions at every opportunity. In every meeting, from the largest labels to the smallest, I've urged caution not to harm the golden goose of the vinyl resurgence by over producing. Not even considering RSD, I have concern for the vinyl movement.
That being said, and this is potentially in response to all haters, from a customer who thinks a Lady Gaga 12" is stupid, to a label who thinks their record is somehow more precious than another's, to a fan who just, for whatever reason missed out on getting exactly what they wanted, to our foreign counterparts who complain that they aren't being treated fairly, but have not volunteered one minute of volunteer time to effect a change....well, there are a lot of world-wide opinions and desires to be addressed.
The biggest point I can make is that RSD volunteers, can offer advice and even wisdom to all parties, artists, labels, distributors, stores, customers, et. al and only offer advice and suggestions. We have no say in what Sony or Universal chooses to do, we have no say in what Matador chooses to do. It would be arrogant and inappropriate for us to make demands ds on any producers, and frankly, after thirty plus years in this business, the only business that takes my personal advice to heart, is my personal business.
In our limited capacity, however, we're doing as much as we can. There are also lots of different players out there in this game, big stores (like your commenter from Canada mentioned, Sunrise Records, a chain (but an independently owned chain who has contributed man hours and cash to help RSD get off the ground and continue to run), I'm not sure what the anonymous Canadian complainer on your web site has done, but if he made a good record this year, I'd love to know about it and have the opportunity to buy it) to the littlest store that only sells used dubstep records on alternating weekends. Oh yeah, plus the rest of the world. Simultaneously trying to celebrate, please and profit. Remember, RSD is managed by about four to five volunteers..
Complaints and opinions are always great and listened to, but folks have to understand that, well, complaints and opinions are kind of universal. I have some, you have some, everyone
2) As a store owner yourself, how do you balance obtaining RSD product for your store and attempting to make the customer happy?
EL: "Wow, great question. It's hard, it's incredibly hard. Criminal Records is celebrating our twentieth anniversary next month, I say that, because, well to show that I'm down in it. I am taking out loans to purchase extra product for RSD. I've heard many stores say that they have to do the same, and some are complaining about it and some are excited about it. I totally over-ordered last year, trying to be all things to all comers. We ordered stuff we'd never have carried in our store, like Jakob Dylan and Dave Matthews. I wanted any customer to see Criminal Records and go, "Oh, awesome, I get it now, I'm invited to come in here and have fun, even though I like Ke$sha and that dude behind the counter looks like he might like Slayer." (Ultimately, that's the entire point of RSD.)
So, yeah, I ordered too much. I've got a ton of unsold Jakob Dylan and Charlotte Gainsbourg 7's that are in the racks at half-price, I still have product from the first RSD, priced to sell, or priced fairly (no gouging at my store, ever.).
We had our busiest day in twenty years, hot damn, but I had so much left over that I probably didn't profit any. I also released my own record, which was a Rodriguez 7" that included a ticket to get into an after hours show with Rodriguez, who I had personally flown down to Atlanta, put up and took care of. I hired a local pick up band, as his backing group, and I had the best party at my store that I've ever been to! The party was day long with free beer, local businesses bringing us BBQ/pizzas, customers bringing us baked goodies to share, other record dealers and customers setting up a mini-record fair outside, and bands playing all day long. That, in my opinion, is RSD. Throwing a bitchin' party and having fun.
For all this agita, drama, complaining, whining about all this product, it's like, "get over your damn self, whoever you are, and have some fun." That goes out to everyone.
But I digress, how does a record store handle all this purchasing and merchandising? How does a customer handle all of this?
Are these questions different then an average day? New release Tuesday, or a trip to the grocery store?
A store needs to purchase what they can afford, for their customers and hopefully the customers will budget and buy what they want. It seems kind of simple to me.
I'm doing what every other store is doing, paying down my bills with my suppliers, saving cash for COD orders, talking to everyone I can about terms, dating, return--everything I do on a daily business day, except there are around 300 pieces to choose from this year. I do that every day. Which records do we buy? Which comics do we buy? Which toys do we buy? Which magazines will sell?
This is what we call business, and I do sometimes want to say to the complainers, like, what do you do every other day of the year? Who do you bitch at?
As far as our attempts to make the customer happy, I have practices at my own store, I learn practices from other stores. I've learned from the prior three years, and as we'll talk about below, we've created a "pledge" to try and teach best business practices to our fellow record stores. We can't make anyone do anything, every record store is encouraged and entitled to celebrate in their own way on RSD (well, except corporate stores, of course), but the pledge that the "official" stores have signed on to go a long way to teaching best practices and rewarding those that do.
I hate to be all, Criminal Records this, Criminal Records that, because it's a level playing field. The work I do for RSD and for the coalitions includes everybody, yesterday I was lining up in-stores for a CIMS store, an unaffiliated store, my own store, all equal footing. I'm trying to get Ke$ha to stop by AKA in Philadelphia, but I don't know if Ke$ha wants to, and I don't know if AKA wants her to come, but I'm up on the Internet looking at tour dates and trying to make awesome happen. I'm trying to get the Smithereens to stop their tour van somewhere between New York and their next stop in Vermont. I have to find a store that's signed the pledge, is awesome, and wants the Smithereens to stop by and say hey. (Oh yeah, did I mention that this is the whole world now? Did I mention that we're volunteers?)
[EDIT: the below example is what *all* stores participating in RSD should do. It should never be a "free for all" once the door opens.]
So, at Criminal Records, we're there all night before RSD. We're checking in massive amounts of stuff (we ask that all stuff be shipped very late, so that stuff doesn't leak out early.), we're cleaning and merchandising, we're tweaking PA, backline, recording equipment, printing up signs and setting out parking cones and stanchions for crowd control. When the line starts forming around 5am, we start serving coffee and bottled water to the crowd, talking them up about what they're excited about, we're running back and forth trying to answer questions like: "What's on the b-side?", "Do you have the colored version?" and yes, a lot of the early dudes in line are the "collector's scum" that are racing home to eBay to rape folks.
This is when we start learning what we missed out on. "What do you mean there are no Drive by Truckers?" (This being Atlanta, this is a big deal.) Everyone's racing around trying to find out what's what with what's wrong and what's missing. These questions won't be solved until later in the week, or never, as boxes start showing up, "Oh, here are those Drive by Truckers."
To every complaining store that whines about not getting their precious item, well guess what, me too! I help run the fucking thing so shut the fuck up.
We start letting folks in ten at a time, to avoid stampedes. I have four cashiers and runners finding stuff for folks, while extra crew is warming up the PA and setting up the bands and the films we show in between. We have a limit of one item per customer, per item, no exceptions. First guy through grabs a Devo hat off the counter, we have four of them, we've been asked to take pictures of people wearing them and send back to the label and Devo, one of the hundreds of requests we receive for special quid pro quo's, i.e. we'll give you these cool hats if you post a picture. Fair deal, sure.
This dude, collector scum extraordinaire, asks a volunteer (many of our customers hung out all day, just helping where they could, so awesome) and she mistakenly told him he could have it. After he bought like, all his collector's stuff, he was walking out the door with the hat. I kindly explained, "Aw man, that hat is for us to take pictures of on people all day, may I take your pic?" He gave me an unreal rash of shit, like "she said I could have it and the customer is always right." I turned around to the rest of the watching customers who were like, "dude, what a dick" and said "guys, what do you think?"
Everybody just started screaming at the dude to be for real and share and to give me my hat back. What a way to start RSD, and we hadn't even cut the big cake yet.
For the rest of the day, for the most part, it was love, and food, and music...as customers opened up their purchases and asked us to DJ some of the hotness. At Criminal Records, my staff, myself included, aren't allowed to purchase anything until Sunday morning, when we're cleaning up. (I scored a Fela Kuti 10", yes!)
I found out the next day a record store in Atlanta, who chose not to participate in RSD ("Record Store Day is stupid, Eric.") somehow got a hold of some RSD releases and was celebrating by charging his few customers eBay pricing the day of RSD. Wow, right? $20.00 for records that I had at $5.99. I can only shake my head and hope that the customer, I don't know, I hope they had a good time. Or something.
I think, along with the pledge and what the pledge truly says, we're going to go a long way towards teaching record stores how to be better record stores."
3) Record Stores this year had to sign a "pledge" that provided them some rules about being able to participate in RSD. Can you talk about why the pledge was created and how you plan to enforce it, if at all?
EL: Oh, the pledge. Right. I think I just described it, but here it is. http://download.recordstoreday.com/free/2011_RECORD_STORE_DAY_PLEDGE.pdf
STORES WHO WISH TO BE PLACED ON THE PRIORITY ALLOCATION LIST FOR COMMERCIAL RECORD STORE DAY PRODUCT SHOULD DOWNLOAD, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PLEDGE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 15, 2011. (US STORES ONLY)
Below are some things that Record Store Day requests that stores do or don’t do in order to be placed on the list of stores given Priority Allocation of Record Store Day releases. These are all things designed to keep customer and store disappointment at a minimum. Please read through them.
1. Product created for Record Store Day will be sold in physical retail stores.
2. Stores will not sell Record Store Day releases online, nor will orders be taken online for later shipping, prior to that year’s actual Record Store Day.
3. Product remaining after Record Store Day can be put up on a store’s website the day after Record Store Day, but stores will not hold product back from physical customers in order to post it online, nor will set prices online be markedly above in-store prices.
4. If a store uses an auction site (like Ebay or any other site where the seller can not list a firm sale price) to sell overstock Record Store Day pieces, they should wait at least one month from Record Store Day to do so.
5. Because of the limited quantity of some items and the necessity of allocating, stores are asked not to take pre-orders for Record Store Day product. In the past, this has resulted in customers not receiving items they have paid for.
If you would like to be on the list of those stores who have agreed to play by the rules and be given priority on the releases created for Record Store Day, please sign below and return to Record Store Day (See below). (Again, please understand that being on this list does not guarantee that all stores will get every piece they order. Allocations and sellouts will happen, and Record Store Day has no control over that. ) Any store on this list who doesn't follow the requests above will be taken off the list, and will no longer be listed on the Record Store Day website as a participating store.
EL: "Okay, but what kind of teeth does it have? We do our best, we coordinate with the labels, distros and suppliers, that ARE dealing with us and participating "officially" and we ask them to honor the pledge themselves, selling only stuff to pledge stores.
This is the first year for it, and I think it will have some positive results, we'll discover what works and doesn't and continue to tweak.
But there are always participants (artists, labels, distributors, one-stops, stores) that will try and gank the system, take advantage of others' hard work and generally just give a fuck all except for themselves and their bottom line. Those stores? Well, it's up to the customer to reward them with their money or not. "
4) Has there been any talk about staggering Record Store Day or having more than one RSD? And as a follow up, will there be another Black Friday this year?
EL: "Oh wow, so interesting. My reaction to Black Friday and the AIMS stance/vote was "NO!". RSD should be one day a year, let's not ruin the good name. We were out-voted and Black Friday came and went, and you know, it was a great success. Shit, we were wrong. Okay, that can happen. Can you imagine that the labels got dollar signs in their eyes and are trying to make money? Shock.
My goal with RSD is to provide an umbrella organization for Record Stores, nationally and globally. All year long, I want to offer services to indie record stores and I want us to be able to speak as a loud unified voice. To our industry, to our government and to our customers, we want to say, "hey, party over here." (We also want to say lots of other things, like, "Don't make so many shitty expensive records," "Don't whore yourselves out to Target or Wal-Mart," "Don't shit where you eat, i.e. music specialty retailers.") Now that we have an apparatus to speak to a lot of stores, we might be able to, well....help.
For example, every single advertisement you see, in a print magazine, on-line, anywhere, will encourage the music consumer to shop at either Amazon or iTunes (where no tax revenue goes to where you live, btw) and now, we're begging our label partners to consider putting the RSD logo on those ads, too. Seems like a simple idea, right? Let's advertise music the way movie companies do, they don't say, "You must go to AMC theaters," they say "This movie is out, go see it at any theater."
If you take that notion further, it gets pretty exciting."
5) The "Record Store Day" logo/stamp/sticker that is put on releases, lets the consumer know that this item is OFFICIALLY tied to RSD. However, there are many labels that are releasing items on the same day without the logo/stamp/sticker. How do you feel about that and is there any way to try and curb that in the future?
EL: “Yeah, what a pain, right? Like last year, I had this regular customer in the store on RSD, and she had a great stack, but was having to pick and choose for budget reasons. She had the Modest Mouse Moon and Antarctica LP reissue, but she also had some stuff that was definitely not going to be available in the future and I ensured her that I'd have the MM for her and she should buy the rare stuff. She actually decided to go ahead and get the MM, because she wanted to go home and play it. Who am I to argue? I'm there to educate.
This is hard though.
As I've stated, the labels will not listen to our advice and we truly can't blame them for wanting to take advantage of the amazing increase in traffic on that one day. So, yeah, in some ways they're abusing the system, but they're businesses and you know, someone out there might want what they release.
An example from last year that has caused a lot of controversy, which you mentioned, was the Flaming Lips Dark Side of the Moon. For me, I was into it all the way and was bummed out when it came out on iTunes, because I don't use that method and figured I wouldn't get to hear it. So when I heard that there was a vinyl release coming in large quantities with a CD inside at a fair price, I was excited. We ordered and sold a shit - ton. We still have it in stock, and I like showing it and selling it to customers.
Other folks, I guess they're upset, since it was supposed to be limited and made just for RSD.
Multiply that notion times three hundred and you kind of can see the dilemma. We're trying our best? How's that?”
6) Why are labels so hesitant to let you guys announce releases on the website? I find it very odd that releases are already announced on the RSD UK and RSD NL websites and there are no updates on the US website. In addition, you constantly see labels offer press releases of their RSD items before you've announced anything. How can there be better communication between RSD, the labels, the stores and the fans on how items are announced?
EL: “Another huge issue, internally and externally and the never ending question: “What is the list?”
Wow, I can hardly begin to address this question because we're still struggling with it and trying to define it.
We want the RSD "Official" list to be the official list. Like, really solid, no rumors, no innuendo, no mistakes, no missed street dates. We want UPC codes, quantities produced, regional availability, artist availability and whereabouts, pricing and all of this has to collected, organized and programmed on the RSD website.
We also have every single release, every artist, manager, label, mom and dad demanding that their release be the most special and highlighted and shouted about first, before any others.
Every manager wants to release his own press release, so they can gain blog buzz.
Honestly, I kind of like the way the information trickles out, I use Google reader and get information off sites like yours. I get surprised constantly when I hear about a release, because a lot of labels haven't talked to us, either, didn't know they were supposed to talk to us, or they're just handling it on their own, DIY, which is totally cool.
AND, what is what, really? We're making this up as we go along. To the point of you question, should windowed releases be included on the "official" list. Should regional releases, and super limited releases be included, if the majority of folks reading the list can't have access? Take my own Rodriguez 7" that was only available at Criminal Records, day of release, should that have been included on an official list? What about the overseas stuff? (An entirely huge question in and of itself.)
Wow, so many questions. Frankly, I like the slow roll out of titles approach, it's a necessity, sure, but it's fun. It gets people excited, like your blog post listing releases and your commentary; yeah, the commentary bummed me out, but it was totally drowned out by the flood of awesome release news that came out yesterday. Not a dis, I really enjoyed your blog post, and that's why I'm answering these questions, but sometimes, I do realize that, "yeah, RSD has some problems, eBay jerks, some lame releases, the list comes out late," but the vast majority is excited about releases, e.g. ("Awesome, I want that Superchunk split 7"!"). So, I sleep at night, you know?”
7) Why did you start AIMS and how well do you and the CIMS group get along?
EL: “AIMS started because I wanted my own store to be in CIMS, so CIMS helped me start AIMS. It's as simple as that. In some territories, there are AIMS/CIMS stores that do territorial battle, but for the most part, we're all in love with each other, because we all love record stores. It isn't hard to find common ground and get along and do fun business with each other, like creating Record Store Day. Music Monitor Network belongs in that sentence, too.
And when I say CIMS helped me start AIMS, literally, the president at the time, Don Van Cleave, spent five days with me, teaching me everything and helped design and set up everything from our marketing programs to our legal operating document. That's record stores helping record stores.”
7a)How much influence do these groups have with the labels and driving RSD product?
EL: “I think I've answered this, but some labels listen to us and heed our valuable advice, some will do whatever they want, or whatever their bosses tell them to do regardless of logic or sense. Think: music industry.”
7b) Some stores I've talked to, frankly, seem to be scared to vocalize or complain about the fact the owner has to put out a 2nd mortgage on his house just to get the RSD releases, for fear of not being part of the "club"....? Do stores truly have an even/open voice to complain about how things have been decided?
EL: “My email and phone numbers are published and I talk to record stores all day long. They might want to talk to me, I'm scared too (Daily).
But not being part of the "club", that makes no sense at all. Shit, I'd love it if one store offered to volunteer some of their time and energy to help us run this thing, that'd be interesting and welcomed. Everybody has opinions, very few have desire to actually put words into action.”
8) Who determines how/when an item is going to be released? I mean this is like the XXth pressing of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. I know Warner Bros. has been there since day 1 (and provided most of the 10 releases the 1st year), but who fights back or pushes back to the label and ask "do we really need another version of this?" Why don't the labels understand that most fans want *unique* products and not re-hashed versions of existing ones?
EL: “Ha! That's all I do all day long and as I've said, some folks listen, some folks don't.
When WB met with my group, we just laughed and laughed about the Fleetwood Mac, just ripping them apart (in a funny way, because they are truly record people, and can take a joke).
We told them we'd send them all our dollar copies if they'd stop production, but you know? That thing's going to sell out. There's actually a lot of interest in the re-mastering job and the audiophile nerds are more excited about that release than, like, well...some lame Lady Gaga picture disc. Truth be told, and I'm not ashamed to say it, I kind of want that 45 RPM version. It was one of my old man's favorite demo discs, and I'd kind of like to hear "The Chain" on my big new speakers, that my old man never got to hear. Shit, I think he'd have liked the 45 RPM version, and I'm going to buy one just for him.
One man's trash being another man's treasure, after all. Caveat Emptor.
9) Who determines how much product is released in the US v. UK (e.g. a 7" where 900 copies are for the US and 100 are for the UK)? Is that why you are seeing more UK/EU exclusive releases for them, so labels don't have to break up shipments (plus I am sure the shipping costs for vinyl are high too)?
EL: “Oh wow, what another nightmare, but a fun nightmare. The first year, like, the first meeting when we sat down to cook RSD up, it didn't occur to any of us to even consider overseas.
It just didn't come up. When the first overseas stores started calling, it was so exciting, like, really the second year when cool products started to take off. Man, it was crazy.
The sense of entitlement, like, "how dare we make something somebody wants but they can't seem to find it" and I said at the time, as I was trying to identify our volunteer counterparts overseas, "You know, one day, there's going to be a bunch of UK and Japanese and French stuff that we're not going to be able to get and that's going to be awesome."
Last year, my counterpart in the UK, Spencer Hickman (of Rough Trade Records), secured me a copy of Paul Weller's limited 12", I traded him for a US Grinderman 12" that he couldn't get over there. That Weller thing is amazing and I just love it. Um, that's called record collecting.”
10) Where do you see Record Store Day 3 years from now and what do you hope to change, if anything about it?
EL: (As Charlie Sheen says now): Winning!
[NOTE: Are you a store or label that agrees or disagrees with what Eric has to say? Do you want to add your two cents to the debate/discussion? If so, let me know]
[NOTE: Are you a fan who has a question that you'd like me to get answered?? If so, please leave the question in the COMMENTS section and I will start to compile them and have a follow-up interview with your questions!]
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