It's that time of year again! Record Store Day (RSD) 2019 takes place this Saturday, April 13! Celebrating the culture and history of the independent record store, this annual event is taking place pretty much everywhere around the world, and is growing in popularity with each passing year. Record Store Day turns 12 years old this year, and is once again celebrating by making another colorful, collectible, and limited batch of vinyl releases available to fans and collectors alike. If you don't already have a turntable, this event just might be the impetus to encourage you to go out and buy one.
In addition to RSD-exclusive releases, some record stores are hosting live, in-store performances from an artist or two - with some even including activities such as local micro-brewery samplings.
Here are your next steps if we've kept your interest so far:
Find a record store near you that is participating in the event.
Browse the releases that will be available in your country (yes, they vary depending on what part of the globe you call home).
Check your local record store's website or social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to find out what events they might have taking place, sometimes confirming what releases they'll have in stock.
Get yourself out of bed on Saturday morning, and get in line at your local independent record store!
Here are some of this year's US releases that caught SoundThread Music Blog's eye:
a-ha - "Hunting High and Low / The Early Alternate Mixes" - demos and alternate mixes from the band's 1985 breakthrough debut album.
B 52's - "Mesopotamia" - reissue of their 1982 EP on light blue colored 12” vinyl.
Julien Baker - "Red Door" (first studio recording of this live favorite) b/w "Conversation Piece" (previously unreleased cut). 7" red vinyl.
Frank Black - reissues of Pixies frontman's 1993 self-titled solo debut album (on orange vinyl) and 1994 followup "Teenager of the Year" (on white vinyl).
Devo - "This is the Devo Box" - first six albums re-release; each pressed in a different color vinyl.
Fleetwood Mac - alternate takes of their self-titled 1975 album that introduced new bandmates Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
Peter Gabriel - "Rated PG" - absolutely LOVE the artwork for this special RSD release. A collection of PG tracks that appeared in various movies.
Emmylou Harris - "The Studio Albums 1980-83" - reissue of the iconic country singer's first five albums.
Kristin Hersh - "Crooked" - reissue of Throwing Muses lead's stunning eighth studio album - on orange vinyl.
Insides - "Euphoria" - reissue of 1993 album by UK duo Insides (previously Earwig). Originally released on 4AD offshoot label Guernica.
Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody / I'm In Love With My Car" - reissued 7" vinyl of the lead single with original B-side.
Robyn - "Body Talk" - double-vinyl reissue of the Swedish pop queen's hit album.
Various Artists - "Hillbillies in Hell, Volume 8" - limited to 666 copies, 16 tracks of madness, murder and mayhem.
Various Artists - "Office Space" - soundtrack to the 1999 cult classic on "stapler red" vinyl, with tracks from Ice Cube, Geto Boys, Slum Village and more.
Various Artists - "Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records" - special blue vinyl of the soundtrack to the Wax Trax! Records documentary, detailing the rise and fall of the independent record label and store. Contains unreleased, out-of-print and classic tracks from the Chicago label's history. Also includes a 40 page book!
Yazoo - "Reconnected - Live" - recorded live on the band's 2008 reunion tour.
If you're in the UK, check out the following additional UK releases:
Bronski Beat - "Smalltown Boy" - 12" picture disc celebrating 35 years since the band played their first live gig.
Heaven 17 - "Bigger Than America" - first vinyl (translucent orange) pressing of the band's 1996 album.
M - "Pop Musik" - 40th anniversary of this instantly recognizable floor filler. Original 7" edit plus three previously unreleased versions on 10" pink vinyl.
Saint Etienne - "Saturday Boy" - 7" vinyl; recorded during the sessions for the band's last album Home Counties.
Hopefully some of these might inspire you to do an early rise-and-shine this coming Saturday to check out RSD 2019. Happy shopping!