In a world dominated by digital downloads and piracy, record stores are a dying breed. However, every third Saturday of April, independent record stores make their stand.
Saturday marks one of the biggest holidays for the music industry. The fourth-annual Record Store Day (RSD) offers music fans a chance to reconnect with an outlet that has been long forgotten.
This day is generally overlooked, even though it gives fans an unprecedented chance to experience music. RSD not only fills record stores with intimate shows, but it also offers an array of exclusive releases.
As the Internet has evolved into an essential part of life, record stores have been closing due to the lack of interest. Since 2007, RSD has done its best to help revive this last temple of independent music.
Every year, RSD compiles exclusive releases from a variety of artists. Most of the releases are only a few songs, but collectors should jump on RSD because these releases go fast.
What makes this a hot commodity is that most of the releases are on vinyl. As a result, not only is each item a collector piece, but it's harder to pirate the material released on RSD.
Over the years, RSD has gained some noticeable recognition, drawing in people that regularly do not visit record stores.
"It's like black Friday for the malls. You get people you've never seen before and you'll never seen again," said Dave Anchovies, manager of Spiral Scratch Records.
This year has a vast array of exclusive releases. Bands like Daft Punk, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips, Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, and Lady Gaga are just a few of the artists who are releasing exclusive music for RSD.
There are three stores that are participating in Buffalo. Record Theatre, both the University Plaza and the one located at Main and Lafayette, and Spiral Scratch, located at 291 Bryant Street, will bring the festivities to the masses.
Although these three stores are participating, all three are bound to host a different experience. Every store is in charge of ordering what it wants for RSD, meaning that each location is bound to have different exclusive music.
"I think as a smaller store, we ran into a little bit of trouble getting certain things," Anchovies said. "I guess if you spend more money, you get more in the end."
On top of the different selection of music, each store has its own lineup of artists for the day. Many of the bands are local, but some have had exposure on a national level.
"There's one band I can't mention because I'm sworn to secrecy, but I will mention White Whale is probably one of my favorite Buffalo bands right now and I asked them to play because of that," Anchovies said. "They have a couple records coming out and they do a lot of touring nationally. They're a great band, but I'm really excited about all of the performers."
Other bands and artists performing at Spiral Scratch are Matt Smith, Tony Flaminio, Mark Costantino, and Mallwalkers. The music starts at 11:30 a.m. and continues all day until 5:30 p.m.
There are 19 bands performing between the two Record Theatres. Some of the bands include Son of the Sun (University Plaza), DJ Scarlett (Lafayette), and Iceberg (University Plaza). Music at University Plaza starts at 10 a.m., while music at Lafayette starts at 10:30 a.m., and performances will last well into the evening.
All three stores do not open their doors until 10 a.m. and have a limit of one RSD exclusive per customer, to prevent one person from hogging everything.
For a full list of RSD exclusives, go to www.recordstoreday.com. For a full list of setlists and what each store is going to have in stock, visit www.spiralscratchrecords.blogspot.com or www.recordtheatre.com.
Email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Album covers courtesy of Island Records, The Avalanches, Warner Bros. Records, 88rising Records, Smithsonian Folkway Recordings and Numero Group
