It’s the most wonderful time of the year to spin fresh vinyl!
Whether we like it or not, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. While the sales day traditionally focuses on mass-produced products and big companies, there’s one organization that’s bringing attention to independent storefronts. Record Store Day is a grassroots movement to celebrate independent record store culture and this Fri hundreds of record stores will take part in the organization’s Black Friday event.
Record Store Day started in 2008 after a group of record store owners and employees decided to celebrate the unique culture of independently owned record stores. Every year, RSD puts out a list of exclusive vinyl releases that are available only at participating stores on Record Store Day. The idea is to get people off Amazon and into their local record shops. While the official Record Store Day only happens once a year, the organization releases a special list just for Black Friday to kick off the holiday shopping season.
Participating stores are known to have limited run vinyl, RSD exclusives, singles, CDs, rare goodies and more enticing gifts for record store fanatics. 60% of the list also tends to be from independent artists and labels, giving the little guys a chance to shine on the largest shopping day of the year. Isn’t that awesome?
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You can only get items on the RSD list at participating record stores, so make sure to mark your calendar if something on the list catches your eye. It’s also important to know that not all stores will carry every single item on the list, so it’s worth it to check with stores ahead of time.
Some of our favorites on this year’s Black Friday list include the first-ever vinyl release of Pearl Jam’s MTV Unplugged set; vinyl versions of both Cardi B’s mixtape Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1, Lizzo’s Coconut Oil EP; a 7″ vinyl with songs from Egypt Station sessions by Paul McCartney; and a festive picture disc of Jimi Hendrix’s Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and a red vinyl reissue of Merry Christmas from King Records. We’re so excited!
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If you’re one to usually avoid Black Friday sales but love music, this event is worth braving the crowds for. To find out which Chicago stores will be participating this year, check RSD’s website or by stopping in at your favorite record store.
Feature image of Gramaphone Records by @alcemyfriends.