Record Store Day began 15 years ago as a way to mobilize consumer support for independent brick-and-mortar record stores, which were seen as niche enough to be at risk of extinction from big online retailers. Streaming wasn’t yet the behemoth business it is today—Spotify also launched in 2008, and it wouldn’t reach the U.S. till […]
Tag: Record Store Day
Posted inMusic
Chicago’s record stores make for minimally miserable Black Friday destinations
Record Store Day usually takes place in the spring (well, before the pandemic it did), but in 2011 its organizers launched a Black Friday spin-off. Since then I’ve become increasingly weary of this invented retail holiday. Even though RSD promotes independent brick-and-mortar music shops—unquestionably a good idea—its list of special releases has become saturated with […]
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Cosmic Country star Andrew Sa drops a high lonesome covers collection
Cosmic Country star Andrew Sa drops a high lonesome covers collection, Dave Rempis releases a double album of live performances that COVID couldn’t stop, and more.
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Lithuanian art-rock genius Vyto B resurfaces with a cross-generational collaboration
Chicago label Sanzimat International documents the Lithuanian diaspora with three new tapes, including one with Vyto B, creator of 70s outsider classic Tricentennial 2076.
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Remember resale shops this Record Store Day
Record Store Day doesn’t usually include thrift and vintage shops, but they’re among the best places to find vinyl that nobody’s even thought of reissuing yet.
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Record Store Day 2019: how and where to celebrate
Details about discounts, giveaways, in-store performances, and more at three dozen shops—with an interactive map and alphabetized listings
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Chicago gets its first vinyl-pressing plant in decades
A look inside vinyl-pressing plant Smashed Plastic, whose brand-new technology could bring relief to labels and artists stymied by long waits for records
Posted inBlogs
Record Store Day 2018: here’s what Chicago area shops are doing to celebrate
Check out our interactive map and listings detailing the area’s festivities, including discounts, giveaways, in-store performances, and more.
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Record stores for Record Store Day heretics
Record Store Day is a great time to get acquainted with the neighborhood shops that don’t partake in the annual retail circus.
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Record Store Day 2017: Sales, giveaways, in-store performances, and more
Record Store Day deals and happenings, listed by store and arranged on an interactive map
Posted inBlogs
Logan Square bar and restaurant crawl, Record Store Day, and more things to do in Chicago this weekend
Tattoos for Tails, About Face Theatre’s Wonka Ball, and more happenings from April 15-17
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Chicago underground rap pioneers Stony Island play a rare show to celebrate their Numero Group reissue
The surviving members of Stony Island reconvene Saturday to celebrate their Numero Group reissue at the label’s Record Store Day pop-up shop.
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Record Store Day 2016: Sales, giveaways, in-store performances, and more
This year’s Record Store Day releases leave a lot to be desired, but the full slate of in-store performances should make shop hopping worth it anyway.
Posted inBlogs
There’s a new Slayer song!
Slayer releases the first official single from their long-awaited upcoming LP for Record Store Day.
Posted inBlogs
Gig poster of the week: Everyone is hungry for records this weekend (including a crazed Mickey)
This week’s gig poster was created by designer Chema Skandal.