As wonderful as our Internet can be, its destruction of some of the simple things in life, like sending a postcard, is frustrating and sad.
Its hand in the dwindling of small businesses is flat-out maddening. In the last five years, my two favorite music magazines have all but disappeared; Punk Planet went belly-up and No Depression is now Internet-only. Bookstores and newspapers are crumbling and record stores continue to suffer.
I’ve spent the better part of my life wandering through record stores, flipping through vinyl albums, then CDs and now back to vinyl, always on the hunt for something new. Supporting your local record store is the audio version of joining, supporting and enjoying a local food movement. You’re contributing to the musical discourse of your community while supporting the arts, musicians and the local economy.
Today is the eve of the holiday remembering what’s great about music. Record Store Day has been celebrated on the third Saturday of April since 2007, unifying music geeks, musicians and independent record stores worldwide. The holiday, which was founded by a group of six people for no other reason than to celebrate the art of music, has grown into a global day of the record, embraced by indie and old rockers alike, complete with a yearly official ambassador. This year’s ambassador is Jack White; a fitting title as White is someone who has grown from indie to celebrated rock star and also owns a record store in Nashville as well as a label that continues to release new music on vinyl.
Our own Southwest Sound has been in on the holiday since its inception, anticipating music collectors from throughout the Four Corners lining up outside long before opening, ready to purchase one of the many offerings that are slated for Record Store Day release. It remains the second busiest time of the year for the downtown record store, next to Christmas. For the music lover, it’s like Christmas morning and being the kid in the candy store wrapped into one.
“It’s a celebration of our culture, something I’ve been involved in since I was a kid,” said Southwest Sound owner Robert Stapleton. “To me, its celebrating what everyone who comes into the store enjoys, which is music.”
Some of the Record Store Day releases, of which there are many, mostly in the classic format of vinyl, include a Rolling Stones reissue of their 1964 EP “5x5.” That’s the release that Stapleton is looking forward to the most. Billy Bragg, Bob Dylan, Buddy Guy, Elliot Smith and countless others also will offer special releases Saturday. All hope to be snatched up by those eager to participate in the simple act of browsing the local record store.
“It’s a great thing, not only for business but for the culture in general because all of us, whatever you call us, geeks or nerds or aficionados, come together and we all enjoy the hunt,” Stapleton said. “We crowd around, and then talk about what we got. It’s cool.”
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s Best
Saturday: Black Market Electric and Hello Dollface play the Durango Bike Polo Tournament, 2 p.m., free, Buckley Park, 247-0747.
Saturday: San Juan Symphony presents “Bach and Beatlemania,” 7:30 p.m., $35/$45/$50, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 247-7657.
