Record Store Day began three years ago as a national event celebrating the unique culture of independently-owned record stores. Indie and (semi-indie) labels joined up with the indie stores to produce free limited-issue vinyl and CD releases exclusively for Record Store Day. Check out the partial list of 2010 freebies here and here.
Of course, not every store will have every free RSD release: you’ll need to go visit the stores to see what they’ve got. Here’s a run down of what’s happening at Capitol Hill’s independent record stores on Saturday:
Everyday Music // 1521 10th Ave // opens at 9am
Large variety of the Record Store Day special releases plus a one-day-only sale of 20% off used and 10% off new.
Gruv // 424 Broadway Ave E // opens at 9am
Tons of the very best limited releases, promos and posters that Record Store Day has to offer this year. Also offering 20% off all CDs, LPs and music related DVDs.
Porchlight Coffee // 1515 14th Ave Ste B // opens at 8am
Record Store Day releases available at Porchlight include The Bouncing Souls, The Thermals, Deerhoof, Menomena, Beach House, Album Leaf, and Japandroids. Free cupcakes and cheap beer, plus a free beverage of your choice with any LP purchased.
Sonic Boom Records // 1525 Melrose Ave // opens at 10am
In-store performance by Minus the Bear at 2pm, all ages. Variety of releases produced exclusively for Record Store Day plus free label promos.
Wall of Sound // 315 E Pike St // opens at 11am
Stocked up on Record Store Day limited releases.
Zion’s Gate // 1100 East Pike St
Zion’s Gate says, “Stop in, we have lots of cool records!”
I don’t believe the vinyl stuff is actually free. I’m pretty sure most of them cost something, somewhere between $5-$15 (and more for some limited edition releases). That’s the price range that the vinyl cost at last years RSD.