For The Record: What to Expect This Year’s Record Store Day

Introduction

As music enthusiasts and collectors we all know the beloved day that is Record Store Day. Beginning in 2007, this holiday was founded by various independently owned record stores with just over 100 participants. Today there's 1400+ participants and more than 100 releases to choose from. This year’s Record Store Day falls this coming Saturday, April 20. With so many titles to be desired, here’s a look into what to expect at your local record store.

Randy’s Records

157 E 500 S

Starting off with the infamous vinyl spot in Salt Lake, Randy’s Records, I spoke with Eric Whisamore about the store, upcoming events, and what new releases will drop.

This coming Record Store Day, some of their biggest titles to look out for are, ‘Rumors’ by Fleetwood Mac which is getting a picture disc. ‘Luv Is Rage’ by Lil Uzi Vert which is getting an official pressing, Noah Kahan’s first record ‘I Was I Am’ which is getting an official pressing, ‘Feather’ by Sabrina Carpenter that just went #1 last night, March 25, is getting an official pressing, and ‘JEFFERY’ by Young Thug is also finally getting an official repress. “The 100 Gecs ‘Snake Eyes’ EP is getting a repress which I’ve loved. Another one of my favorite EPs of last year is Remi Wolf’s “Electric Lady Sessions’ [which is to be released] on Record Store Day.”

Other releases to look out for include various albums by bands like The 1975, Wallows, Bill Evan, Talking Heads, etc. All other Record Store Day titles will be shown off on their Instagram @randysrecordstoreshop so give them a follow and be sure to check out what releases they have to offer.  

The store is looking forward to being open Sundays starting the day after Record Store Day, Sunday, April 21. Randy’s will also be having their next $2 sale which is held quarterly with 1000’s of LP’s, CD’s, Cassettes, and much more to choose from coming up in May. So be sure to return and get some good deals on your next record store run.

Sound and Vision Vinyl

3444 S Main St

Sound and Vision is located in South Salt Lake and is independently owned by Michael Maccarrone. Originating in New York, he started running record stores when he was in 11th grade. He moved to Utah not too long ago, beginning his ownership of Sound and Vision in 2014.

What to expect at this store on Record Store Day is everything that the clientele asked for ranging from David Bowie to The 1975. Sound and Vision will open at six in the morning… “A lot of people that are here late enjoy themselves. All the people hanging out in line have fun with each other because they’re all there for the same reason…I like to see everybody enjoy themselves. My pleasure is seeing everybody else having fun.”

Right now, the store is giving away Cage The Elephant tickets to a few lucky winners for their concert coming up in June. Michael is also a part of a band, That Sound in Your Head, that will be playing in May in Provo, Utah.

“If you have a question about anything musically, come on down and I can lie about anything.” -Michael Maccarrone

Fountain Records

202 E 500 S

Co-owned by Adam Terry and his wife, Fountain Records began as a record label – and still is – called FOUNTAINavm. “We were looking to open our own flagship store but we wanted to entertain the idea of doing a consignment, co-op collective idea where other people sell their collections.” 

Though this store will not entirely be participating in Record Store Day, due to their status of being a smaller owned business, they will be celebrating the heritage of record stores. Record store goers can expect this to involve live DJs, beverages and other refreshments, activities in-store, etc. They are looking into the possibility of receiving sanctioned releases from outside distributors, so keep an eye out for that as well. 

Some events to look forward to in the coming days at Fountain is the Jazz Jam. Held every Thursday, this store opens up their basement to a crowd to enjoy live jazz music performed by local (and sometimes not local) jazz artists. It’s a very intimate space and is open to all ears, ages, and levels. A small asking of $5 donation is all you need to get in and enjoy the night. Another event that’s held weekly is their Chess and Sketch club where they invite all enjoyers of art to come and mix and mingle and enjoy some tunes spun by a live DJ.

“Go support record stores and not just Record Store Day releases.” - Adam Terry

Graywhale

1773 W 4700 S (Taylorsville); 4062 Riverdale Rd (Ogden)

Lastly I spoke with the owner, Dustin Hansen, about Graywhale’s participation in this year’s Record Store Day. Having been day one participants, there’s a lot to account for at this store. Both locations, Taylorsville and Ogden, will have a great number of releases to choose from and exciting events all day including pancakes, live bands, signings, and more.

Among the releases that the store will have out, some highlights to keep your eyes out for are David Bowie’s ‘Waiting in the Sky’ LP, The Rolling Stones’ Title LP, Pearl Jam’s ‘Dark Matter’ LP, Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ Single 7” Vinyl, and many others. “Whether you’re someone who’s new to vinyl, a collector, or a lifer that’s been shopping with us every Record Store Day for years, there’s something for everybody on the list this year. It’s one of the better lists that we’ve seen in the past few years.”

Some other events to look forward to if you can’t make it out for Record Store Day include this Sunday’s, April 14, one-off listening party for Pearl Jam’s ‘Dark Matter’ album that people can preorder for Record Store Day and come jam in the store on a day off. Graywhale will also be the Kilby Block Party local vinyl distributor with tons of records for people to buy all three days of the event. Later this summer, they are the main sponsor for Crucial Fest- a metal music festival- in August.

Conclusion

If you can’t make it out to these stores, there’s a few other record stores that will be participating in this year’s Record Store Day including Lavender Vinyl in Ogden, 3hive in Provo, and another being Raunch Records in Sugar House. Have a good Record Store Day, and if you enjoy your time, be sure to get out again and continue to support your local record stores!

Sources:

https://recordstoreday.com/CustomPage/614#:~:text=Record%20Store%20Day%20was%20conceived,thousands%20of%20similar%20stores%20internationally.