It is often reported that digital music is prevailing, record shops are closing and there’s no place for physical releases anymore. Well, there’s a movement, and some figures that state the opposite. On 20th of April, like on every third Saturday of April since 2007, the world will celebrate Record Store Day. For many, this is a special day to spend at their favorite music mecca, digging the crates and spinning the records. Those not active in the traditional music market place magic get curious with . Why is this day is important for the music business/what kind of impact this day has had on the music business/Why you should care about/, find out in our feature!
On a closer look, these articles seem to be over-emphasizing the importance of digital media. It might be true that the superstores of music and miscellanous physical media have gone bankrupt. But the independent record store business - after going through rough times - is blooming yet again. One of the reasons for th is the genuine passion of. Most of these shops are owned by people who are driven by the love of music, so the genuine passion of these people, and the magic enchanted in vinyls, makes it easily understandable why independent record shops are making a comeback. Why this understanding seems to have become more widespread in recent years is due the initiative of a group of record shop owners.
Record Store Day was initially founded by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Don Van Cleave and Brian Poehner. It was the Free Comic Book Day that inspired them to do something similar with music. On this day the culture of music is celebrated with special releases, and all sorts of exclusives found in the record shops.
As a yearly tradition, an embassador is chosen to represent RSD. The members of Metallica in 2008, followed by Ozzy Osbourne (back-to-back years), Joshua Homme and Iggy Pop in the following years. This year it's Jack White's turn.
So one of the main reasons why vinyl sales are up is the very existence of this day. When Kurtz and company made strides to get record stores and labels to support the idea, it wasn't easy. They got Warner and a few other labels to agree to release 10 different records, which were worth about $35,000.
Now, the number has raised to $7 million, proving that Record Store Day isn't only a success as an idea, but also financially. “Vinyl manufacturing plants are bursting at the seams,” said Kurtz to Forbes in a recent interview. “We took a nascent industry – vinyl – breathed life into it and now we can’t even handle the amount of business we are creating.”
Younger generation is always fascinated with what's retro and old school, so they become curious about , while those who’ve been around to experience it are taking out their turntables. It’s no surprise that these sales are up, the magic enchanted in vinyls – it’s no wonder they’re receiving this much support. Not to mention the simple technical truth that vinyl sounds better than digital.
This year is a bit more special. An official film is released. It will be screened all around the world with free rights given to 85 stores that applied.
Watch the trailer for LAST SHOP STANDING: The Rise, Fall and rebirth of The Independent Record Shop