Record Store Day
The record industry has plenty of hallowed and institutionalized practices, procedures, and events that compliment the industry’s novel and sentimental nature, but none hold the weight of Record Store Day. On the surface, Record Store Day is a pretty simple thing: A celebration of the tireless and heroic independent businesses that often struggle to keep the doors open in an uncertain time for the music industry as a whole. Obviously it also serves as a celebration of the greatest form of musical media there has ever been or ever will be, and the ultimate excuse for vinyl-heads to pull out the stops, shake the bins and drain bank accounts. Hell, there are appointed ambassadors every year (the honor belongs to the ubiquitous Dave Grohl this year) to add to the pomp of it all.
Record Store Day has also found itself under some light criticism in recent years for the same limited edition releases that are intended as a major focal point of the event’s fun. The idea of an album being manufactured with the specific intention of being a collectable can be off-putting to some, and the mayhem inspired by these releases can make the event altogether unappealing to others. That said, you really should make the time to attend a Record Store Day event in South Florida, regardless of where you stand on the releases.
Our local independent record stores hold steadfast to the traditional role of a record store as a meeting place for an area’s artistic community as a whole and as hubs for music fans to be music fans together — something increasingly more important in an ever-more-isolating, internet-driven world. As Radio-Active Records’ own Mikey Ramirez so eloquently put it: “I think I’ve said it before, but RSD is an important event to highlight the cultural importance these shops have within their community.”
And where does Ramirez stand on the topic of special releases?
“Personally? I’m interested in that Bernard Herrmann “Pscyho” 45, being a soundtrack nerd. And the Day After Halloween soundtrack from Brian May.”
For Miami’s Sweat Records, the event marks a special anniversary, and Sweat’s Lauren Reskin could not be more excited about this year’s Sweatstock festivities:
“This year we’re also celebrating Sweat’s 10-year anniversary — which is a small miracle unto itself. We’re obviously thrilled by the fact that more and more people are discovering the joys of vinyl every day and we are so happy to be able to serve Miami’s music-loving community. Sweatstock is our way of saying thanks for all the support and this year’s event is going to be the biggest one we’ve ever done. We’re really excited to have TOBACCO headlining and have a solid lineup of local acts, as well as Sweatstock’s typical array of food trucks, comedians, poetry, giveaways, and all sorts of other surprises! We have worked really hard to keep it awesome and free — so we really hope everyone comes out and enjoys it!” We hope you do, too!
~ Von Bader
