Record Store Day 2015, an annual event held on the third Saturday of April, is fast approaching. The holiday has grown each year since its 2007 inception, and some horrible folks are even starting things early by gouging prices on eBay. But do not lose heart, Young Waxhopper: this is a day meant to celebrate independent record stores, so to squash the scalpers, all you have to do is wait until April 18, then just show up.
Though the problematic aspects and downsides of Record Store Day – as well as the vinyl comeback at large – have been well-documented, it’s still fun for fans of analog (fanalogs?) to come together on common ground and jockey for position to snag the coolest ‘sclusie. Maybe that’s just my competitive streak talking, though. The full list of exclusive RSD releases can be found at the event’s website, but we have lovingly compiled some highlights you should be sure to obtain.
As always, don’t forget about the $1 used bins, the vanishing compact disc, or cassette tapes, apparently. You can also just use the day as an excuse to catch up your non-exclusive collection, which is a more impactful contribution to your brick and mortar’s bottom line.
Father John Misty
Father John Misty‘s latest record I Love You, Honeybear is a meta ode to his wife and soulmate, so his contribution is a fittingly heart-shaped red 7″ acoustic version of the album’s titular track.
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Speaking of funkily shaped slabs of melodies, St. Paul and the Broken Bones are putting out a 12″ single of covers recorded live at the Alabama Theatre… and shaped like Alabama. It remains to be seen if either of these will play on the average turntable, but it would be really embarrassing for all involved parties if they didn’t.
The Pizza Underground
For some wonderful reason, The Pizza Underground is still definitely a thing, and have recorded classics like “Pizza Gal”, “I’m Waiting For Delivery Man”, and “Take A Bite of The Wild Slice” to vinyl for the first time.
RPM Turntable Baseball
Following in the footsteps of last year’s RPM football, this year we’ll get RPM Turntable Baseball. It’s a two player game which probably gets old real fast, but still, it’s vinyl baseball!!!!!
Lullaby Renditions of the Grateful Dead
As you may have caught on, this writer’s favorite part of RSD is the Camus-esque absurdity of it all. So next up is Lullaby Renditions of the Grateful Dead, whose cover features a baby version of the band’s distinguished cartoon bear. Aww!
The White Stripes
But there’s real music stuff happening too. 2013 RSD ambassador Jack White has offered up The White Stripes‘ Get Behind Me Satan for its first commercial vinyl release EVER. Jack White/Third Man Records obsessives rejoiced at this announcement, because until now it’s only been sold for $500 at the label’s Nashville storefront.
The Zombies
Emblematic 60s poppers The Zombies are still touring regularly, and now we’re being treated to their never-before-released follow up to Odessey And Oracle. This may be their Pinkerton, so prepare yourselves.
Midlake
Midlake are releasing live recordings from a hometown show in Denton, TX., and you should buy it because Midlake are great, and you don’t need much justification beyond that. (Although it also comes with DVD concert footage.)
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes recently released “Love Love Love Love Love”, their first new music in 17 years; now it’ll be available on vinyl along with three other new & definitely not self-deprecating songs: “Happy New Year Next Year”, “Good At/For Nothing”, and “Fast Horses”.
Ryan Adams
It’s hard to keep an unreleased Ryan Adams track down, and even though his fans must be exhausted buying all this music, it’s hard for the dude to make bad music. The 12″ features an alt take of “Come Pick Me Up” and “When The Rope Gets Tight” from an upcoming deluxe reissue of Heartbreaker.
And now a word from Record Store Day 2015 Ambassador Dave Grohl:
Though originally from Virginia, Kelsey recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a cavalcade of neat degrees. She's written for other sites like Wide Open Country, Half Past, Seeing Trees Music, The Cropper, InfUSion Magazine, and Blurt. Kelsey’s greatest weakness is a large bowl of pho, and though she doesn’t know it yet, her friends will soon host a soup intervention for her. In her spare time she enjoys exploring abandoned buildings, crafting dad-humor puns, collecting vintage key chains, writing long lists that utilize the Oxford comma, and acting like Larry David.