Since 2007, the third Saturday of April has been known as Record Store Day. It is the one day when all the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in various countries across the globe give special appearances and performances.
The idea of Record Store Day was conceived in the US five years ago. The fall in CD sales and competition with large store chains and online stores finished off more and more independent businesses. As a result, in some cities no more record stores are to be found. To give a powerful signal and help boost the independent sector, some music fans and music industry professionals took the initiative of launching a Record Store Day and helped it grow into an annual tradition in a short period of time.
On April 23 2012, hundreds of limited editions are being released and will only be available in the participating record stores. On the menu this year are exclusive releases by Bob Dylan, Black Keys, Gorillaz, James Brown, Metallica, Iggy Pop, White Stripes, Lee Hazlewood, Beach House and many others. Click here for a full list.
Last year, Flanders / Belgium participated on a large scale for the first time under the impulse of Music Mania in Ghent. Other participating record stores are to be found in Antwerp, Brussels, Hasselt, Leuven, Bruges, Ostend and elsewhere.
This year, the Flemish contribution is bigger than ever. The following vinyl releases have already been announced:
Drums Are For Parades - IMPERIVM (Picture Disc LP)
Mauro - Grown Savage (10'')
Triggerfinger - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (10'')
Love Like Birds(10'')
Absynthe Minded - Space (12'' maxi)
Intergalactic Lovers - Feel For You (12'' maxi)
Tiny Legs Tim - One man blues(LP)
2 Many DJ's - As Heard On Radio Soulwax (LP)
The Hickey Underworld – The Hicky Underworld LP
The Hong Kong Dong – Sweet Sensations LP
Creature with the Atom Brain – The Birds Fly Low LP
Flying Horseman - Twist (2LP)
Milow: North & South LP
Black Cassette/ LPG (nl) (split 7'' single)
Oscar & The Wolf / Love Like Birds - The AB Sessions (split 7'' single)
Some of the participating stores have already announced several in-store concerts. For an updated programme, check www.recordstoreday.be