livingtalk
for Antarctica, on the third Saturday of April.
Record Store Day features special releases from bands
and artists from around the world in almost every format–
LPs, CDs, and even cassette tapes. No one, not even Mike,
knows what will be released on that day, but if it’s anything
comparable to previous years, music lovers are in for a real
treat. Last year, Ryan Adams, Death Cab for Cutie, Gwar,
Kid Cudi, Paul McCartney, Sloan, amongst many, many
more, all released music on Record Store Day. Mike says this
year’s lineup is sure to feature the same breadth of quality
releases as those of years before.
On Record Store Day, April 16, Blueprint will open its
doors at 11 a.m. Mike says the event brings in more and
more people every year, and it’s not uncommon to find a
lineup that morning outside the shop of over 100 people all
“geeking out” over music. He says it’s a lot of fun, “Not that
the music shop isn’t fun all the time, but when you get that
many people that are passionate about music and records
in one small, little place in one day, it’s a sight to behold.”
To celebrate the day, record stores also host live acts, and
although it’s unlikely you’ll get to experience the likes of
Metallica here in Lethbridge on that day, Mike guarantees
you’ll enjoy the stellar lineup of local favourites, which in
the past included performances by Leeroy Stagger, Dave
McCann, Shaela Miller, betterhalf, Lustre Creame, and many
more. “We try to [bring in] a lot of different music as well, so
we have also had DZ Pez, Allen Gillespie (DJ Daemon), The
Moby Dicks, and Fist City,” Mike says. Every year, four bands
are invited to play sets at the shop throughout the day, and
last year record store junkies got to take in a special set by
Whitehorse. The band may not have been on the ticket, but
they were in town for a show and took time out of their
schedule to celebrate the day in true record store fashion.
This year’s lineup, like the list of special releases, is yet to be
determined.
People are drawn to records for many reasons, and
Mike says a lot of those reasons are personal. Some prefer
records for the sound quality while others are attracted to
the physical product. “Some people feel there is a much
better sound–a more warming sound,” he says, “but there
is no right and wrong. Some people can hear the difference,
some people can’t. A lot of it has to do with a backlash
against the digital format. As much as a lot of people do
like it, a lot of people still want that tangible thing in their
hand, so the records make a lot more sense.”
Record Store Day is about much more than just vinyl, says
Mike. “It’s called Record Store Day, and that’s still always the
focus, but we are noticing more and more special cassette
tapes and a handful of CDs being released.” It’s also about
celebrating the music and culture surrounding the record
store, he adds.
Web: recordstoredaycanada.com
LETHBRIDGELIVING.COM
MAR-APR 2016
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