Good points all around- especially the reminder that we need all parts of the ecosystem to survive.
I have to admit that last year, a couple of scalpers really soured me on it all. It’s silly, and it shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. It felt like a real “this is why we can’t have nice things” moment, and it took a while to shake off my annoyance.
More importantly: a huge +1 to sellers like Kadrian! Whatever scalpers are, sellers like him are the polar opposite. I’ve now picked up two records from him, and the customer service was top notch. He’s one of us, so I expected the usual things- fast shipping, well packed, etc. But he added a few extra flourishes that made it all the difference.
Thank you! Yes, it can be very annoying, especially if prices don't go down soon afterwards (as is sometimes the case when the official RSD online sale goes live). In my perhaps unpopular opinion, RSD should allow online sales from the outset. Maybe with a slight markup in price to encourage people to visit physical stores, but the whole prohibition is silly and counterproductive at this point.
Absolutely: sellers like Kadrian show there's still some faith in humanity. We need more like him, and they need more recognition.
Imagine my surprise as I did my regular Sunday ritual of reading your newsletter while drinking coffee and listening to my latest vinyl purchase (now spinning: Love Special Delivery by Thee Midniters - highly recommend if you want some great oldies from Whittier, CA) and I see my name and Latin Gold Records!
Andres, first I’m truly humbled by your kind words and shout-out. Thank you so much for the support.
Secondly, I fully agree with everything you’ve said. The factory machine that has become Record Store Day has gotten a little too trend-wagoning here. A few RSDs ago, I was in a record store that is best known for its punk selection, and multiple people came in asking if they had the Taylor swift album. They had run out so they left instead of doing what record store day calls for - digging!
There is a lot of value to online sellers and there’s of course to the sacred third place that we call the record store. Record Store Day in my opinion is every day but diversifying where and from whom you purchase is essential. Even buying from diverse owners. Last RSD i wrote an article about supporting BIPOC owned stores as their curated selection is more expansive than your typical shop. I don’t support the waiting in the long line but there are a ton of stores at least in LA that celebrate the day with great deals, in-store shows, and more and don’t carry the RSD exclusives. Those are the more fun ones in my opinion because we go out to show love for the community with the community. I make it a whole day for myself to say hi to all my friends at various establishments.
My plan this year is to host an online sale on Latin Gold Records in the morning and then go visit some of my favorite shops around town. Your line that for vinyl to survive, everyone needs to succeed is the key to keeping our passion growing.
This is the longest comment I’ve ever written so I’ll stop now. Thank you again for the shout-out!!!
I am on first name basis with most of the shops I frequent and when I walk in or before I leave, I talk to the owner or employees. The record store, in many ways, is like the pub. It's a place where people congregate, and talk. It is a valued part of the community.
And, I agree, Kadrian - Record Store Day IS every day! Crate digging is what I too love. Even if I walk out empty-handed, I still find it meditative and calming.
agree on all this, especially the meditation aspect out of it! it really is a ritual to just focus on what the record in front of you holds, down to the hand flipping, scanning the walls. it's a true present moment process.
Thank you, Kadrian! You deserve all that praise and more. You know, every April I hear so many nasty comments in record collector circles, so this year I decided to get it off my chest. Online sellers are vital, and we need more like you. Sometimes people ask me for recommendations (both US- and UK-based), as we know that good online sellers are not always easy to find, so hopefully this will serve as some sort of guide and help send some new business your way. Dedicated and professional sellers like you are needed, both on the ground and online, to keep our passion alive. Really excited to see what you've got in store for Latin Gold Records! Best of luck!!!
Andres, truly I'm so humbled and grateful for your support. thank you so much and excited for your next issue! More to come on the LGR front, stay tuned :)
I love vinyl, and have never done RSD! I almost did it last year (do they do it twice a year? I seem to remember it was cold and rainy and maybe November?) A friend, who doesn’t drive, asked me to take her to get a Cure album for her boyfriend. So, I checked out the releases and there was a couple I wanted. But, when we drove by, it was cold and rainy and the line was blocks long with an hour till open! We went and got coffee from a nearby drive-thru and drove past the line a couple more times before deciding against waiting 😂
Thank you, Kristin! Yes, as Joaquin pointed out, there's a Black Friday one in November as well. I would have done the same with that weather. The only records I would perhaps consider standing in line for are all original releases. Nothing new (as of yet) would justify all that waiting in line 😅
I'm with you on RSD, Andres, but perhaps for different reasons. I know it is probably good for shops, but I have talked to some owners who like it while others avoid it completely. I remember the original excitement when RSD first happened. Since then, however, it seems watered down by over-saturation of product, greedy capitalism of the industry & the flippers, no longer a "day" it is now a couple of days a year, and more and more labels with questionable product quality control. I also don't need multiple versions of various titles on "Limited Edition confetti-sprinkled colored vinyl." I just want a record that sounds really good. Black is more often than not, my go to. And, I definitely don't need to stand in line for hours to grab that Ltd. Ed. confetti-sprinkled colored vinyl reissue of "Rumours."
Thank you, Michael! I know from some sellers that RSD creates huge production bottlenecks (with the obvious consequence of delayed deliveries, order cancellations and the like). For some, it's a real pain. Sound is top priority for me too, all the rest is secondary. RSD releases especially as of late tend to focus a lot on all these funky colours with less and less substance.
With Record Store Day, I tend to go later in the day as my tolerance for long lines has greatly diminished as I’ve gotten older. My take is, if they still have the album I’m looking for by the time I get there, Great! If not, no big deal.
As far as supporting the vinyl ecosystem, I would also suggest going to record shows when they come up in your area. They’re a great way of supporting multiple music stores and discovering others you might not have been aware of.
I’ve unearthed a lot of great titles (new and used) at record shows. Vendors are usually pretty friendly and can even be flexible on price - particularly if you’re buying multiple records from them.
If have social anxieties or ‘people hives’ as I call them, the rooms are usually large enough to where you can move to less frequented areas of the show if that ‘icky’ feeling starts creeping in.
I admit to avoiding one of the two local record stores here, because the proprietor is so persistent in sharing his lack of knowledge with me 😎 and it grates on the nerves that every time I go in, I either have to bite my tongue or get into an argument, both of which ruin the fun of the experience for me. All of which is just to say that while I agree the ritual of the physical record store is important, sometimes it's nice to just being able to buy the damned record without a big production.
Thank you, Faith! Some proprietors are a bit intense, I know 😅 Particularly annoying when you 1) just want to focus; and 2) know what you're looking for, both of which I know for a fact apply to you without fail. I've seen some shopowners being condescending towards women in particular (sadly, still a relatively common occurrence), which is even more annoying: in most cases, the female client in question would not only be perfectly fine unaided, but could actually run the store better!
I enjoy talking music with the ones who know their stuff, and I haven't experienced any particular sexism on that score, probably because of my Beatles knowledge and having grown up with a music historian for a father. And I try to engage because the clerks tend to pull out stuff for me that they don't have on display.
But this proprietor in particular does not know his stuff and hence the problem. (On the other hand, his bargain bin is full of treasures that he doesn't know are treasures...)
I definitely fall into the camp of, while not socially anxious, not wanting to queue for hours or be trapped in a store with a crowd of other people.
While I’m not into vinyl right now, I plan to be in the future. As I’ve said before, this Substack and your clear and meaningful advice and recommendations will be a huge resource for me.
While a complete vinyl outsider, I’ve been aware of RSD for what feels like forever. Again, this comes from a place of ignorance, but the feeling I get is that RSD has been somewhat co-opted over the last decade by corporate and other interests and has lost some of its authenticity. It feels like it’s just become another extension of corporate capitalism. But I stand to be corrected and would love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you, Mark! While RSD was born out of a desire to keep independent record stores afloat in the noughties, it hasn't adapted to the current landscape, particularly post-lockdown. Michael K Fell summarised some very good points above (or below, depending on your settings). Apart from the huge production bottlenecks it creates, it focuses more and more on coloured reissues which, sadly, tend to sell more. In addition, I also believe that the online sales prohibition (as dictated by RSD) distorts supply and demand and fuels the black market thus pushing prices to the stratosphere. They should either focus on fewer titles with more copies of each available, and/or allow online sales and pre-orders (like with any other mainstream releases) so the demand can be better served on the official channels.
If you haven't seen it, Vinyl Nation is a pretty good documentray that covers not just RSD,but the resurgence of vinyl itself,and the changing face of collectors. The guys behind it are also incredibly nice--especially to really nervous interviewers. Don't ask me how I know that. :)
Thank you, Joaquin! Absolutely: it's horrible when your favourite spot gets invaded by tourists. I think some of the buzz it creates might help stores (and the overall vinyl market) a little bit, but I would love to sit down with all the data and analyse whether it actually brings net benefits or creates more losses/distortion. I suspect I might know the answer...
I got there at 7.40am, the store opened at 8am and I managed to get in at 8.30am. There was a freezing wind and I couldn't feel my feet but it was worth it :)
Great article, Andres - and you're right about supporting all sorts of sellers - online, physical, record fairs, the people selling out of their spare rooms or garages etc... Ultimately, RSD should be about sharing our love of great music and the joy of listening to it on an incredible, beautiful analogue format–not about standing in lines or scalping.
I have mixed feelings about RSD - it probably works better for the stores than it does for the punters. And I want great indies to have a big payday. But for me it's a bit like Valentine's Day - it shouldn't be about making an effort on one day of the year. Show your love for your favourite record shops all year round (and your partner, obviously!).
Thank you, Rich! 100% agree. All sellers should be celebrated as they all play a part in keeping vinyl and record collecting alive. I agree it feels a bit like Valentine’s Day. I also worry about the huge pressure it puts on factories and the vinyl production schedule as a whole.
Great piece, Andres. I have always avoided physical record stores on RSD and instead bought online, kind of like first Fridays on Bandcamp. But to be honest, I often forget about the "day" and just buy stuff when I can. I had never thought about all the extra work record stores must have to do to prepare for the day, and I would bet not especially lucrative; I might ask the folks at my local stores their thoughts on it.
On a side note -- I'm always impressed at how many different stock photos you find for your posts!😀
Thank you, Steve! Yes, I tend to avoid them on RSD nowadays as well. I browse all the time, in person and online, and buy as and when I can, so I don't need reminders to support my local record store when I go more often than most people who stand in line for hours! In my experience, while they keep it optimistic and enthusiastic on the façade, behind the scenes it's mayhem and chaos. Plus cleaning the damn store afterwards. It's a pain.
PS: Thank you! I have a lot of fun with the stock photos. Glad you noticed! 😁
Thank you, Ken! 100% agree. You know, I once heard an indie record store owner say that the other 364 days of the year are not only painful in terms of traffic compared with RSD, but that they seem to play second fiddle to RSD (i.e. many vinyl factories are increasingly being monopolised, year after year, from April to April, in order to squeeze in as many RSD releases as they can, thus neglecting the rest of the vinyl production schedule).
Good points all around- especially the reminder that we need all parts of the ecosystem to survive.
I have to admit that last year, a couple of scalpers really soured me on it all. It’s silly, and it shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. It felt like a real “this is why we can’t have nice things” moment, and it took a while to shake off my annoyance.
More importantly: a huge +1 to sellers like Kadrian! Whatever scalpers are, sellers like him are the polar opposite. I’ve now picked up two records from him, and the customer service was top notch. He’s one of us, so I expected the usual things- fast shipping, well packed, etc. But he added a few extra flourishes that made it all the difference.
Thank you! Yes, it can be very annoying, especially if prices don't go down soon afterwards (as is sometimes the case when the official RSD online sale goes live). In my perhaps unpopular opinion, RSD should allow online sales from the outset. Maybe with a slight markup in price to encourage people to visit physical stores, but the whole prohibition is silly and counterproductive at this point.
Absolutely: sellers like Kadrian show there's still some faith in humanity. We need more like him, and they need more recognition.
Supporters like you make it all worthwhile!
Imagine my surprise as I did my regular Sunday ritual of reading your newsletter while drinking coffee and listening to my latest vinyl purchase (now spinning: Love Special Delivery by Thee Midniters - highly recommend if you want some great oldies from Whittier, CA) and I see my name and Latin Gold Records!
Andres, first I’m truly humbled by your kind words and shout-out. Thank you so much for the support.
Secondly, I fully agree with everything you’ve said. The factory machine that has become Record Store Day has gotten a little too trend-wagoning here. A few RSDs ago, I was in a record store that is best known for its punk selection, and multiple people came in asking if they had the Taylor swift album. They had run out so they left instead of doing what record store day calls for - digging!
There is a lot of value to online sellers and there’s of course to the sacred third place that we call the record store. Record Store Day in my opinion is every day but diversifying where and from whom you purchase is essential. Even buying from diverse owners. Last RSD i wrote an article about supporting BIPOC owned stores as their curated selection is more expansive than your typical shop. I don’t support the waiting in the long line but there are a ton of stores at least in LA that celebrate the day with great deals, in-store shows, and more and don’t carry the RSD exclusives. Those are the more fun ones in my opinion because we go out to show love for the community with the community. I make it a whole day for myself to say hi to all my friends at various establishments.
My plan this year is to host an online sale on Latin Gold Records in the morning and then go visit some of my favorite shops around town. Your line that for vinyl to survive, everyone needs to succeed is the key to keeping our passion growing.
This is the longest comment I’ve ever written so I’ll stop now. Thank you again for the shout-out!!!
I am on first name basis with most of the shops I frequent and when I walk in or before I leave, I talk to the owner or employees. The record store, in many ways, is like the pub. It's a place where people congregate, and talk. It is a valued part of the community.
And, I agree, Kadrian - Record Store Day IS every day! Crate digging is what I too love. Even if I walk out empty-handed, I still find it meditative and calming.
agree on all this, especially the meditation aspect out of it! it really is a ritual to just focus on what the record in front of you holds, down to the hand flipping, scanning the walls. it's a true present moment process.
Thank you, Kadrian! You deserve all that praise and more. You know, every April I hear so many nasty comments in record collector circles, so this year I decided to get it off my chest. Online sellers are vital, and we need more like you. Sometimes people ask me for recommendations (both US- and UK-based), as we know that good online sellers are not always easy to find, so hopefully this will serve as some sort of guide and help send some new business your way. Dedicated and professional sellers like you are needed, both on the ground and online, to keep our passion alive. Really excited to see what you've got in store for Latin Gold Records! Best of luck!!!
Andres, truly I'm so humbled and grateful for your support. thank you so much and excited for your next issue! More to come on the LGR front, stay tuned :)
💪🏻🎶😉
I love vinyl, and have never done RSD! I almost did it last year (do they do it twice a year? I seem to remember it was cold and rainy and maybe November?) A friend, who doesn’t drive, asked me to take her to get a Cure album for her boyfriend. So, I checked out the releases and there was a couple I wanted. But, when we drove by, it was cold and rainy and the line was blocks long with an hour till open! We went and got coffee from a nearby drive-thru and drove past the line a couple more times before deciding against waiting 😂
Thank you, Kristin! Yes, as Joaquin pointed out, there's a Black Friday one in November as well. I would have done the same with that weather. The only records I would perhaps consider standing in line for are all original releases. Nothing new (as of yet) would justify all that waiting in line 😅
There's a Black Friday Record Store Day in addition to the one in April.
I'm with you on RSD, Andres, but perhaps for different reasons. I know it is probably good for shops, but I have talked to some owners who like it while others avoid it completely. I remember the original excitement when RSD first happened. Since then, however, it seems watered down by over-saturation of product, greedy capitalism of the industry & the flippers, no longer a "day" it is now a couple of days a year, and more and more labels with questionable product quality control. I also don't need multiple versions of various titles on "Limited Edition confetti-sprinkled colored vinyl." I just want a record that sounds really good. Black is more often than not, my go to. And, I definitely don't need to stand in line for hours to grab that Ltd. Ed. confetti-sprinkled colored vinyl reissue of "Rumours."
Thank you, Michael! I know from some sellers that RSD creates huge production bottlenecks (with the obvious consequence of delayed deliveries, order cancellations and the like). For some, it's a real pain. Sound is top priority for me too, all the rest is secondary. RSD releases especially as of late tend to focus a lot on all these funky colours with less and less substance.
Okay, but what about confetti-sprinkled editon of 'Mirage?'
LOL
🤣
With Record Store Day, I tend to go later in the day as my tolerance for long lines has greatly diminished as I’ve gotten older. My take is, if they still have the album I’m looking for by the time I get there, Great! If not, no big deal.
As far as supporting the vinyl ecosystem, I would also suggest going to record shows when they come up in your area. They’re a great way of supporting multiple music stores and discovering others you might not have been aware of.
I’ve unearthed a lot of great titles (new and used) at record shows. Vendors are usually pretty friendly and can even be flexible on price - particularly if you’re buying multiple records from them.
If have social anxieties or ‘people hives’ as I call them, the rooms are usually large enough to where you can move to less frequented areas of the show if that ‘icky’ feeling starts creeping in.
Thank you! Yes, record shows or fairs are great. The atmosphere, the rapport with the sellers, the digging fun, and the open spaces are all wins.
Thank you for this.
I admit to avoiding one of the two local record stores here, because the proprietor is so persistent in sharing his lack of knowledge with me 😎 and it grates on the nerves that every time I go in, I either have to bite my tongue or get into an argument, both of which ruin the fun of the experience for me. All of which is just to say that while I agree the ritual of the physical record store is important, sometimes it's nice to just being able to buy the damned record without a big production.
Thank you, Faith! Some proprietors are a bit intense, I know 😅 Particularly annoying when you 1) just want to focus; and 2) know what you're looking for, both of which I know for a fact apply to you without fail. I've seen some shopowners being condescending towards women in particular (sadly, still a relatively common occurrence), which is even more annoying: in most cases, the female client in question would not only be perfectly fine unaided, but could actually run the store better!
I enjoy talking music with the ones who know their stuff, and I haven't experienced any particular sexism on that score, probably because of my Beatles knowledge and having grown up with a music historian for a father. And I try to engage because the clerks tend to pull out stuff for me that they don't have on display.
But this proprietor in particular does not know his stuff and hence the problem. (On the other hand, his bargain bin is full of treasures that he doesn't know are treasures...)
Yes I hear you. Almost like "shut up and give me your bargain bin" 😆😆
I definitely fall into the camp of, while not socially anxious, not wanting to queue for hours or be trapped in a store with a crowd of other people.
While I’m not into vinyl right now, I plan to be in the future. As I’ve said before, this Substack and your clear and meaningful advice and recommendations will be a huge resource for me.
While a complete vinyl outsider, I’ve been aware of RSD for what feels like forever. Again, this comes from a place of ignorance, but the feeling I get is that RSD has been somewhat co-opted over the last decade by corporate and other interests and has lost some of its authenticity. It feels like it’s just become another extension of corporate capitalism. But I stand to be corrected and would love to hear your thoughts.
Thank you, Mark! While RSD was born out of a desire to keep independent record stores afloat in the noughties, it hasn't adapted to the current landscape, particularly post-lockdown. Michael K Fell summarised some very good points above (or below, depending on your settings). Apart from the huge production bottlenecks it creates, it focuses more and more on coloured reissues which, sadly, tend to sell more. In addition, I also believe that the online sales prohibition (as dictated by RSD) distorts supply and demand and fuels the black market thus pushing prices to the stratosphere. They should either focus on fewer titles with more copies of each available, and/or allow online sales and pre-orders (like with any other mainstream releases) so the demand can be better served on the official channels.
If you haven't seen it, Vinyl Nation is a pretty good documentray that covers not just RSD,but the resurgence of vinyl itself,and the changing face of collectors. The guys behind it are also incredibly nice--especially to really nervous interviewers. Don't ask me how I know that. :)
https://vinylnationfilm.com/
Thank you, Kev! I need to finish watching that. Would also love to read/hear that nervous interview you mention 😉
You are exactly right. It started out as a sorta grass-roots ish marketing campaign. Now its a more or less a subsidiary of Taylor Swift Inc.
LOL sad but true!
I patronize my local record store regularly. Record Store Day feels like having your favorite local spot taken over by tourists.
If its effective at expanding the market of record store customers then I can live with it. 😜
Thank you, Joaquin! Absolutely: it's horrible when your favourite spot gets invaded by tourists. I think some of the buzz it creates might help stores (and the overall vinyl market) a little bit, but I would love to sit down with all the data and analyse whether it actually brings net benefits or creates more losses/distortion. I suspect I might know the answer...
This was my first RSD where I queued to get in at 8am. I managed to get the Blur Parklife and Lemonheads Hotel Sessions just before they sold out :)
Glad you got them! How long did you have to queue?
I got there at 7.40am, the store opened at 8am and I managed to get in at 8.30am. There was a freezing wind and I couldn't feel my feet but it was worth it :)
That's not too bad all in all. Great you got it out of the way in the morning!
Great article, Andres - and you're right about supporting all sorts of sellers - online, physical, record fairs, the people selling out of their spare rooms or garages etc... Ultimately, RSD should be about sharing our love of great music and the joy of listening to it on an incredible, beautiful analogue format–not about standing in lines or scalping.
I have mixed feelings about RSD - it probably works better for the stores than it does for the punters. And I want great indies to have a big payday. But for me it's a bit like Valentine's Day - it shouldn't be about making an effort on one day of the year. Show your love for your favourite record shops all year round (and your partner, obviously!).
Thank you, Rich! 100% agree. All sellers should be celebrated as they all play a part in keeping vinyl and record collecting alive. I agree it feels a bit like Valentine’s Day. I also worry about the huge pressure it puts on factories and the vinyl production schedule as a whole.
Great piece, Andres. I have always avoided physical record stores on RSD and instead bought online, kind of like first Fridays on Bandcamp. But to be honest, I often forget about the "day" and just buy stuff when I can. I had never thought about all the extra work record stores must have to do to prepare for the day, and I would bet not especially lucrative; I might ask the folks at my local stores their thoughts on it.
On a side note -- I'm always impressed at how many different stock photos you find for your posts!😀
Thank you, Steve! Yes, I tend to avoid them on RSD nowadays as well. I browse all the time, in person and online, and buy as and when I can, so I don't need reminders to support my local record store when I go more often than most people who stand in line for hours! In my experience, while they keep it optimistic and enthusiastic on the façade, behind the scenes it's mayhem and chaos. Plus cleaning the damn store afterwards. It's a pain.
PS: Thank you! I have a lot of fun with the stock photos. Glad you noticed! 😁
I hate the RSD chaos, but if it's helping to keep the independents afloat, I'm all for it. I'm especially all for the other non-RSDs of the year...
Thank you, Ken! 100% agree. You know, I once heard an indie record store owner say that the other 364 days of the year are not only painful in terms of traffic compared with RSD, but that they seem to play second fiddle to RSD (i.e. many vinyl factories are increasingly being monopolised, year after year, from April to April, in order to squeeze in as many RSD releases as they can, thus neglecting the rest of the vinyl production schedule).