News : Record Store Day – a celebration of music on vinyl!

Record Store Day – a worldwide celebration of real, physical, independent music stores – is back for 2009 and it’s all happening this Saturday, April 18th.

Noted iPod critic Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree has a lot to say about music retail conglomerations.

“Independent retail has always been the backbone of Porcupine Tree’s exposure in the US, and from the very beginning, the band was proactive in trying to associate with as many indie retail stores/chains as possible. We’ve always respected the aesthetics of the ‘pure’ record store, and the importance of knowledgeable staff who can recommend great stuff to you because they truly love music and know what they’re talking about, and are not selling vacuum cleaners or washer/dryers in the next section over. Porcupine Tree would never have reached its level of retail exposure without the indie stores, we’ll always stand with them.”

Last year Melbourne’s Polyester Records raised over $2000 and they’re out to top it in 2009 with 20% of all proceeds from CD/vinyl/DVD sales from the whole day at their CBD and Fitzroy stores going to the Victorian Cancer Council.

Alan Brough, Myf Warhurst, RRR’s Fee-B Squared and Michael Williams, Marieke Hardy, Julie Zemiro and new star Lawrence Leung with his partner in comedy crime Andrew McClelland will all be working behind the counter to lend their support.

Not far away at Basement Discs, there’s live music from midday with free performances from Lisa Miller, Jeff Lang, Alison Ferrier, Suzannah Espie, Chris Wilson, Sarah Carroll, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Charles Jenkins, Liz Stringer, Jordie Lane Rebecca Barnard and many more. Brian Nankervis of Rockwiz fame will also be on hand to MC a music trivia quiz.

Missing Link is also in on the action with 20% off T-shirts and box sets, 10% off everything else and from midday – Dick Diver, Wasted Truth, Aktion Unit, Teen Archer and Repairs playing live.

Down in St Kilda, Pure Pop also hosts free live music with a trifecta of launches: a new record for The Blackchords, an EP from The Graveyard Sons and Dan Brodie launches his new band, The Sons.

Across town Arkitekt Records, Basement Discs, Greville Records, HearNow, Last Record Store, Licorice Pie, Northside Records, Record Collectors Corner, Round & Round are also getting involved in Record Store Day

But it’s not limited just to Melbourne, so wherever you are – get out there and buy music! You can find a list of participating Australian retailers on the Record Store Day website.

Source: OzProg