THUNDER BAY -- For the first time since its creation in 2008, this city will be participating in Record Store Day.
With no music shops selling vinyl until this year, an event like Record Store Day was simply impossible. But that's not the case this year, with both New Day Records and Accessories, and Hard Copy Records opening late last year.
“People are coming in and asking about it, they’re getting excited” said Tara Marcin, an employee at Hard Copy Records on Bay Street. “I assume that we’re probably going to have a big lineup outside.”
“Until recently Thunder Bay has been without an independent music retailer” said William Rutledge, owner and operator of New Day Records and Accessories on St. Paul Street.
“It’s exciting because now that we have several independent music retailers we can finally celebrate Record Store Day”.
Record Store Day is celebrated worldwide annually on the third Saturday of April. The event originated in 2008 in San Francisco.
Record Store Day was conceived to promote independent music retailers. It took its inspiration from Free Comic Book Day, a similar event that takes place at comic-book retailers every May.
Common things one might experience include food, live music, contests and most importantly, exclusive albums.
“There are a lot of different labels that are coming in specifically for Record Store Day,” Marcin said.
Albums from artists like AC/DC, Aerosmith, Motorhead and The Notorious B.I.G. are just a few of the several hundred albums that are released on Record Store Day.
“I think that since the city has finally seen record stores again, there’s been a lot of excitement just about music in general” added Rutledge.
“Being able to interact in a music store pick up a record go home and sit and put it on. Its kind of helping the enjoyment of music in the city.”
Record Store Day takes place on April 19 at 10 a.m. at both record stores.
