This coming Saturday April 20th, is RECORD STORE DAY. A celebration of perhaps the greatest retail bricks and mortar stores you can come across, the independent record store.
Not that shopping at independent record stores should only be encouraged once a year, but this is your way of simply saying 'thank you' to your local independent record store and supporting their ongoing existence. Unlike the chain music stores that are scattered all over our country, the stores we have featured below, all put back in to the Australian punk and hardcore scenes, either through releasing records for local bands, hosting in-store shows, stocking local releases or just generally being a wealth of knowledge about local music you won't find anywhere else.
If you live close to one of these stores in your city, be sure to head down and say hello and buy up big!
At the bottom of the article you'll find some info about a special Record Store Day release from Rest Assured Records.
The official Record Store Day website has unleashed the complete list of special releases for April 21, 2012. You can see the complete list here.
If you're in the Sydney area hit up the Diggin Sydney website to download a PDF of Record Stores in the area or if in Melbourne hit up the Diggin Melbourne website.
Clarity Records
60 Pulteney Street, Adelaide
(08) 8227 1421
In the past 12 months would you say business has been up or down in comparison to the year previous?
Business has definitely increased. We have only been open for 3 years so we always aim to keep improving from the previous year.
Do you think the crackdown on piracy and restrictions placed on sites such as rapidshare, mediafire and megaupload has been reflected by your store trading over the past 12 months?
It certainly plays a role, but I think if people want to download something or get it for free there are definitely ways in doing so. A few customers have mentioned to me that they have struggled to find a certain release online for download and I guess that's where we have helped them out obtaining a physical copy.
What would be one of the major costs customers probably overlook when it comes to comparing prices online to that instore?
Shipping always plays a factor, but due to rates going up with USPS it has helped us out a bit because we can order in bulk. It is also still expensive getting stuff from Europe & the UK due to the exchange rate. At the end of the day we have to pay bills, rent, overheads & keep the shop stocked so these mark ups are necessary
How important does band merchandising factor, in terms of store stock for you and how does it sell in comparison to physical music formats?
We try to keep band merch to the minimal. We find classic band shirts like Black Flag, Bad Brains, Ramones, Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath etc etc, always sell. Other shirt designs come and go and can sometimes stick around. We aren't a clothing shop, we are a music shop, so we always try and make sure music format numbers outweigh merch.
How does Record Store Day rate in comparison to say the Christmas period or other heavy trading timeframes?
Record Store Day is our busiest day of the year. Christmas is still great, however this one particular day is when everyone goes music crazy. It's great
If they haven't already why should someone make the switch from CD to vinyl?
Besides sound quality, vinyl opens up a whole new world of music that you can't get anywhere else. Especially older bands and underground bands who only ever released on vinyl.
Personally what is your most valued record you own?
I have a number of big boys, but the biggest of the lot will be (depending on who you are talking to) either the Teen Idles "Minor Disturbance" 7" first press, Minor Threat "In My Eyes" 7" first press on red, Vicitims "Television Addict" 7" original or Chosen Few "Jokes On Us" 7" (Aussie KBD).
What is a record you have been recommending a lot of late to customers?
My favourite release so far for 2013 is Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds "Push The Sky Away"
What exclusive Record Store Day releases will customers be able to find in-store on RSD?
We have ordered a lot of release, way too many to mention. Almost literally a bit of everything.
Do you have anything else planned for Record Store Day?
Like every year we will be having a sale which is a 20% off the marked price of all CDs & Vinyl. We will also be stocking a number of the special Record Store Day Releases on the day.
The year we have a special release from WEIGHTLESS which is a repress of the 2012 Clarity Records release “Self-Adjustment” which sold out very quickly. This is a Record Store Day exclusive and is strictly limited to 100 copies.
Resist Records
Basement 294 King Street, Newtown
(02) 9557 8771
In the past 12 months would you say business has been up or down in comparison to the year previous?
I think its been busier, sales have been a lot more consistent. The key is good releases – the more good albums are released, the better sales are in general!
Do you think the crackdown on piracy and restrictions placed on sites such as rapidshare, mediafire and megaupload has been reflected by your store trading over the past 12 months?
Not necessarily. I think a person who is going to download an album isn’t really going to go out and purchase the album regardless of how much they like it. A collector will still want to buy a physical product. The restrictions on piracy just make it a little harder for the downloader to find a link. Im sure this is seen as an inconvenience to those who are downloading music.
What would be one of the major costs customers probably overlook when it comes to comparing prices online to that instore?
Shipping! 98% of our stock comes from the US and it’s not cheap to send this stuff over.
How important does band merchandising factor, in terms of store stock for you and how does it sell in comparison to physical music formats?
I think it’s an age thing. Often the younger customers will only look at and buy merch and not even notice the racks of music. Often they buy shirts from bands they have never heard of but think its cool. Older customers will only look at music and buy a new shirt once or so a year. Merch sales are definitely on the increase, in saying that so many bands tour these days that it’s harder to get them to spend money instore.
How does Record Store Day rate in comparison to say the Christmas period or other heavy trading timeframes?
Christmas is definitely still the busiest time of year as you have a much longer period of time of people buying. You have the time leading into Christmas and then people with money from Christmas, where as RSD is just the one day. The profile of the day is definitely increasing and so do sales.
If they haven't already why should someone make the switch from CD to vinyl?
I think the vinyl product is a much better one from the art to the sound of the record.
Personally what is your most valued record you own?
Probably my Straight Ahead 12” or Together Compilation 7”.
What is a record you have been recommending a lot of late to customers?
The Rival Mob “Mob Justice”.
What exclusive Record Store Day releases will customers be able to find in-store on RSD?
We’ll have copies of Parkway Drive’s “Killing With A Smile” LP, Post Blue 7”, Poison Idea 7”, Nerve Agents LP, Integrity LP and a bunch of other bits and pieces. I also have a bunch of items in transit from the US unlikely to make it in time!
Do you have anything else planned for Record Store Day?
Other then the exclusive releases in stock, it will be business as usual.
Poison City Records
400 Brunswick Street Fitzroy
(03) 9077 0563
In the past 12 months would you say business has been up or down in comparison to the year previous?
We’ve had reasonable growth across our label / shop / distribution in the past year, which I’m grateful for considering the current retail climate. I’ve seen plenty of new interest in the label within Australia and overseas – which I’d attribute to a consistent stream of diverse releases; The Smith Street Band, White Walls, Lincoln Le Fevre, Paper Arms, Deep Heat etc. The hard work, touring and popularity of The Smith Street Band in the past 12 months has also opened up a bunch of new people to Poison City, resulting in more interest in our store and other releases too. I’d say our main growth areas have been vinyl, digital and online (mailorder). On the downside, we’re constantly battling with increases in shop rent, domestic/ international shipping costs, competition from o/s internet sales etc – I guess common issues that any small business deals with year by year.
Do you think the crackdown on piracy and restrictions placed on sites such as rapidshare, mediafire and megaupload has been reflected by your store trading over the past 12 months?
I don’t feel like it’s made much of a difference to us. If people want to download music illegally, there’s always going to be new sites/ sources popping up to replace Mediafire and alike. I just feel lucky that a majority of our customers seem to be genuine ‘music lovers’ and passionate enough about music to still enjoy purchasing records in a physical format. I’m sure many of our customers sample new music via streaming services – or illegal downloads, but I’m confident this practice also opens them up to new bands they may not have heard of without the internet - and that they’ll hunt down and purchase records from bands they really like.
What would be one of the major costs customers probably overlook when it comes to comparing prices online to that instore?
Obviously international shipping is the biggest cost – to/ from overseas. But what I also constantly explain to people (especially people from the US who can’t believe how expensive music, band t-shirts, skateboard gear etc is in Australia) is that the cost of living and wages in Australia are far greater than somewhere like the US. If you’re paying staff (or trying to pay yourself) as the owner of a bar, café, distributor, restaurant – or indie record store in Australia, you might pay $18-20 / hour…..the equivalent jobs in the US would pay $8-10 / hour – maximum! Same goes for shop rent/ advertising/ printing/ CD + LP pressing/ domestic postage…..it’s simply more expensive to do business in Australia and that drives our retail prices up. Always surprised how many people don’t understand basic economics.
How important does band merchandising factor, in terms of store stock for you and how does it sell in comparison to physical music formats?
Band t-shirts and merchandise is crucial for our store – it’s another avenue of income and usually goes hand in hand with retailing music. At a guess I’d say we turn over about the same in band t-shirts as records.
How does Record Store Day rate in comparison to say the Christmas period or other heavy trading timeframes?
We’ve celebrated RSD at Poison City for the past 4 years and have seen interest in the day/ event grow every year. I’d say RSD 2011 and 2012 were as busy as our week leading up to Xmas – or Poison City Weekender weekend - another very busy time for the PCR shop. Last year was especially crazy as we released a limited edition ‘Tribute To Blueline Medic’ LP on RSD which got many of our regular customers pretty keen.
If they haven’t already why should someone make the switch from CD to vinyl?
I don’t think anyone has to switch to vinyl – the way we consume music is a personal choice. Ideally it’d just be nice for people to ‘buy’ music one way or another. We still have lots of customers that only buy CDs for a number of reasons. Personally I find more value in buying vinyl these days – especially with the inclusion of download codes. I can listen at home on a record player, enjoy the larger format artwork – but then also put the songs on my iPod for work/ travel.
Personally what is your most valued record you own?
Probably SEAWEED ‘Spanaway’ LP (one of my favorite albums – took me years to track down a copy), SWERVEDRIVER ‘Mezcal Head’ LP and maybe a first pressing of STIFF LITTLE FINGERS ‘Alternative Ulster’ 7” (played that one A Side song so many times in my early 20’s – on a shitty record player, I’m surprised it still works).
What is a record you have been recommending a lot of late to customers?
Ahh, best part of the job! Just depends on the customer, but some recent favorites that I’ve been recommending would be stuff like Dikembe, Harmony, California X, Joyce Manor, GIVE, Infinite Void, Restorations and White Walls. With younger folk, it’s nice to introduce them to some older era stuff that I think they might dig. Also being on Brunswick Street we get lots of international tourists through – if they’re into punk/ hardcore, it’s cool to turn them onto good Australian bands.
What exclusive Record Store Day releases will customers be able to find in-store on RSD?
We’re releasing an exclusive Split 7” between WHITE WALLS and DEEP HEAT. There will be a few colors available, but the limited Electric Blue w/ Silver Splatter version will only be available from Poison City and select indie stores on RSD.
We also have a special edition of THE SMITH STREET BAND’s ‘No One Gets Lost Anymore’ LP only available instore– featuring reinterpreted artwork by Aaron Coping and Annie Walter. These are limited to 25 x copies each – all hand numbered and printed on recycled card stock. $10 from each LP also goes to Edgar’s Mission Animal Sanctuary.
We have a bunch of overseas RSD releases on order – but don’t expect them all to arrive in time for April 20th unfortunately. We’ll see!
Do you have anything else planned for Record Store Day?
Not specifically – just look forward to celebrating our great community of bands, family and friends.
Kill The Music
Level 1, 161-163 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
(07) 3012 7751
In the past 12 months would you say business has been up or down in comparison to the year previous?
Over the last 10 months I have been so busy between running the shop and now being a marriage Celebrant that I have no idea what the hell is going on. I guess the question should be “Do you think you are capable of running your own business?”, and I would say after 6 and a half years of doing Kill The Music I would say No.
Do you think the crackdown on piracy and restrictions placed on sites such as rapidshare, mediafire and megaupload has been reflected by your store trading over the past 12 months?
I honestly had no heard anything about the crackdown, I don't download so I never see it's effects. It's still as strong as ever, people will always want their music for free, its very, very sad, but true.
What would be one of the major costs customers probably overlook when it comes to comparing prices online to that instore?
Soooo many, rent is HUGE!!, electricity, phone, staff, a door breaks, a lock needs fixing..it's a million boring things. The most depressing overhead is having to go and buy more printer ink just to be able to print out more bills.
How important does band merchandising factor, in terms of store stock for you and how does it sell in comparison to physical music formats?
Merch is just as affected by online sales as much as the music. We stock it cause I have always loved band merch. It's important because to me it is a huge part of punk rock. We collect shit, it's what we do....we need help!! haha
How does Record Store Day rate in comparison to say the Christmas period or other heavy trading time frames?
Xmas is a non-event really....I mean if we all sold alcohol or iPhones I would be off driving to visit Graham at Resist in my fucking BMW...but we sell the stuff that people just buy themselves. RSD is a great idea, it's just a little touch and go as to what you are going get in. I mean we ordered a lot of stuff and we need to hope they bother to send some to a little store in Brisbane, Australia...and we have to pay for it all as well. But again it's collecting..and we need it all right?
If they haven’t already why should someone make the switch from CD to vinyl?
Well for us we have had to stop ordering a lot of CD's as we just could not afford to keep doing both with keeping up with getting more an more releases. I love CD's and Vinyl...but bigger is better right?
Personally what is your most valued record you own?
I have Jealous Sound Test Press which I kinda dig, otherwise I just take pride in all my wife's Mineral LP's and 7”. My Applessed Cast collection is pretty sexy as well!
What is a record you have been recommending a lot of late to customers?
It's usually the stuff we play a lot that people seem to ask us about, I still play the last Title Fight a lot, the last Basement record and way too much Thrice and Moneen really. I'm a terrible salesmen haha
What exclusive Record Store Day releases will customers be able to find in-store on RSD?
I am typing this with fingers crossed for Owen, Cave In, Rocket From The Crypt, Earth Crisis "Firestorm" Botch "American Nervoso", Samiam "Clumsy", Manchester Orchestra/Frightened Rabbit "Split", Touche Amore/Title Fight Split, Now, Now "Neighbours", Postblue "Lap Year RSD" and Coheed & Cambria "The Afterman: Descension". I even ordered a goddam Cypress Hill re-issue!!!
Do you have anything else planned for Record Store Day?
We have tried to get a Circa Survive acoustic set for the Friday night, but that is all in the promoters hands and depending on time etc...if not I plan to get to work have a terrible breakfast and play the same records I play everyday and hopefully sell some shit. We are not an exciting bunch up here...sorry.
Repressed Records
413 King Street, Newtown
(02) 95576237
http://www.repressedrecords.com
In the past 12 months would you say business has been up or down in comparison to the year previous?
Pretty much exactly the same really. New vinyl sales have improved a lot though.
Do you think the crackdown on piracy and restrictions placed on sites such as rapidshare, mediafire and megaupload has been reflected by your store trading over the past 12 months?
Nope, not really. I still think tight-wads should pay for shit though.
What would be one of the major costs customers probably overlook when it comes to comparing prices online to that instore?
Probably shipping and GST costs
How important does band merchandising factor, in terms of store stock for you and how does it sell in comparison to physical music formats?
We’re very niche vinyl wise, so I think merch appeals to your weekend shopper who isn’t gonna buy vinyl. It doesn’t sell as good as vinyl, but it’s an important part of the store
How does Record Store Day rate in comparison to say the Christmas period or other heavy trading timeframes?
Best day of the year last few years, but Christmas goes over a sustained period of time.
If they haven’t already why should someone make the switch from CD to vinyl?
Nicer, better presented and more fun to play.
Personally what is your most valued record you own?
Probably Velvet Underground and Nico on Verve but my personal fave is Sonic Youth “Daydream Nation” for some reason. I love the gatefold and bought it in my teens.
What is a record you have been recommending a lot of late to customers?
Dick Diver “Calendar Days” and the Dead Moon re-issues
What exclusive Record Store Day releases will customers be able to find in-store on RSD?
White Stripes “Elephant”, At The Drive-In “Relationship Of Command”, Flaming Lips “Zaireeka” 4 LP set, Rocket From the Crypt “Group sounds”, Half Japanese Box Set, Venom “Black Metal” coloured vinyl.. Loads more hopefully
Do you have anything else planned for Record Store Day?
We got Kim Salmon in-store from 4pm and we’re giving away a double pass to Dig It Up Festival to someone who purchases something on the day.
Rest Assured Records
Due to the popularity of the POSTBLUE "Lap Year" test press cover artwork we've decided to alter it a touch for a very limited run of twenty Record Store Day 2013 seven inches.
These records will have hand numbered and stamped sleeves and will only be available from Kill The Music, Clarity, Posion City and Resist.
Colour split will be as follows…
Kill The Music – 5 X Qld Maroon
Resist – 5 X NSW Blue
Poison City – 5 X Storm Purple
Clarity – 5 X Power Blue
These will cost $10 each and will not be available anywhere else or online, so be sure to get to one of the stores above on Saturday April 20th.
Unfortunately we didn't hear back from Beatdisc but below is what they have planned.
