Record Store Day 2013 took place on April 20th, so how did the retailers fare? Well, a conversation over Twitter with none other than Alternative Press Editor Jason Pettigrew sparked my interest. He had a grocery list poised for the big day, but since he is a die hard record collector, I found that curious. What the hell you can buy records any day its not as if they self destruct. But that's the hype. Quick special offers thrown down by local vinyl merchants..act quick, hurry up! Even our own Mary Magpie who was off on tour of Boston had to pull away to dash in to a record shop picking up some vinyl Elliott Smith. What? Are we sheep?
Well of course we are and vinyl sales are at a high not seen in fifteen years. According to Nielsen SoundScan, Record Store Day 2013 was the most successful day since the day began in 2008. Stores have averaged a 59% increase compared to the same week in 2008. Music fans search more for vinyl during Record Store Day. Vinyl sales were up 217% compared to the previous week and up 36% from the same week in the previous year.
Last week vinyl album sales accounted for 37% of all albums purchased.. 82% of all vinyl album sales last week came from independent music stores. So we are hoping on the vinyl bandwagon. Bringing attention to the media form apparently is all the rage in fashionable hipster flats.
Me I'm on the fence. I like the portability of streaming. I'm a die hard Spotify Girl, I cant imagine buying music in any tangible form again. I don't need the liner notes anymore (though there was a time when I got LPs just to see if I got a shout out) and well if I need lyrics I have Google to lend a hand. I guess I am not enough an 'audiophile' to appreciate the nuance that streaming blurs. I do like listening to songs with one headphone in for new perspective. Does that count?
'Record Store Day is a great way to shine the spotlight on the amazing experience that Independent record stores bring to music consumers,' says David Bakula (SVP Client Development & Insights, Nielsen Entertainment). 'With year-over-year growth, and exclusive packages in a format that consumers value with rich content, Record Store Day will continue to be an event that drives music consumers to Independent record stores.'
Yeah, until next April, save your dough.