I Need That Record!

Tomorrow (April 19) is Record Store Day, initiated to celebrate and promote increasingly threatened independent music stores. In a time when iTunes and Wal-Mart are the top two music retailers nationwide, indie music stores allow one to experience the joys of spontaneity and browsing, but are gradually being driven out of business by high rent, gentrification, and, of course, digital music.

My local record store--Groovacious--is offering 20% off everything in the store, live music, and door prizes. If you are fortunate enough to still have an indie music store in your area, you should drop by and check it out tomorrow. You might be surprised what you can find, and whoever is running the counter probably knows more about music than the teenage chumps working at Best Buy.

The four-minute trailer here is from a recent indie film (that I have not seen) that explores the unique cultural (and occasionally obsessive) experience of indie music stores. Don't let chain stores dictate your access to music!

Sorry if I sound too much like a shill here, but I really cherish the little shops where I've discovered hidden musical treasures. You will, too!