Record Store Day: the two-sided coin

As both a consumer & staff member, a considerable amount of years were spent inside the building pictured on the right (many moons ago).  Musically speaking, it’s largely responsible for a lot of what I’ve gratefully been exposed to.  So, as National Record Store Day arrives once again, my reflection on the experience and the mark that this institution has left encourages me to see two sides of the coin (which is happening more and more these days).

One side mourns the physical sense of interaction with the culture itself: dozens of heads discovering new slabs of vinyl wax, simultaneously; some were old friends and fam, others were complete strangers that may eventually become old friends and fam.  Regardless, we were all there under one common cause, which was the continuous search for the perfect beat.  And ultimately, the results included life lasting friendships, business ventures, and creative stimulation beyond imagination.

The other side of the coin unearths the natural need for change.  The only thing anyone’s ever promised is that nothing stays the same.  Change is inevitable. Brick-and-mortar mom & pops (and the wonderful vinyl 12-inches & 45s found in them) consistently led the charge for discovery of new sounds, artists, labels, and scenes; while national chains/ big boxes opened their doors to the mall rats & latecomers.  But it was never supposed to end there.  Therefore embracing today’s way of distribution and production helps spur the only thing that is ever promised to any of us…change.  *The key to best managing this change is bridging the best of what once was with the exciting unforeseeable future that lies ahead…making for quite an interesting present. 

Because of such awakening to the 2-sided perspective on it, I’m somewhat awkwardly led to believe that these portraits and the sign of the times we’re witnessing aren’t necessarily as sad they may initially seem.  Happy Record Store Day:::