This Saturday, April 13th is International Record Store Day! And no, it isn't just one of those every day made up hashtag holidays. Record Store Day was founded in 2007 by independent musicians and record store owners as a way to get people in the doors so that maybe while you're there, you'll even buy a record of... The Doors??
Record Store Day "is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities."
For some of us, Record Store Day is like Second Christmas. It's definitely the Black Friday of the music world, especially for serious vinyl collectors. But "aren't records old news?" Nope! They've made a comeback in recent years, outselling all other physical forms of music. Some of this is because with new artists, new albums, and some remastered vinyl, you get the physical album as well as a downloadable version so you can play it on your record player and also your smartphone. Now this should go without saying but that won't be true of any used albums you may purchase or your parents' collectibles of course, but it's an ongoing trend that has helped skyrocket sales, making 2017 the highest grossing year of vinyl since they began tracking sales in 1991.
Record Store Day involves tons of sales, specialized merchandise, rare presses, free goodies, and all kinds of fun events to get people involved not just in Record Store Day in Tampa, but also the community and the habit of shopping small and supporting local businesses in your area. The locations in this article are confirmed Record Store Day in Tampa Bay participants, and below is what they will be offering this coming weekend!
Mojo Books & Records is no stranger to the magic of Record Store Day in Tampa. Among their vast collection of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, and books lie some RSD merch from years past. They open bright and early at 8 a.m., and have all kinds of fun stuff lined up for the first ten people in line when they open. They also hold a vegan bake sale outside the store to help homeless animals which is a Mojo Record Store Day tradition, and a great way to help their immediate community.
SALES & SPECIALS:
- Mojo's first ever $1 vinyl sidewalk sale which will begin at 8:30 am
- Free drawing for people in line before the doors open (former RSD releases and more)
- Free Mojo T-shirt for the first 10 people in line
- Free drink of your choice from the coffee bar for the first 10 people in line
- Free official Record Store Day goodie bags with purchase (while supplies last)
- Free PBR during the in-store shows while supplies last.
- IN-STORE SALES: Buy 2, Get 1 Free on CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and Music Books
- Fresh JUST IN section with 700+ quality LPs debuted
- Vegan treats
- Uncle Mince's World Famous Seitan, serving up some good eats
LIVE MUSIC:
All performances are free and all-ages.
At opening: DJ Suspiria
Bands playing in-store:
4pm- The Jackettes
5pm- Charles Irwin
6pm- Story Mode
7pm- Crystallized
8pm- Jensen Serf Company
9pm- SOOT
10pm- Tim???
"Music portion Co-produced by Mojo Books & Records and Pocket Sand"
Kingfish Records will be starting the day off early and entertaining all day long with performances, free swag, and deep discounts. Get there early and be one of the first 25 to score some fun stuff like promotional RSD totes, tees, and CD's.
SALES & SPECIALS:
- All day giveaways & drawings
- Food & Free Beer
- $10 off Ukuleles
LIVE MUSIC
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Abraham Billings Group
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Dovydas
Live DJ between sets
Sound Exchange Tampa Bay will be celebrating their 12th year participating in Record Store Day in Tampa. Both of their locations will open at 9 am and this is one you REALLY might want to be in early for as you get advanced shopping privileges and there are some limited quantity items as well as limited edition merch.
Tampa store RSD hours: 9am-9pm
Pinellas store RSD hours: 9am-8pm
SALES & SPECIALS:
- First 10 people will get in 15 minutes early to shop
- Record Store Day exclusives
- RSD3 mini turntables and 3" records in limited quantities
Located in the heart of Seminole Heights, Microgroove Records is calling the whole community for their event. They will have all kinds of local vendors, musicians, and discounts for supporting their ever-growing community. They'll also have PBR (with valid ID) at the time of the shows. What better reason to check it out?!
- Commune + Co. Coffee will be there serving nitro-tapped coffee in the morning for the early risers
- Cappys Pizzeria Seminole Heights will be opening early at noon to sell/serve slices.
- Jug & Bottle Dept. will be there serving Kombucha.
- Uncle Mince's World Famous Seitan will have Vegan sandwiches available.
- The Independent Bar and Cafe will be offering 10% off your tab (with your RSD Microgroove receipt) all day!
LIVE MUSIC:
Begins at Noon (schedule subject to change)
LIVE MUSIC -
12:30 - 'Special Guests TBA'
01:30 - Hi-Beam
02:30 - Critical Hits
03:30 - Lassyu
04:30 - The Path of Increased Indifference
Planet Retro Records is teaming up with other record enthusiasts for a whole market this year called the St. Pete Punk Rock Flea Market complete with music, food, drinks, vendors, and of course records galore! Store opens at 8 and the market will be in full swing around 11 as will the tunes. Florida Skunk Rescue will even be there raising funds for their non-profit with their furry friends!
LIVE MUSIC:
Car Bomb Driver
LASER MOUTH
Liquid Pennies
Radio89
Scam Likely
Changer
PARTICIPATING VENDORS:
Beastie Toys
Odebear Press
Jonathan Perry
Yarn Daddy
Glampire
Altamonte Records
Oddity Collective
Cottontail Vintage
Stripped Music Diary
Black Damask Designs
Ricks Vintage
Wolfgang's Oddities
CPR Records
Mike Furbush
Navigator Hand Made
The Girl That Ate Suburbia
Spacebat Designs
Recycled Hearts Records
EB Designs
What Matt Draws
Laurie Humple
Looks That Kill Vintage
Made In St. Pete
Treehouse Booking
Oi Oi Punkwear
Florida Skunk Rescue
This favorite local record store is celebrating its re-opening with a bang this Record Store Day! Daddy Kool has moved to The Warehouse District and will be opening their doors with music, food, and vendors via Indie Flea. There will be craft beer, Black Crow coffee, live printing, Bad Suns signings, and more! Sure to be kool.
SALES & SPECIALS:
- Indie Flea 11 am - 4 pm
- Record Store Day exclusives
- Live music 5 pm - 8 pm
- Enter to win front row tickets to see Leon Bridges at Ruth Eckerd Hall
Bananas Music is also having fun and food trucks featuring Taste of Gourmet Food Truck. They too have special prizes and performances. They are even making their own unique T-shirts for the event courtesy of Extra Medium Screen Printing which helps out yet another local artist. Its gonna be Bananas! (Might I suggest Gwen Stefani's "Love. Angel. Music. Baby." album if you need to remember how to spell bananas.)
SALES & SPECIALS:
- Open at 9 AM
- Raffles & Prizes including raffles for two tickets to see Interpol or OAR coming up at Mahaffey Theater
- RSD giveaway items for those who purchase merchandise
- Food Truck
- Live music
- Exclusive customizable Bananas RSD 2019 shirts provided by Extra Medium Screen Printing
LIVE MUSIC:
Kalani will be DJing from opening to the start of the bands. The rest is as follows:
11am - The Jackettes
12pm - Gloria West and The Gents
1pm - The Vultures
2pm - Mary Gauthier!
3pm - The Wandering Hours
4pm - Vetnough
5pm - Reality Asylum
As you can see, Record Store Day in Tampa Bay is going to rock! If supporting local record stores isn't totally your thing, you could still win out this weekend with free coffee, live performances, new music, and if nothing else, there will be beer (& undoubtedly cool people). It really does mean a lot to these small store owners not only to make a few sales but to make new friends and new connections in the community. It also helps them and the artists performing and producing get some much-needed exposure in the area. Help keep vinyl alive, make your community thrive!
And for the latest on great events in Tampa Bay like Record Store Day, stay here at 813area. And make sure to register, it's free!
