Digital music sources like Pandora and Spotify have exploded in popularity over the last several years. Convenient as these sites may be, it’s often argued they lack the enduring charm and character of the classic vinyl record.
Since 2007, the third Saturday in April has been celebrated as National Record Store Day. Record stores across the U.S. will commemorate National Record Store Day on April 20 with events like in-store performances, special discounts and meet-and-greets. Hundreds of artists release special records as exclusives for this event.
Local record store Atomic Pop Shop on Government Street will join in the celebration. Its event, which features live music, special giveaways, limited releases and a storewide sale, will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday. This is Atomic Pop Shop’s second year hosting an event for National Record Store Day.
Store owner Kerry Beary anticipates long lines and a nice crowd because everything will be first come, first serve.
Atomic Pop Shop will have plenty of limited releases this year, including Blind Melon, Black Swans, Lamb of God, Stephen Malkmus and Sigur Rós. Some of these releases are limited to only 250 records.
Highly anticipated releases from David Bowie, Cream, The White Stripes, The Grateful Dead and The Flaming Lips will also be available. Local artists The Patsies, Secret Annexe and Clay Parker will perform at the event.
The yearly “mystery release” record is another highly anticipated pick. These records are limited releases and can only be purchased by independent record stores. Beary ordered 15 of the 5,000 mystery records, and she estimates they will cost between $12 and $18.
Beary’s passion for records led her to start Atomic Pop Shop almost two years ago. She believes Baton Rouge has a particular sort of customer — a customer she wants to target.
“They know what they want, they want music they can dance to … music they can make memories to,” she said.
Sociology junior Taylor Merrill said she loves records because they take her back in time.
“My records take me back to the mid-’60s — a time I wasn’t able to experience,” Merrill said. “The sound of music on vinyl is pure and perfect — it can break your heart.”
