Shop ‘Til You Needle Drop
Music lovers worldwide are counting down to one of the biggest days of the year. On Saturday, April 18, die-hard fans will line up outside of their favorite record shop, no matter the weather (which you know around here could be anything). When the doors open, they’ll be the first to have exclusive access to albums by their favorite artists in record stores on Record Store Day.
What is Record Store Day?
If you haven’t listened to a song outside of the internet since Napster, you might not know about Record Store Day (RSD). According to the RSD website, it began when record store owners and employees decided to promote their stores and share “the unique culture surrounding nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally.” This will be the 19th Record Store Day, and it has grown into a huge cultural event.
Even if you know nothing about RSD, you may have noticed records’ recent resurgence. In fact, vinyl surpassed $1 billion in sales last year for the first time since 1983. And while you can buy LPs and 45s online or at most big box stores, your local record shop is still the best place to get advice, support, and a huge dose of nostalgia.
Why Vinyl?
Music is everywhere. You can pull out your phone and listen to almost any song in history. But records have a lot going for them. They give you a sense of ownership in a way that streaming does not (because you actually do own a record, but you don’t own the music you stream). And while you can buy and download songs, you miss out on the incredible artwork for album covers.
What about CDs or cassette tapes? You can love all of them, of course! Maybe you think the quality is better with a CD or you’re wistful for the romance of a mixed tape. However, I know I loved lying on the floor as a child, listening to records on my family’s Victrola and enjoying the crackly quality of the music that filled the room.
Jasmine Chandy and Karla Manzo of Third Eye’s Music & Video store in Annapolis also love all the musical options. But when playing a record, it’s not so easy to skip songs, forcing you to savor the music as the artist intended. “You have to listen to the whole album,” Chandy says.
She adds that physical media is important “for bringing community together. The last few years have made it harder for spaces where community can really grow to exist…as a younger person who had trouble finding a community in the past when I first moved to Maryland, my love for vinyl, and [Third Eye has] helped me meet awesome people…and find a place where I feel comfortable and happy. I strive to create that space for other customers when they come in, because I know how important it was (and still is) for myself!”
How Can I Get Started?
I’ve looked into getting my own record player. I read up on turntables, speakers, and all-in-one options. The internet has some strong opinions, and many posts make it seem like you need to spend thousands to do it right. But it’s more accessible than I thought.
The first piece of advice Chandy and Manzo give for beginners like me is that you don’t even need a turntable. Plenty of people love the artwork alone and will frame vinyls for their wall.
But if you want to both look at your vinyls and listen to them—which, yeah, that’s what I want—they say you don’t need the perfect turntable. “I had a briefcase player for about six years before I upgraded,” Chandy says. She adds that record players can range in price from $50 to $500 at their own store. “It just depends on what kind of an audiophile you are.”
She does not want to scare anyone off or gatekeep the community.
“Sometimes breaking into the vinyl community can be difficult, because sometimes people make it seem [inaccessible], but our goal, especially at our store, is to show people that you can break through, and once you do there is a super cool group waiting for them!”
What Can I Expect on Record Store Day?
There aren’t too many reasons you’ll find me in a line at the crack of dawn, but on Record Store Day it’s part of the tradition. According to the Instagram page for Annapolis-based KA-CHUNK!! Records, lines can stretch down Maryland Avenue and possibly the next block!
It’s only Third Eye’s second Record Store Day, but they expect a big crowd like last year. They tell me that one particularly enthusiastic person started camping out four days ahead of time. By the time you read this, there might already be a few tents up. But don’t worry, there aren’t likely to be fights due to cutting in line. I’m told that the vibes are usually excellent and people enjoy the experience and the company.
For the first people in line, they might win some fun giveaways. At Third Eye the first 10 people will get a t-shirt, pin, and tote bag. KA-CHUNK!!’s Instagram says they will have “free raffles for concert tickets to venues like The Anthem and Merriweather, plus maybe…some other fun giveaways too” for early birds.
Some of the records of new and re-released music people will clamor for (after respectfully waiting in line for their turn) include the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack HUNTR/X Edition, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, and—rounding out the wide array of audiences—Bluey! You can find the full list of what might be at your local shop on the RSD website. The shops can’t promise everything will be there for every person who wants it. They place their orders and hope for the best.
For anyone who may not want to wait in line or be among the crowd, there are a few options. Some customers choose to come later in the day. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get something specific, but you can pick through the leftovers. Also, you could stay home and wait until the next day when the albums drop online at 8 AM. Beyond RSD, Black Friday in November offers vinyl-lovers a chance to get new albums.
Titles are limited, so some locations only allow one title per person. Scalpers can take their shady business elsewhere.
Participating Record Stores
KA-CHUNK!! Records
Address: 78 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD, 21401
Phone: (410) 571-5047
Opening Time: 10 AM
More Info: Expect long lines down Maryland Avenue, and maybe onto other streets. The first 10 people in line will have their orders taken before opening, so their music will be waiting inside. Only 10 people inside the shop at a time.
Third Eye Comics
Address: 209 Chinquapin Round Road, Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (240) 858-1055
Opening Time: 11 AM
More Info: Line up at the back entrance to the Music & Video shop. People might camp out overnight and be in line early. 20% off everything in store (including RSD exclusives). The first 10 people in line will get a t-shirt, tote bag, and pin.
The Archive Records
Address: 8132 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: (410) 207-7222
Opening Time: 9 AM
Bird City Records
Address: 6 St. Marys Avenue, #102, La Plata, MD 20646
Phone: (301) 885-8946
Opening Time: 8 AM
More Info: The first 10 people in line will have their orders taken before doors open.
Kaiju Records
Address: 213 W. Main Street, Suite 104, Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (443) 944-8788
Opening Time: 9 AM but check their Instagram and Facebook pages for confirmation.
More Info: When they reach capacity, they’ll let one person in at a time when one customer leaves. One in, one out!
Trax on Wax
Address: 709 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone: (410) 869-8729
Opening Time: 9 AM
Celebrated Summer Records
Address: 3616 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: (443) 866-9988
Opening Time: 9 AM
More Info: According to their Instagram, “No holds no pre-sales and we are a walk-up store only so no mail-order.” There will be a sale of Snail Mail records not associated with RSD. The sale for that will start at 11 AM and “the line for those and the signing with Lindsey [Jordan] will be separate from the RSD line!”
The Sound Garden
Address: 1616 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone: (410) 563-9011
Opening Time: 9 AM
More Info: According to their website, “We are not doing numbered tokens this year. We will admit customers starting at 9 AM in line order. Feel free to line up anytime on Saturday. Items will be limited to one per customer until we have run through the entirety of the line. After that you may go back and shop RSD titles without restriction.”
Other Places to Find Records
Not every record store participates in Record Store Day. Some focus on vintage vinyl and resales, which are great options for budget-conscious buyers. Check out any of these suggestions for building your collection all year-round.
DeVintage Vinyl Records And Toys
Address: 4730 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD, Maryland 21122
Phone: (443) 743-8953
Hours: Monday to Tuesday, noon to 4 PM. Thursday to Sunday, noon to 5 PM. Wednesday by appointment only. Hours may be different, so visit their Instagram, Facebook, or website for updates. You can also call or text to see if they can open the store for you.
Tripp Records
Address: 55 Mayo Road, Unit 3, Edgewater, MD 21037
Phone: (410) 349-7736
Hours: Thursday to Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM. Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Closed Monday to Wednesday.
You can also find records at thrift stores, antique stores, garage sales, estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle, and more!
This is your cue to upgrade your audio and start your own record collection. On Record Store Day, drop everything (including the needle), get in line, and support our local record stores!
Kid-Friendly Dining Around Annapolis