Record Store Day 2012 is fast approaching–we are 52 days away from April 21, 2012 at the time of this writing. There is always plenty happening nation-wide on Record Store Day, and this is just one little sampling. The dB’s did an in-store performance at the mighty Criminal Records in Atlanta, Georgia as part of Record Store Day 2011, and since “Amplifier” is a favorite around here…well, watch the clip, mark your calendars and get in the mood to buy some vinyl!
Fellow vinyl-loving blog The Vinyl District rolled out an app in late 2011 that record collectors should definitely know about. The TVD App is a GPS-based record store locator for iPhone and Android phones, a very exciting development that catapults TVD to a whole ‘nother level in the world of vinyl blogs.
Sure, Turntabling brings the snark about bad album covers and related things, but TVD has really given something back with this mobile app for record store hunters–it looks like a thing of beauty indeed! With plans afoot for our next Vinyl Road Rage, the cross-country record-buying spree we blog about every year, the TVD app could not be a more helpful or appropriate part of that planning.
How does the app work? We haven’t had time to test it yet–we WILL be doing an extensive field test in a post or three to come, but according to The Vinyl District, it’s fairly simple to use. “Have a 5 hour layover in an unfamiliar city? Hit the “All Stores” icon for directions to the nearest indie shop and while away your time between flights digging through the crates. You can also check in and share your finds on Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare.”
That is pretty awesome. Of course, this app is best served by crowd-sourced information. Did a brand new record shop open in your ‘hood? Did one close down? You can add new details in the app for the benefit of vinyl junkies all across the USA. The Vinyl District adds, “The TVD app also allows you to discuss your finds within the app’s social network—and we’d have been remiss if we didn’t allow you to follow TVD with real time updates—so we tossed that in too.”
This app is currently useful for record shoppers in the USA only, but if that changes, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, learn more or download the app at The Vinyl District-and please feel free to share any experiences you have with the app in the comments section, we’d love to know how you like it.
The best record stores know the in-store performance is where it’s at, and Permanent Records is no exception. Get an earful of the uber-noisy and fun Ty Segall doing “I Wear Black” at Permanent Records. Best part of this–noise and enthusiasm aside–is the bit right at the end where you can hear “…should play like that all the time!”.
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I’ve only managed a single visit to Chicago’s Permanent Records (located at 1914 Chicago, Chicago Illinois, open 11-9 daily) but really enjoyed the vibe of the store, the selection, etc…recommended! Plus they have a pretty good selection of podcasts and other downloadable media which you can enjoy at the official site.
One of the stops on Vinyl Road Rage 4 in Nashville was the most excellent Third Man Records, the boutique record store and home of the record label of the same name.
Jack White started Third Man after his recording contract expired with V2. The White Stripes signed with Warner to record Icky Thump, but Jack White pulled off a shrewd deal to keep the rights to vinyl pressings…and Third Man wasn’t far behind with reissues of the back catalog, plus new releases by bands like The Dead Weather.
If you’re into learning about the entire saga of Third Man, have a look at this excellent interview with one of Third Man’s major players, as published by Collector’s Weekly. It’s a pretty interesting look behind the scenes at Nashville’s prime iconoclast labels/record stores.