Brooklyn is spinning right round like a record, baby!
Saturday April 19 is Record Store Day — an annual event in which vinyl vendors across the country sell limited edition releases, often accompanied by live concerts, DJs, and other in-store events.
Not all local music merchants opt to become “official” vendors of the Record Store Day exclusive titles, but many still use the opportunity to hold sales, shows, and other festivities.
Here is a guide to the borough record retailers that will be doing something special on the day.
Rough Trade
The Williamsburg indie-music megamart is going all out for its first Record Store Day, with a whopping 13 bands and DJs playing in-store throughout the day. The eclectic lineup includes British duo the Rails, Syracuse punk rockers Perfect Pussy, local singer-songwriter Amen Dunes, former Miracle Legion front-man Mark Mulcahy, and a DJ set from former Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde.
[64 N. Ninth St. between Kent and Wythe avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 388–4111, www.roughtradenyc.com].
Human Head Records
The prize for the most inventive Record Store Day celebration goes to Williamsburg vinyl emporium Human Head. The store will be hosting a record-cutting expert, who will burn any song you bring in — on CD or mp3 — onto a 7-inch vinyl while you wait. The store will not be selling official Record Store Day releases, but it promises discounts on all inventory in the store.
[168 Johnson Ave. near Graham Avenue in Williamsburg, (347) 987–3362, www.humanheadnyc.com].
Heaven Street
This Bushwick metal, punk, and hardcore specialist is not stocking any of the official Record Store Day releases, but has stockpiled around 1,000 rare records, which it will be unleashing on the day.
[184 Noll St. between Flushing and Wilson avenues in Bushwick, (718) 381–5703].
Earwax Records
Williamsburg’s stalwart vinyl slingers will be selling Record Store Day limited edition releases on the day.
Earwax Records [167 N. Ninth St. between Bedford and Driggs avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 486–3771, www.earwaxrecords.net].
Permanent Records
This friendly Greenpoint neighborhood record retailer will open early at 10 am to pack in more buying time, and will have every Record Store Day limited release in stock.
[181 Franklin St. between Greenwich and Hudson streets in Greenpoint, (718) 383–4083, www.permanentrecords.info].
Academy Records Annex
Academy’s Greenpoint outlet will be selling Record Store Day releases and hosting singer-songwriter Steve Gunn (formerly of Kurt Vile’s backing band the Violators) for an in-store performance.
[85 Oak St. at Franklin Street in Greenpoint, (718) 218–8200, www.academy-lps.com].
Record Grouch
There is no reason to be grouchy at this Greenpoint store, which is not an official Record Store Day retailer, but will be selling some of the special releases nonetheless.
[986 Manhattan Ave. between Huron and India streets in Greenpoint, (718) 389–0122, www.recordgrouch.com].
The Crate
Wrecords By Monkey — which makes jewelry and accessories out of old records — is opening storefront and record store in Williamsburg called the Crate on April 19. It won’t have any of the special releases, but it will have DJ sets from APSPDR+ and Silent Rider, $1 records, and free beer.
(304 Boerum St. at White Street in Williamsburg, www.wrecordsbymonkey.com).
Halcyon
Dumbo vinyl store Halcyon specialises in electronic dance music, so it is appropriately celebrating the day with live DJ sets from Sapphire Mansions, DJ Domewrecka, Roman Lindau, and Anthony Collins from noon–8 pm. It will also be selling Record Store Day releases.
Halcyon [57 Pearl St. at Water Street in Dumbo, (718) 260–9299, www.halcyontheshop.com].
Black Gold
This cosy Carroll Gardens coffee, antique, and record store will be selling the limited edition releases, plus putting some of its regular stock on sale and unveiling some new arrivals.
[461 Court St. near Luquer Street, (347) 227–8227, www.blackgoldbrooklyn.com].
