130 stores participating in Record Store Day Australia

Almost 130 independent and chain music stores are participating in Record Store Day Australia this Saturday. There are 44 from Victoria, 38 from NSW, 17 from Queensland, 15 from WA, 13 from SA and five from Tasmania. The current list is on www.recordstoreday.com.au with more stores being added each day.

On offer are in-store live sets, signings, limited releases and sales, as music stores remind the public (and the industry) of the valuable role they play in the breaking and discovery of new music. In the six years since the day was launched with the support of the Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA), there has been a huge resurgence of vinyl sales in this country.

Last year, ARIA figures showed that 277,767 vinyl albums were sold in Australia (up 101.7% from the 137,658 long players snatched up in 2013). This represented a revenue of $6.4 million, up 127% from $2.8 million.

Among the activities are Amber Lawrence and Jason Owen at St Mary’s Sound in Richmond, Sydney.

Record Store Day ambassador Joe Camilleri fronts Black Sorrows to perform their Endless Sleep album at the Basement, Melbourne.

The Time Machine in Nambour, Qld has live music from Scraps; Brainbeau; The Perries and The Scrapes, as well as their own poster for the day, and 20% discounts.

Leading Edge Music in Colac, Victoria has a $100 gift voucher competition.

Greville Records, Prahran in Melbourne has Paul Kelly and Saint Jude live.

Streetlight in Adelaide hosts performances by Ghyti, EMU; Stables Vices; The Yabbies from 3pm.

Dave Leaupepe of Gang of Youths swings by RedEye in Sydney at 3pm for an acoustic set and album signing.

The Native Cats use the day to launch their new cassette at Tommy Gun in Hobart. Unknown Treasures in Perth has 15%of all second hand albums and a DJ spinning through the day.

Tym Guitars in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane has Sydney’s Sounds Like Sunset, Captives from Tasmania on their first trip north; Golden Bats and Columbia Buffet and a one-day offer of The Hard Ons’ Girl in the Sweater 7" single.

Eureka Rebellion Trading in Collingwood, Melbourne, in addition to discount for all vinyl and CDs, DVDs and 45s from $1, also has a barber shop on site.

Image: 78 Records
Photo Credit: Amber Bateup