Celebrate all things music: Record Store Day 2012

by Miriam Otterbeck

For five years, Record Store Day (RSD) has promoted and celebrated the culture of independent record stores.

RSD started in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the United States came together to celebrate their unique culture. This year on Saturday 21 April 2012, over 230 stores in the UK will take part in the global event.

Rare vinyl and CD releases are made exclusively for the day and artists make special appearances and performances in many London stores.

Check out the following record stores in the capital for exclusive signings and instore gigs to mark the occasion.

At Dress Circle,
Joe Sterling will performing numbers from his debut album
Somewhere In My Mind with Jos Slovick and Rosa O'Reilly from 11.30am until 12.30pm. After the showcase, they will be signing CDs. Ben Stott (Wicked, Into The Woods) will be appearing as a guest performer on one of the songs and Ashleigh Jones and Jonathan Eio will be signing CD’s. Dress Circle: 57/59 Monmouth Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DG, Phone: 020 7240 2227, Website: www.dresscircle.co.uk

 

At If Music, Marc Mac (4Hero/Visioneers) will be in-store signing his limited edition Hipology. The first ten peeps in will get a free T-shirt. IF Music: 36 Langham Street, London W1W 7AP, Phone: 020 7580 3338, Website: www.ifmusic.co.uk.

 

At Intoxica Records The Wolfhounds will be playing an acoustic/electric set at 3pm and Jonny Trunk will be hosting a raffle at 10am. Intoxica: Portobello Road, London W11 1LT, Phone: 020 7229 8010, Website: http://www.intoxica.co.uk

Kristina Records is open from 10am until 9pm with DJ sets by Veronica Falls, Raime, Blackest Ever Black, Auntie Flo, Cage and Aviary and House of Traps. On sale are a number of special and new releases. Kristina Records: 44 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 7Xj, Phone: 020 7254 2130, Website: www.kristinarecords.com.

 

Phonica Records has DJs and live acts performing all day: 1pm Keyboard Masher, 2pm Batid, 3pm Paul White and Alex Chase, 3.45pm Mo Kolours, 4.30pm Ashley Beedle, 5.30pm Gatto Fritto, 6.30pm Lady Blacktronika and 7.30pm
Egyptian Lover. Phonica Records: 51 Poland Street, London W1F 7LZ, Phone: 0207 025 6070, Website: www.phonicarecords.com.

 

At Rough Trade East the British Record Shop Archive will exhibit a collection of vintage and retro records. There are live performances all day: 12.30pm Johnny Flynn, 1.30pm Wet Nuns, 3pm Becoming Real, 4.30pm Little Boots and 6pm Keane. Rough Trade East: 91 Brick Lane, London E1 6Ql, Phone: 0207 392 7788, Website: www.roughtrade.com.

 

At Sister Ray the Simple Minds will be doing a signing, Billy Bragg is playing live at midday and Bob Stanley (Saint Etienne) will be working behind the counter with music journo Pete Paphides and Comedian Hardeep Singh.
There also will be raffle to win a white label vinyl copy of the new Jack White album. They open at 8am with free tea and coffee for the first 200 in the queue.
Every customer gets an eight page definitive guide to RSD 2012. Sister Ray: 34 Berwick Street, London, W1F 8RP, Phone: 020 7734 3297, website: www.sisterray.co.uk

 

The soul and jazz specialist Soulbrother stocks a range of RSD exclusive products and carries a selection of titles outside of these genres. The store opens at 9.30am with a free raffle to win classic soul and jazz CD's and discounts on purchases.
Soul Brother Records: Keswick Road, Putney, London SW15 2Hl, Phone: 020 8875 1018, Website: www.soulbrother.com