Music to your ears
A new spin on Black Friday: Limited-releases at indie record stores
“Black Friday.” It’s become an ugly two-word phrase highlighting the hyper-consumerism and “Buy Big” adages of corporate America. But, there’s a chance that you can find a new tune or two to carry you through another day of forced holiday shopping this season, thanks to the folks behind Record Store Day and their efforts to reform Black Friday into a day where “Shop Local” still rules.
In essence, it’s the antithesis of what we’ve come to associate with the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping holiday. Instead of blowout deals on mass-produced “goods,” Record Store Day’s (RSD’s) Black Friday celebrates with special musical releases from a select group of artists, available in limited quantity and only at indie record shops around the country and abroad.
And just like on Record Store Day, held around the globe each April, the select group of artists alone should be enough to have you heading down to Waterloo Records right now.
From posthumous releases from rock n’ roll’s forefathers—Janis Joplin, John Lennon—to unknown tracks from groups long-disbanded—Nirvana, The Misfits, Grateful Dead—approximately 35 limited releases will make their way to indie record shops on Friday, November 25, available only until they sell out.
And the releases really are limited, too. Most artists have issued between 1,000 and 5,000 copies of their records available worldwide. The one exception? A 7” vinyl box set release of The Beatles The Singles, of which approximately 10,000 copies are available.
Behind the music, RSD’s Black Friday is a way to celebrate local business and artistry: something to be championed, and not forgotten, during the gift-giving season. Though not every store will carry every release, with such unique offerings across the board—everything from limited edition box sets to previously unreleased tracks and temporary replica tattoos (for Janis Joplin enthusiasts)—you can likely cross a few gifts off your list, while steering clear of any big box shops this Black Friday.
“We will call it a victory if less cheap toasters and socks are given as gifts and more awesome music by some of the greatest artists of our time exchange hands,” the RSD website proclaims.
We tend to agree. Cheers to a soulful, creative, pro-local take on Black Friday.
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For more information on RSD’s Black Friday, including a full list of releases and local participating shops, visit their website.