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I can ignore the special merch and vestiges of corporatocracy with no problem when there's a party going on. I'm not alone. In Rochester there will be parties. The Bop Shop, doing well after their arduous move a few years ago, is showcasing a large collection they acquired from the estate of a local musician that looks really interesting. There is always something to buy, new and old. They'll have bands all day, with more activities on Sunday, beer tastings, and craft coffee. Record Archive is putting on a show, featuring a few more of the hottest bands in town, more beer, and food trucks - including my fav, La Petit Poutine. They highlight, "Tons of RSD limited releases - giveaways - fun for the whole family - tons of $1 records*." Needle Drop is necessarily participating in a small way. It's a small place. So is Lakeshore Records. Not sure if the CD Exchange ever did much with RSD, but it is gone anyway, morphed into the Hi Fi Lounge, a CD store with some vinyl and a gear store that is emphasizing turntables. Rather than RSD this year, they are sponsoring a popular record fair to be held May 16 that brings out the collectors. Another sign of the times: none of these three brick and mortars have a Web site. Just social-media. That's what I know - probably leaving someone out. We're apparently an anomaly; Rochester's got record stores. And buyers of records, though I suspect there is still more supply than demand. Still, out of all the confusion and distraction and change, some young people are seeking music as foreground activity. A week doesn't go by that several don't ask about where to get a receiver or a turntable, CHEAPLY, which gives a clue to how important that GDP comparison is. The record stores have found themselves in the second-hand gear business. I caution people that looking only at the major metros, where the major media is, can give a skewed image of the overall reality. How much of the used record trade gets seen by Soundscan? Whatever the resurgence of vinyl means to the future of physical media, it is the survival of experienced retailers that forms its basis*. And those that did survive the lean years must owe something to RSD and the idea that a national event lends credibility to what started to look like an anachronistic business. When it comes time to renew a lease or sign a new one, that sort of thing probably makes a difference. Thanks for sharing that, Eric. -----Original Message----- From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric Cartier Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 7:40 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [ARSCLIST] Record Store Day and the Ambivalent Branding of Independence Hi all, The eighth annual Record Store Day (RSD) is set for this Saturday, and Eric Harvey, Pitchfork contributor/Assistant Professor of Communication at Weber State University, wrote an interesting article about RSD: http://pitchfork.com/thepitch/736-record-store-day-and-the-ambivalent-branding-of-independence/ I regularly visit record stores to look for and buy used vinyl, I occasionally purchase select new releases with accompanying download cards, and I've attended three consecutive RSDs, but I'm not sure I'll participate in RSD this year. The manufactured exclusivity of the often overpriced records and their unequal distribution/availability are problematic. What do you all think about this recorded sound holiday? Sincerely, Eric Cartier Digital Librarian University of Maryland Libraries