By Shane Flug
Wax is hot again in the music industry, and every April the world celebrates vinyl and independent stores with exclusive releases and sales that are music to any collector’s ears. In honour of the 10th Record Store Day (RSD) on April 22, here’s our guide to starting – or expanding – your own collection.
If you’re not lucky enough to already have an old working stereo cabinet, you’ll have to go on the prowl. In addition to the audio and record stores featured in this Smart List, other shops offering turntables, amplifiers and speakers include Blackbyrd Myoozik, The Audio Room and Turn It Up! Records & Hi-Fi’s north and south locations.
At Blackbyrd Myoozik, also look out for accessories such as cleaning kits and pre-amps (for current amps without phono stages) and replacement parts such as new styli and cartridges. Of course, like any home theatre or audio investment, if you’re not sure, just ask!
For both new and used, the local record shops included in this Smart List are good places to start, as well as Melodiya Records (a good place to go for underground punk and metal) and Blackbyrd Myoozik.
A major non-RSD event where you can meet fellow collectors and vendors while on the hunt for rare prints is Too North Records’ bi-annual Calgary Music Collectors Show at the Acadia Recreation Complex. In addition to vinyl, look out for rare and imported CDs and DVDs, memorabilia and T-shirts. With more than 70 vendors participating on May 7, there are sure to be some treasures to unearth. Entry is $10 during 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and $5 for general admission. You can also try the sellers at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association’s flea market on Sundays – bringing smaller bills is good collector’s etiquette.
Want to directly support local and touring bands? Look out for their merchandise tables at local shows in venues such as Broken City, Palomino Smokehouse & Bar and Nite Owl.
The chain store is dead; long live the chain store! For those nestled in Calgary’s suburbs, record store browsing won’t have to be an inner-city commute for long. Ontario-based Sunrise Records is undergoing an ambitious nationwide expansion, taking over leases for many now-defunct HMV (R.I.P.) locations, including Chinook, Southcentre, Market, Sunridge and Marlborough malls. With a larger emphasis on vinyl with unique store inventories and local artist highlights planned, those who live in “subdivisions” won’t have to cruise far for the action. Check their website for opening dates coming soon.
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Discover more things to do in Calgary:
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Record Store Day on April 22 is the day to go on a buying spree in support of local record stores. Keep track of your favourite stores on social media to check out their own lists of RSD releases, sales and giveaways.
Sales include 20 per cent off new and used vinyl, CDs and posters at Heritage Posters & Music and 20 per cent off (mostly) everything at Blackbyrd Myoozik. At Blackbyrd, you’ll have a chance to win a Pro-Ject Elemental turntable and Spin Clean package. All weekend at Recordland, get 10 per cent off all new vinyl and 20 per cent off all used vinyl and CDs. First 10 at the door get a free Recordland T-shirt.
Make a night out of it at the Palomino Smokehouse & Bar’s RSD afterparty with Sloth Records All-Star DJs (upstairs) and Har Mar Superstar (downstairs).
Whether you’ve just started with a used copy of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours or you’re a seasoned collector hunting for the misprinted green cover of Metallica’s Ride the Lightning, Record Store Day is like Christmas for vinyl fans. Enjoy the hunt no matter your collector’s level and keep it loud year-round.
