An annual event since 2008, Record Store Day was originally scheduled for earlier this month, on April 18th. When it looked like the stay-at-home orders would still be in place for retail establishments, they rescheduled the event for June 20th. And when governors began extending that order, the organizers realized they needed to take an entirely different approach.
Introducing "RSD Drop," a "special, properly distanced" approach that will be implemented on August 29th, September 26th, and October 24th.
The plan is to spread out the exclusive releases over the span of three months to give more stores a chance to participate, depending on what their local government allows. "The focus of these RSD Drops dates is on bringing revenue to the stores, as well as to the artists, labels, distribution and every other business behind the scenes making record stores work," they explain via a press release.
The titles on the RSD 2020 Official List (the one launched back on March 5th before all this happened) will be released at participating record stores on one of those three dates, and a new version of the list will be launched June 1st, with newly assigned RSD Drop dates.
So, while you might miss waking up early on a Saturday morning to stand in a line wrapped around the block to fight your neighbors for limited edition releases... Hey, wait, maybe this is a better idea. But if you miss the camaraderie and tradition of a typical Record Store Day, mark your calendar — plans are still in place for RSD Black Friday on November 27th.
It's like shooting fish in a barrel. KEXP continues our series spotlighting stuff you should buy to help support your favorite bands during the quarantine.
KEXP presents a series rounding up some of the most interesting band merch we can find, helping you support your favorite bands during this time of staying home.
KEXP has compiled a list of Record Store Day events around Seattle.
