‘Record Store Day’ generates new business, exposes music
By: Mary Kate Dorr – Staff Writer
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, another popular American tradition is steadily approaching: Black Friday.
This year on Friday, Nov. 29, companies nationwide will be readying themselves for crazed shoppers ready to find incredible deals – but it’s not just big names like Target and Macy’s participating. “Record Store Day,” a worldwide event dedicated to gathering independent record stores to celebrate their unique shared musical culture, will be sponsoring a campaign titled “Back to Black” for Black Friday.
According to its website, recordstoreday.com, “Back to Black” is a promotion to focus on independently-owned record stores on a day usually dedicated to more well-known brands. The main goal of “Record Store Day” is to celebrate new releases in music rather than focus on cheap, mass production.
The event has announced a list of special releases in almost every genre that will be for sale to the public Nov. 29.
The master list is available on the website and has been available since Oct. 22. Since each record store participating is an independent company, individual stores will be carrying different releases. The master list includes a shopping guide to help music lovers decide which purchases they would like to make.
Many of the releases will be from famous names in the music industry including Dave Matthews Band, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Jack Johnson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Clash, Lady Gaga, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica and U2.
Dayton has several local stores participating in “Back to Black,” including Omega Music, located in downtown Dayton at 318 5th St. Tomiwa Balogun, a manager at Omega Music, said they have decided to participate in the “Back to Black” campaign because it is one of the only musical campaigns targeted at those who love and appreciate music and records to come together and celebrate independent record stores.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Balogun said.
She also described the new faces this promotion will bring to Omega Music, including many people who live outside of the Dayton area. This means independent record stores like Omega will be see more business come Black Friday, drawing attention to these smaller companies.
On top of the new releases, Balogun said she is most looking forward to seeing the record-buying culture on such a large scale.
“We love seeing record collectors coming out and talking to each other about music, and this day is a really nice culmination for that,” Balogun said.
This year, Omega Music is expecting more consumers, because “Record Store Day” has been growing every year. Balogun explained there will be local live DJ sets for the event, including DJ Philly Phil and Skratchmatic Turntable Assassin’s Crew.