Sullivan’s Records owner Sam Lowe and employee Brooke Rawson, shown on April 11, 2024, are gearing up for one of the biggest music days of the year as Record Store Day returns on April 20.
This year's Record Store Day features a diverse collection of releases from new and well-known artists representing a wide range of musical genres. Shown here are a few of the offerings at Sullivan's xxxx on Thursday April 11, 2024.
Sullivan’s Records owner Sam Lowe and employee Brooke Rawson, shown on April 11, 2024, are gearing up for one of the biggest music days of the year as Record Store Day returns on April 20.
BILL LYNCH | For the Gazette-Mail
Standing behind the counter at , 613 Lee St., in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä, on a rainy Thursday afternoon, as a couple of customers picked through the bins of shiny, shrink-wrapped albums, Sam Lowe and Brooke Rawson said they didn’t know what to expect from this year’s Record Store Day.
Surprise is sort of built into the day, which most record stores hold twice yearly — on Black Friday, the day after Thanskgiving, and on a Saturday in April. This year’s spring event is this Saturday.
“Last year, when we were still on the East End, we had people out the door and down the front of the building,†Lowe said.
No complaints, he said. It was a good day to be a record store owner.
But then, ahead of Black Friday 2023, Sullivan’s Records moved downtown to 613 Lee Street East, just around the corner from Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill.
“We had a line that went up the street and turned down Summers Street,†Lowe said.
He said they saw about 200 people, which was a lot for their small shop.
Special items available on Record Store Day
For vinyl record collectors and music fans, there are few days bigger or better than Record Store Day.
Twice a year, independent record stores around the country roll out special releases, remastered and enhanced reissues, and limited-edition recordings — the kind of stuff that is like candy for music fans and collectors.
Previous Record Store Day specials have included rarities from David Bowie, The White Stripes, Bruce Springsteen and Prince.
Last year, Taylor Swift released “Folklore: The Long Pond Sessions†on vinyl. Her legions of fans (along with some enterprising aftermarket sellers) snatched up every copy they could get their hands on.
“Unfortunately, Taylor is not releasing a new record on Record Store Day,†Lowe said.
That’s true, but she does have a record dropping the day before, which will also be in the store.
Lowe said, “Oh, yeah. For sure.â€
This year's Record Store Day features a diverse collection of releases from new and well-known artists representing a wide range of musical genres. Shown here are a few of the offerings at Sullivan's xxxx on Thursday April 11, 2024.
Record Store Day began in 2007 as a way to celebrate the culture of independently owned record stores, which have often been good places to discover artists whose music wasn’t carried or promoted in big box stores. Many of them have listening stations or keep a heavy rotation of new and notable music playing on the sound system.
Independently owned record stores have also been spaces where fans could meet and exchange tips on what to listen to. While they have existed for generations, Lowe seemed surprised that record stores, like his, were still out there.
“When I opened this place, I saw this as appealing to a niche,†he said.
Lowe opened Sullivan’s Records in 2013. He’d worked at record stores before and was a vinyl collector himself. He didn’t expect to become wealthy selling records. He just wanted to make a living and have fun. He named the store after his dog, who still comes to work with him.
“But all of this just grew,†Lowe said. “I didn’t imagine that the 3-year-olds who came in with their parents when I opened would be coming in on their own now.â€
But they do.
“To my total surprise, I’ve got everyone from the grandparents to the grandkids coming in, to look for music,†he said.
He laughed, adding, “The kids call in with lists.â€
On Saturday, there will be plenty of things for serious (and not as serious) music fans to discover. Sullivan’s will have special releases from Noah Kahan, Fleetwood Mac, Paramore, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
While Record Store Day leans heavily into vinyl, there are usually a few other items offered with special cassettes and CDs often mixed in.
Sullivan’s largely sells records, but Lowe said they were beginning to sell a few CDs.
“I hear these things are the future,†he joked.
Vinylthon also a nationwide event
As part of the celebration, WTSQ 88.1 will be at the store most of the day playing records for its annual Vinylthon event.
Like Record Store Day, is a nationwide event with radio stations banding together to play vinyl records and raise money for charity.
Sullivan’s opens at 8 a.m. Saturday, but the line outside the door is expected to form earlier. Lowe and Rawson will be going through the line with a menu of the special releases to help process customer orders quickly when the store opens.
Customers are only allowed to purchase single copies of the Record Day specials, but there are no holds and no advance purchases.
“But you can get as many titles as you want,†Rawson said.
The main thing, she said, was Record Store Day is supposed to be fun.
