Record Store Day in Edinburgh and Glasgow
As Record Store Day (20 Apr) approaches, you’ll need to meticulously plan your diary to avoid missing out on some of the fantastic in-store events happening across Scotland’s beloved independent record shops, and carefully count the contents of your wallet before deciding which of the huge stack of exclusive and limited edition releases on which to spend your hard-earned cash.
Indie rock and folk fans will want to check out the in-store gigs at Vox Box in Edinburgh, featuring Incredible Strong Band founder Mike Heron’s new project, and Mike Hastings of Trembling Bells playing a one-off acoustic set. From local label Song, By Toad they have the innovative Adam Stafford (ex-Y’all Is Fantasy Island), Lancaster’s Rob St. John, and electro-pop band Magic Eye. From FENCE Records they have Girl Canaveral (i.e. one half of Kid Canaveral) and eagleowl, the magnificent, melodic Honeyblood, and experimental vocal ninja Wounded Knee. Over at Avalanche (open 9am), they have in-store gigs from 2pm from Glasvegas and Admiral Fallow, both supporting their exclusive RSD releases.
At Edinburgh’s Underground Solu’Shn they have the cream of Edinburgh’s DJs playing back to back all day, including Fryer (Jazzman Records), House Of Traps (Firecracker / Unthank / Shevchenko), Colvin Cruickshank (Wee Red Bar / Snide Rhythms), Fudge Fingas (Firecracker / Rush Hour), G-Mac (Bass Syndicate / Xplicit) and EH1. Both shops promise some very special records, happenings and super-secret awesome stuff as well.
Over in Glasgow at Love Music (also open 9am), there are in-store gigs king off at 2pm from Glasvegas (they’ll be loving the M8 that day), country-tinged rockers Woodenbox, ex-Endor mob Fake Major, Three Blind Wolves and the electric folk sounds of Washington Irving. There will also be a display from the Scottish Pinball Champion! Monorail meanwhile offer a slightly more family-centric day from 9am, with cakes, bands, DJs, and some kids’ activities to keep the weans happy while you browse the stacks.
If all that isn’t exciting enough, there’s always the chance to bag an RSD exclusive, like a 10” vinyl of a rare EP by Dame David Bowie, 1965. Or a new, untitled 12” of new material from industrial noiseniks Factory Floor. Or new music from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Zola Jesus, BEAK>, Brian Eno and Grizzly Bear remixed by Nicholas Jaar, Django Django. Foals, Evian Christ... the list is LONG. For more info on exclusive RSD releases, visit the website.