Spring is here, April showers are beginning to replace the gloomy Chicago winter, and “t-shirt weather” is just around the corner. This time of year is particularly special for music lovers and vinyl junkies like myself. Plenty of great record shows come around each Spring but the real vinyl event of the season is Record Store Day.
This annual record appreciation day will take place on Saturday April 20th and bring with it over 400 new releases and reissues from artists new and old.
The release list is generally heavy on vinyl releases, but this year includes the largest selection of CD releases in RSD history. Even a couple of cassettes made the cut. As in previous years, these releases are generally limited to very low quantities (sometimes as low 300-500), meaning it’s very likely you’ll miss out on some of these if you don’t get your shopping done early.
You can find the master release list at the official Record Store Day website in both a flashy web version and a convenient printable PDF (that serves as a great grocery list). This list is by no means complete, tons of smaller indie labels use Record Store Day to put out a new and exclusive records that don’t always make the official list. Start making your picks today and be prepared for Saturday’s record store shopping rush.
In celebration of Record Store Day 2013, we and our friends at Notes and Bolts (one of our favorite Chicago record labels and podcasts) are happy to offer up a copy of Radar Eyes brand new 7” Flexi, “Dreaming of Giants.” Being released as a Record Store Day exclusive and inspired by singer/guitarist Anthony Cozzi’s recent obsession with Twin Peaks, this new single is a dark, brooding, post-punk tune. The dreamy vocals will echo in your head for days.
If you miss out on the giveaway, you’ll be able to pick up this Flexi on Record Store Day for just $5 in two different versions, one packaged in a regular sleeve and the extra stylish Saki Records exclusive which comes packaged in a transparent envelope.
Record Store Day is all day celebration, so be sure to stick around for all the in-store performances. Saki Records (3716 W Fullerton) kicks theirs off at 1pm and you can catch Radar Eyes at 2pm. The rest of the show includes DJ sets from CHIRP Radio and a bunch of great local acts every hour. You can get more info and RSVP to the event on Facebook, here. You can also catch Radar Eyes Saturday evening at Empty Bottle, along with TV Ghost and Wax Idols.
Enter to win a copy of the 7” Flexi “Dreaming of Giants,” by sharing with us in the comments your most wanted Record Store Day release from this year’s list. A winner with a North American mailing address will be chosen on Wednesday 4/24.
Radar Eyes Facebook | HoZac Records
