MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Local record stores surviving, thriving ahead of annual celebration

Apr 18, 2014, 2:32 PM | Updated: 4:44 pm

Saturday marks the 8th annual Record Store Day,a day to celebrate the continued survival and even s...

Saturday marks the 8th annual Record Store Day,a day to celebrate the continued survival and even success of record stores in Seattle and around the world. (AP)

(AP)

It’s like Christmas day for music lovers. Saturday marks the 8th annual Record Store Day, a day to celebrate the continued survival and even success of record stores in Seattle and around the world.

In an age of digital downloads, it’s a surprise to some record stores still exist, but business is actually growing thanks to a resurgence in vinyl.

Soundscan reports vinyl sales soared 33 percent to 6.1 million albums last year.

Mike Batt, owner of Seattle’s Silver Platters Records, says the independent record stores continue to do well because people want the community and connection they provide.

“It’s a celebration of what we have to offer the community and instead of being just being a faceless thing on your computer screen, you can come in and talk to our people who love music,” Batt says.

The music industry has gotten behind Record Store Day in a big way, offering special limited releases from bootlegs to b-sides by everyone from Creedence Clearwater Revival to Nirvana. That makes it a Black Friday of sorts for the independent stores.

“We usually have, at all of our stores, anywhere between 30-100 people lined up at the door before opening waiting feverishly because some of these pieces are limited. Some of them – we’ll only have a few copies,” he says.

Along with the special releases, local stores like Silver Platters and West Seattle’s Easy Street Records will also feature live performances and other events to commemorate the day.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: Lewis and Clark High School students thought quickly to save their track coach's life....

Julia Dallas

Spokane high school students save track coach’s life after his heart stops

Two Spokane high school students used their quick thinking and past training to save their track coach's life last week.

1 hour ago

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

13 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

14 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

16 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

16 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

17 hours ago

Local record stores surviving, thriving ahead of annual celebration