NEWS: Big plans on Record Store Day for Cool Discs
Record Store Day was born in the USA in 2007 as over 700 independent record stores came together to celebrate their own unique musical culture and individuality.
Now, it is marked in stores throughout the world with many recording artists coming together to join in the festivities, through special gigs being arranged, meet and greets, the releasing of material made exclusively for Record Store Day and much, much more.
The day has become such a global success, not only because it has been embraced by local artists, but because it has also received the attention and support from the biggest names in music. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Daft Punk, Iggy Pop, to name a few, have all supported Record Store Day.
As Iggy put it when was Record Store Day ambassador in 2012, “A person should have a personality. You won’t get one dicking around on a computer. It helps to go somewhere where there are other persons. Persons who are interested in something you are. That’s how a record store or any shop that’s got some life to it should work. It’s not about selling shit.”
It is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the local record store worldwide, that although the music industry may be dominated by big companies holding power and influence, the individuality and knowledge you get from your local store is invaluable. The one to one interaction, the chat about local music, the scene, the dedication and commitment of the store is something you don’t get from a high street chain, or from an LCD screen.
Cool Discs is no different. Since first opening in 1996, Cool Discs has become a musical institution for the people of Derry, and has been heavily involved in the promotion and support of local talent.
Over the years, owner Lee Mason, has seen a huge change in the music scene “in the beginning, guys would have just picked up their guitars in their bedrooms and been happy not playing in front of people , but now, there’s a confidence amongst local musicians to get up and perform” he says. And when asked about his continuous support of local talent, “artists know they have a place on my shelf” he says as he point’s to his heavily stocked shelves of local musicians, which are sat in the company of well known names.
Lee sees Record Store Day as an important event in the calendar for independent stores worldwide. “It makes people realise that stores are an endangered species” he says. With live music instore throughout the day, and weather permitting outside as well, “independent stores are a great place to hang out, and talk about music and RSD reminds people of that” he says.
Derry's only independent record store will be celebrating Record Store Day 2015 with a host of live music and special RSD releases in store.
Music Instore: (from 3.30pm)
Martin Sweeney
John Deery
Waldorf & Cannon
Music in Sandinos (from 4.30pm)
Lady J
Gatefolds
Fabric
Autumns
