Saturday is Record Store Day – the day to support independent record stores from Vancouver’s Neptoon to Fred’s in St. John’s.
“Record Store Day is always one of our favourite times of the year,” said John-Angus MacDonald of The Trews, this year’s Canadian Record Store Day ambassadors. “It’s a chance to collect rare and awesome obscure things from some of our favourite artists.”
The East Coast rock band – who are releasing a special edition of their 2005 album Den of Thieves – will mark the occasion by performing live at Dine Alone Records in Toronto.
Click here for a chance to win a signed copy of Den of Thieves on vinyl and a Kanto speaker.
Vinyl fans can also enter to win a signed City And Colour 7-inch vinyl and a NAD Electronics turntable by clicking here.
In the U.S. Pearl Jam is this year's Record Store Day ambassadors. Guitarist Mike McCreedy said, in a statement: "Support every independent record store that you can. They're really a good part of society. Know if you love music, this is the place to find it. And it helps people who work here and that's important, too. And it kind of takes an effort, you have to look for something that you want; you have to talk to people. It's a place to learn. It's a place to have fun. And it's a place to discover new music."
Record Store Day releases in Canada include vinyl from acts including Jim Cuddy, Teenage Head, Swollen Members, Oh Susanna, The Glorious Sons, and Wintersleep.
Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies will sign copies of his EP, Kevin Hearn and Friends Present: The Superhero Suite, at both locations of Toronto’s Dead Dog Records. Proceeds benefit MusiCounts.
“This project was a fun and epic way to make music with friends, all in the name of a good cause,” Hearn said, in a statement. “Music is a beautiful, universal language that can change lives. It’s powerful and healing. Every child should have the opportunity to explore, learn and make music.”
The Polaris Music Prize is marking Record Store Day by pressing 500 copies of its Cover Session 7-inch on white vinyl, featuring collaborations by Weather Station and Jennifer Castle. It’s available at 51 record stores across Canada.
Internationally, Record Store Day is being marked with vinyl releases from acts like Ace Frehley, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Motorhead, The Flaming Lips, The Rolling Stones, U2 and Weezer.