“The idea of, ‘The journey is the destination’ is put into action by browsing in an indie record store,” Patton Oswalt said. “Besides, a human being is a much better guide than a ‘More Like This’ link on the internet.”
Since COVID, the "browsing" element that usually goes along with Record Store Day may have been eliminated at most brick-and-mortar indie record stores, however, spots like Siren Records in Monterey, have gotten creative, keeping a revised version of the in-person shopping component intact while ensuring everyone remains safe.
“I want people to be as safe as they could possibly be,” says Siren Records co-owner Lorain Nicholson.
Nicholson says the safety measures Siren implemented on its two previous COVID-era RSDs, August 29 and September 26, will remain in place through the third and final RSD installment, dropping worldwide Saturday, October 24.
The breakdown of in-person shopping at Siren Records Monterey:
No one is allowed inside the store.
Shoppers must be masked and line up on the marked spots, six feet apart.
Siren will provide clipboards, pens and a list of the RSD releases it has in stock as well as a list of its best sellers since COVID (there will be space to write in additional titles).
Siren “runners” will collect clipboards and compile customer orders.
When customers arrive at the register at the store's entrance, their order will be ready for review and purchase.
“It’s almost like going through the In-N-Out drive-thru,” Nicholson says. “Most of the action usually happens within the first couple hours we open.”
Nicholson is bummed that customers won't be able to enjoy the normal in-store browsing experience, but understands how critical it is to keep everyone safe.
She expects the October 24 RSD to be the biggest of the three.
“People seem interested in more of the titles coming out for this one,” Nicholson says. “It’ll be exciting.”
It’s difficult to predict what titles shoppers will jump on. Nicholson was stunned that Siren's September RSD best-seller was Tyler, The Creator’s Cherry Bomb (The Instrumentals)—(the record is pictured above.)
“It was surprising how coveted [Cherry Bomb] was,” she says. “We were able to get a few more [copies] after the [RSD] so people didn’t have to go on eBay and get completely gouged. I hate that.”
Nicholson does have some predictions: She thinks one of the biggest sellers will be the Kali Uchis EP, To Feel Alive, from Interscope.
“It has a super racy cover,” she says. “I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this on vinyl—it should be in a brown paper bag or something.”
Meanwhile, Nicholson thinks folks will dig the trio of vinyl Austin Powers soundtracks and Rory Gallagher’s Cleveland Calling, a rare UME release of a previously unreleased radio session recorded at WNCR in Cleveland, could also be a hot title.
Nicholson also thinks Boston metalcore outfit Ice Nine Kills’ The Silver Scream: Killer Cuts will be a big seller: The 45rpm maxi-single is pressed on 10" silver and red splattered vinyl that looks like a buzzsaw.
Since COVID, Siren’s business has managed to stay consistent—most of its sales had already been through its online platform.
“Shutting our door was hard for locals, but it was business as usual online,” Nicholson says. “People were stuck at home, but they still wanted their music.”
She's most thankful that Siren has been able to keep their staff employed through it all.
Top Five RSD III Releases:
There are also a couple RSD III releases with a local connection to the Monterey area:
The Who: A Quick Live One (The Who's 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival performance is available for the first time on vinyl).
Wick Records Presents Battle of the Bands Vol. 1 (This tasty compilation features garage rock Salinas natives The Mystery Lights)
If RSD has taught us anything since it began over 15 years ago, it's that people will still wait in lines to buy vinyl.
“If there’s something special on the other side, you’re inclined to [wait in line]," Nicholson says. "[RSD releases] are still exciting for collectors [and music lovers].”
Siren Records in Monterey opens 10am on RSD III and closes at 4pm (may close earlier depending on foot traffic).
Additional spots for vinyl on the Monterey Peninsula:
Vinyl Revolution (309 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove :: 831-646-9020)
Recycled Records (604 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey :: 831-375-5454)
Reminder: Record Store Day Black Friday is still scheduled to kick off on November 27.
Check out: The Record Store Day Podcast, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
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