Gather round music lovers as this Saturday April 13 is Record Store Day, and Muscle Shoals Records are celebrating in the perfect manner: by shining a light on local artists and giving them a platform to perform on.
For those not aware, Record Store Day is an annual day worldwide to celebrate independently-owned record stores, their culture and the significance they play in their local communities.
Muscle Shoals Records will be embracing the day by hosting an epic celebration with bands and artists from the local area performing in store from 10am ‘til 7pm. Owner Marsden Williams explains that he uses the day as “something to reconnect with people who actually make the music”.
“We’re having eight or so bands [performing] all day long,” he says. “They’re all local – within three kilometres of this area.”
Punters should prepare their ears for power pop band The High Gears and the likes of Teresa Duffy-Richards, Julitha Ryan, Giant Moths and Clare Birchall & The Phantom Hitchhikers, plus more. Owner Williams will also be taking to the stage himself with the band 245T.
The score of talent comes from across all genres guaranteeing that whatever your music taste is, there’ll be something for you.
“We’ve got tonnes and tonnes of [vinyl] imports and tonnes of second-hand stuff and there’ll be DJs as well – local DJs. There’ll be a great mixture of rock bands but also local dance club DJs spinning the tunes between the bands,” Williams notes.
Having these local bands play is significant to Williams, as he believes people should know about local music in their area and be across the records they release. He also finds the day a good way to tap into what his customers are after when it comes to records. “I think Record Store Day should be community based; just being in touch with who’s in your area, who makes music and obviously releases records, is a good way of understanding what the punter wants,” he says.
Record Store Day is also a great way for locals to discover the hidden gem that is Muscle Shoals. As Williams explains, “It’s great when we see people who live in the local area and they come in and say, ‘we didn’t even know you’re here, this is incredible’.”
Not only will attendees be presented with live music but they will have an opportunity to get their hands on some quality vinyl. From second-hand local records to imported dance music, Muscle Shoals sells it all. Plus, as Williams notes, it’s not only music you’ll be buying but a piece of local history. “A good song is all important. I just think that vinyl is an amazing resource and there’s also history in local stuff.”
Williams recognises that records are a distinctive commodity and he’ll be the first to tell you why you should opt for vinyl over other forms of audio enjoyment.
“I think the thing that people don’t realise is that the audio quality is just so far out of this world in terms of whatever you can get from a CD or any kind of digital reproduction,” he says. “It’s like going to a really nice restaurant and having a really nice meal as opposed to fast food.”
Records play a key part in our cultural history and provide a second-to-none way to play audio. So, if you’re a music lover, Muscle Shoals is the place for you this Record Store Day.
“Record Store Day is the one day of the year we kind of have a license to print money if done correctly. But more than that, it sets up the mood for the rest of the year. So, if you put in a good Record Store Day, you’re assured of a good year basically.”
Check out Muscle Shoals Records at 504 Lygon Street on Saturday April 13 for Record Store Day. They’ll be welcoming in-store performances from The High Gears, Teresa Duffy-Richards, Julitha Ryan and more.
