International Record Store Day comes to Norwich

International Record Store Day to help promote local & independent music shops.

Friday 16th April 2010

What could be better than checking out new releases online, and with the click of a button, have the records of your choice winging their way to your front door in a matter of days? Internet shoppers frequently experience cheaper prices and wider choice, and with more great music than ever on offer, you'd think that would keep us happy.

It is, however, not that simple. As any dedicated fan would tell you, loving music amounts to more than just cost and ease. Music is history, music is sight and feel. Music is fashion, tribalism, stadium shows and pub gigs. The indy record store is an inconceivably important feature in this landscape.

Music is the smell of ancient records piled up on dusty shelves, their bright covers shining through the plastic wrap, urging us to take a listen. It is hunting through back catalogues, finding lost treasures and undiscovered gems. It is the knowledge of the staff, who may well still live with their parents at thirty, but could tell you enough about their top one-hundred to fill a dozen volumes.

Yet these much-loved sanctuaries are at risk. As increasing numbers of small businesses fall prey to the rise in high street space prices, music shops across the country are suffering. The onset of online buying and downloading has dealt a heavy blow, particularly when it comes to both indy bookshops and record stores.

International Record Store Day, a concept derived from America, aims to counterract the onslaught. Exclusive releases by a wide array of artists are set to debut on April 17, to help promote and support the independent industry. Paul Mills, of the well-known Sounclash Records, spoke to BBC 6 Music's Steve Lamacq on Wednesday:

“It's a great opportunity to remind everyone that independent retailers can survive, by providing a top quality, specialist service.”

For classical music fans, it's a time to cement their important status in the indy record industry. The classical section of popular music shops can often be found sorely lacking, with valuable space given over to sure-selling pop. Norwich is fortunate to have Prelude Records spearheading the campaign for a more even field. Andrew Cane, of Prelude, illustrates International Record Store Day's message perfectly:

"We've got the specialist knowledge that you don't get at chain stores or on the internet" he says.

"You can talk to real people".

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