1 week Ago By Gare Joyce
Jason Meyer came with high hopes but still could scarcely believe his luck. Meyer was again one of the dozens of shoppers who lined up outside Brian’s Record Option on Princess Street at dawn Saturday, just as he had last year. From Road Dog Music Supply in Whitehorse to Fred’s Records in St John’s, this scene played out across the country with the marking of the 18th annual Record Store Day Canada, a celebration of the nation’s independent sellers of vinyl.
Brian’s Record Option was one of 203 stores across the country and one of three in Kingston offering up one-time-only special deals on exclusive releases, which made for a long day at the cash register for Brian Lipsin, the founder and proprietor of the store that has been in business for 45 years. “Normally I’d be here at 6 a.m.
and be the second or third person in line, but I’m a new father, so I was a bit late getting here,” said Meyer, who works in marketing. “I had to do dad duties, but then I hustled over here.” Meyer said there’s nothing wrong with shopping online for rare and collectible vinyl, but the stock made available at Saturday’s event “isn’t going to be available on Amazon.
” Meyer describes Record Store Day is a a high holiday and holy day for “musos,” his kindred spirits who are hardcore regulars at Lipsin’s store. “For us the appeal is pretty clear,” he said. “It’s exclusive.
It’s supporting local businesses. and it’s a social event, a chance to meet other people who are into the same thing that you are. For the stores, it’s a chance to attract some people who are new to the record-store experience.
” The retailers announce titles that will be made on Record Store Day months in advance and buyers like Meyer track the offerings and budget accordingly. Over the course of his visit, Meyer picked up 16 albums and declined to say exactly how much money he dropped. “I don’t want people dropping by knocking on my door,” he said.
To put it in the ballpark, you could have a weekend getaway for less.” Making Meyer’s Record Store Day this year was a rarity: a reggae album by the artist Sister Nancy. “It’s a vintage recording from a time when women didn’t do reggae,” Meyer said.
“Originals from the 80s are about $700, but this is an exclusive pressing and to get it in great condition for $50 makes it all worthwhile.” [email protected].
