Sat 4/18 @ noon-7PM
Record Store Day was started in 2007 as a way of helping the stores fight back against the onslaught of digital music by providing exclusive products that could only be bought by walking into a physical store.
As many music fans know, things haven’t always gone smoothly, with fast operators somehow managing to list many of the most desirable releases on eBay for very high prices even before the day takes place.
That’s one of the reasons that Blue Arrow Records’ owner Pete Gulyas decided that the store he owns with his wife Debbie would be opting out of participating this year. (You can read a full explanation of his reasons here).
Instead, he’s put together his own event to draw in patrons, which he’s calling Customer Appreciation Day. There’ll be music in the store all day, featuring Detroit troubadour Ethan Daniel Davidson, Clevelander John Kalman of Roué/Founding Fathers/False Flag, who released a solo album in January, and area punk rockers the Nico Missile, plus guest DJ the Little Lighthouse and others TBA.
The store has also purchased music by these artists and other local acts including Rainy Day Saints, the Hot Rails and the It*Men to be given away. There’ll be a 10 percent discount on all records and a 20 percent discount on anything in the boutique, goodie totes, the opportunity to pet Rhonda or Vox (pictured), and more. What’s “more”? You’ll just have to stop in and find out.
Photo by Anastasia Pantsios