Ahh April. Yet another brutal winter has ended‚ which means it's party time in New England. In college (St. Mike's for me) our celebration always included live music‚ free food‚ and a mechanical bull for some reason. College was fun and all‚ but this year I found a late April celebration with excellent music and without the splitting headaches or awkward Sunday mornings. April 18th was second annual Record Store Day‚ and the celebration was in full effect at Bull Moose Music‚ home of the folks who invented the holiday.

After a brief Q & A and an unscheduled encore‚ Ani went on her way and allowed staff a breather before Record Store weekend festivities continued. On Saturday‚ things were in full swing early‚ with a heap of free stuff being given away -- CDs‚ posters‚ tote bags and rare vinyl. Artists like Flaming Lips‚ Radiohead‚ Bob Dylan and Cold War Kids released rarities specifically for the date‚ and Wilco put out a new fim that ain't half bad from what I read. In the afternoon‚ over a hundred local headbangers lined up to hang out and get autographs from Killswitch Engage. The dudes in the band cheerily signed everything from guitars to Viking helmets to plastic lighthouses‚ and were all smiles the whole time. Screaming constantly onstage must be what makes them so relaxed offstage. Maybe everyone who's stressed out should start a metal group.
Record Store Day benefited from music aficionados of all types‚ ranging from the bands who offered up rare gems‚ to the fans who continue to support good music. With music sales going digital‚ a lot of people are speculating that record stores are a dying breed‚ but last weekend proved that record stores are about more than just sales‚ they're about community. But feel free to prove me wrong‚ next time you feel a sense of community while you're at home downloading Hinder's new single on iTunes‚ let me know.
Photo above by Amber Dorcus
Photos below by Matthew Robbins







related articles
Blog: Listen: Marco Benevento (Featuring Kalmia Traver of Rubblebucket) - "This Is How It Goes"
Shows: Record Store Day at Bull Moose Music
Shows: moe.down 10
Shows: Ani DiFranco w/ Hamell on Trial
Features: State of Mind: Best of 2008 Video and Staff Picks
More on: Ani DiFranco, Killswitch Engage, Record Store Day
Blog: Listen: Marco Benevento (Featuring Kalmia Traver of Rubblebucket) - "This Is How It Goes"
Shows: Record Store Day at Bull Moose Music
Shows: moe.down 10
Shows: Ani DiFranco w/ Hamell on Trial
Features: State of Mind: Best of 2008 Video and Staff Picks
More on: Ani DiFranco, Killswitch Engage, Record Store Day
new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
most popular
Blog: Radiohead: Adam King tries to convince me they are aliens…
Blog: New Video/Song From Dr. Dog - "Broken Heart"
Blog: Mountain Oasis welcomes NIN‚ Bassnectar and Pretty Lights
Blog: Mehliana Tour (Brad Mehldau + Mark Guiliana)
Blog: Video: Club d'Elf with Marco Benevento - "Bass Beatbox"
Blog: Reed Mathis and Victor Wooten Talk Bass
Features: Conversation with Kurt Rosenwinkel
Features: Conversation with Tommy Benedetti of John Brown's Body
Features: Conversation with Bill Kreutzmann
Shows: Rothbury 2009
Blog: Radiohead: Adam King tries to convince me they are aliens…
Blog: New Video/Song From Dr. Dog - "Broken Heart"
Blog: Mountain Oasis welcomes NIN‚ Bassnectar and Pretty Lights
Blog: Mehliana Tour (Brad Mehldau + Mark Guiliana)
Blog: Video: Club d'Elf with Marco Benevento - "Bass Beatbox"
Blog: Reed Mathis and Victor Wooten Talk Bass
Features: Conversation with Kurt Rosenwinkel
Features: Conversation with Tommy Benedetti of John Brown's Body
Features: Conversation with Bill Kreutzmann
Shows: Rothbury 2009