Pitchfork: Pitchfork's Guide to Record Store Day

Tomorrow, April 19, music lovers from Memphis to Melbourne will unite to celebrate a vital global institution: the independent record retailer. Yes, this Saturday marks the inaugural Record Store Day, and with it comes all manner of free swag, contests, red hot exclusive releases, in-store performances, DJ sets, signings, meet-and-greets, and other assorted hoopla.

With so many goodies and so much going down at spots around the world, it may be tricky getting a handle on just what you can expect tomorrow. Keeping that in mind, Pitchfork has assembled a little Record Store Day highlight reel. Read on, friends, and start gathering that allowance/beer/trust fund money. You're going to be buying some records tomorrow! (And, we sure hope, buying records many other days this year too.)

The list of participating stores can be found here.

First, of course, there are the exclusive releases, several of which you've already read about in these pages. Stephen Malkmus and Matador will serve up the "Cold Son" 10", Vampire Weekend whipped up that "A-Punk" 7", and Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., Built to Spill, and the Black Keys each have their offerings as well.

What's more, Merge will issue copies of a free split 7" featuring exclusive tracks from Destroyer and Wye Oak to participating stores, and Beggars will also make available a Breeders 7", three Teenagers 7"s, and a special 12" version of that Four Songs by Arthur Russell tribute, featuring Jens Lekman and more.

The Record Store Day faithful can also enter to win a copy of Tompkins Square Records' People Take Warning! box set, autographed by Tom Waits!

And then there are a few events that bear mentioning right up front: You already know about Menomena's foosball challenge at Jackpot Records in Portland and Björk's "Wanderlust" 3-D video screenings at spots all over. Topping even those, perhaps, is Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, who will "paint in her underwear" at one of Cambridge, Massachusetts' Newbury Comics locations, according to a Record Store Day press release. Oh lordy!

Next up, heaps of live performances:

* Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and Brett Netson at the Record Exchange in Boise, Idaho.
* Jason Molina, Lykke Li, Billy Bragg at Rough Trade East in London.
* The Kills at Piccadilly Records in Manchester, England.
* The Black Angels, the Baptist Generals, Robert Gomez, and John Congleton of the Paper Chase at Good Records in Dallas.
* Regina Spektor (performance and signing) at Sound Fix in Brooklyn.
* Nada Surf at Vintage Vinyl in Fords, New Jersey.
* Home Blitz, Brian Ashby of the Teeth, and members of the Spinto Band at a.k.a. music in Philadelphia.
* Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Duke Spirit at CD Central in Lexington, Kentucky.
* Aquaduct and recent Hardly Art signings the Dutchess & the Duke and the Moondoggies at Sonic Boom locations in Seattle.
* Rogue Wave (acoustic performance) at Reckless Records' Milwaukee Ave. location in Chicago.
* The Cave Singers at CD World in Eugene, Oregon.
* Neva Dinova at Homer's Old Market location in Omaha.
* Sybris at Record Breakers in Chicago.
* Rob Swift, Marco Polo at Fat Beats in New York.
* Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter at Easy Street Records in Seattle.
* Collections of Colonies of Bees at Atomic Records in Milwaukee.
* Kate Nash at Main Street Music in Philadelphia.
* Grand Ole Party at Permanent Records in Chicago.
* Janelle Monae, the Coathangers, and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra at Criminal Records in Atlanta.

And then we have some DJ sets:

* Sam Fogarino of Interpol/Magnetic Morning, and members of Grizzly Bear, Deerhunter, the Black Keys, Tapes 'n Tapes, and Dead Meadow at Other Music in New York City.
* The New Pornographers' John Collins at Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis.
* Times New Viking's Adam Elliot at Used Kids Records in Columbus, Ohio.
* Daniel Ash and David J of Bauhaus/Love and Rockets, Peanut Butter Wolf, and the Donnas at Amoeba Music locations in California.
* Rob Crow (Pinback, Goblin Cock, etc.) at Lou's Records in Encinitas, California.
* Flying Lotus, Warp Records DJs at Rough Trade East in London.
* Long Winters' John Roderick at Sonic Boom's Capitol Hill location in Seattle.
* In addition to challenging Jackpot Records patrons to foosball, Menomena will also DJ at the Portland retailer's downtown location.

And finally, a few signings and miscellany:

* Will Oldham, Silver Jews' David Berman, Lambchop's Kurt Wagner, James Jackson Toth (f.k.a. Wooden Wand), and more will do meet-and-greets at Grimey's in Nashville.
* Lupe Fiasco and Metallica will sign stuff at Rasputin Music locations in the Bay Area.
* Jello Biafra will recommend records to customers at Amoeba Music's San Francisco location.
* Jon Langford of the Mekons will be a "special employee" at Laurie's Planet of Sound in Chicago.
* Zaireeka listening party (bring a stereo!) at Permanent Records in Chicago.

Find more events on the Record Store Day website, and check out the complete (and very, very long) list of participating stores here.

Ma and pa record dealers, here's to you!