Yesterday, the worldwide Record Store Day took place again. This year with American rock legend Dave Grohl as the official ambassador. The annual event makes every record collectors’ heart beat faster.
It’s worth noting that there are many exclusive releases available. The 2015 list is remarkably extensive, but some of the highly acclaimed records are reissues of previously released material. This has led to some debate among critics. Additionally, there has been criticism regarding the influence of Record Store Day (RSD) on manufacturers’ production schedules.
Luke Younger (Alter Record Label), stated in a post from Josh Hall for Fact Magazin that
“it means that small labels realistically have one window in the year where they can get a record out without experiencing any delays. I can’t schedule anything anymore, it’s pointless, and when you have to sync digital release dates in advance as well to make sure everything comes out at the same time it’s extremely problematic. It almost forces you to stop running a record label in the traditional sense.”
Tom Lawes is the owner of YAM Records in London, and he has expressed his willingness to support small independent music labels. He recognizes that these labels have played a crucial role in keeping the music format alive, and that they have been instrumental in making Record Store Day a success from the very beginning.
Besides, he said that major labels are very welcome to support vinyl records. But, instead of doing this by pressing a lot of them, they would be better off investing in building new pressing plants. In order to ensure the satisfaction of market demands.
Indie Labels helped the vinyl record to survive
UK’s vinyl distributor Kudos complained in a post for the Fact Mag about large quantities of Oasis LP re-issues, ABBA 7inch and REM Box sets, pressed for Record Store Day. This effectively takes away capacity from the already pressurized vinyl press plants. Another factor within the Record Store Day/press plant issue is the minimum pressing requirements of the Entertainment Retailer Association. In case a label wants to contribute to RSD it must provide a minimum of 500 records per release.
It could be argued that the surge in demand is a positive factor for vinyl records since it leads to an increase in their production before the event. However, since the introduction of CDs, only a few pressing plants have survived. If a plant has reached its capacity, there are limited options available for choosing from different pressing plants. The major labels have a significant market power which allows them to place larger orders at press plants as compared to small indie labels.
There aren’t many pressing plants left to produce for Record Store Day
Wait, you’ll probably think, isn’t RSD all about promoting record stores? Yes, that is very true. But it isn’t called the music “industry” for no reasons. Without labels mastering and producing music, no pressing plant has something to press. And without press plants factoring vinyl records no record store has something to sell. It’s that easy, and it’s not.
With major labels jumping on the bandwagon of the vinyl resurgence, a very fine and neatly balanced system of indie labels and indie record shops is at risk to be thrown out of joint.
Before falling head over heels into this old story of major vs. indie label, there are also good things and ideas to write about.
It’s more than Indie vs. Major Label with the Record Store Day
“Record Store Day (RSD) is not only a chance to promote record shops, but also an opportunity to embrace the essence of them. Many people visit record stores to meet new people, discover new music, and think outside of the box.”
Canadian duo “Tegan and Sara” has just incorporated this in their RSD 2015 appearance. In September 2013 they have recorded a live performance at Zia Record Exchange and made a limited Record Store Day Exclusive Purple Vinyl (12 inch, 45 rpm) in order to catch that moment. Song list: I Was A Fool, Back In Your Head, Goodbye Goodbye, Call It Off. The duo also designed a special tote bag for vinyl shoppers at Record Store Day.
Vinyl distributor Kudos also makes a good point in bringing up the idea of a maximum pressing requirement for Record Store Day instead of a minimum requirement. With doing so, more equality of opportunity would be ensured. Also, the pressure would be lifted a bit of the press plants.
But even without Record Store Day, the demand for vinyl records is hugely growing. If nobody is going to invest in new press plants, the hype could be over before it even really started.
Record Store Day is growing
After the disastrous handling of MP3’s invention and in this consequence, digital downloads, the music industry is again at risk of losing the game. But if you lose something like the vinyl record, what else would be left?
Isn’t the vinyl record the very last field where purchase decisions are mainly made over being a fan, for the music and the medium? In a world hugely affected by digitalization and its rapid consumption of artistic material and music, a loss like that could leave the music industry without its very base. The people, the fans, and even a medium to sell.
Stay in touch and keep reading about the music industry!