Monday Music Marginalia: Episode 7.

We pause our exploration of Boston’s many music venues and upcoming shows to talk retro music media. There is something about putting a record on that is nostalgic for me and new for my children. They didn’t grow up with records playing, but I did. They did grow up with vinyl, and now cassettes and cds coming back in vogue. There are various reasons why: nostalgia, sound, experience, unplugging from the digital for 18-22 minutes per side (vinyl), 30-45 minutes per side (cassette), or 74-80 minutes (cd).

I don’t have my father’s record collection and probably had we not been dealing with loss and all the layers of life sorting, compartmentalizing, and moving forward that it involves, we would have kept it. On the other hand, I actually love having new vinyl from artists making music today. It is how I support the artists I go see whether they are young artists releasing their first albums or familiar artists releasing new music. At a show, wenever it is available I will buy an album. Of course I also enjoy a peruse through some old favourites at the record stores and thrift stores. All this is to say that records are back and this Saturday April 18th is Record Store Day (RSD).

What is RSD?

Record Store Day came to be in 2007. A gathering of independent record store owners and employees created RSD as a way to honour and celebrate the unique culture created by nearly 1400 independently-owned record stores in the US and thousands of similar stores internationally and their communities. The first Record Store Day took place on April 19, 2008. The next Record Store Day takes place this Saturday, April 18th 2026.

Who is RSD For?

At a minimum, Record Store Day is for those who have a record player. Maybe you have an old one in the basement, or like me, an inexpensive one for now that people will be judgy about, but I don’t care. For now, I can play my records without a big investment so I’m okay with it. Now that you have a record player, you can. start collecting (as slowly as you like) records that you would like to listen to. Get to know your local independent record stores. Visit them often. It is cheaper than therapy if you are careful with your purchases and quite effective, although should not fully replace whatever mental health situation you have pulled together to sustain you through this weird and quite difficult world we live in. In addition to visiting your local shop, go see a few concerts, and pick up vinyl directly from the artists.

Boston, Somerville, Cambridge & Beyond

Since I am fairly new to it and I need to limit myself, I am only familiar with a few local shops so far: Wanna Hear It Records (Watertown), Vinyl Index (Somerville), Village Vinyl (Brookline), Looney Tunes (Allston), and Light of Day Records/Deep Cuts (Medford). Of course Boston has many more spots and you can find them online, search on maps, or stumble into one.

The best way to find out what each store has going on for Record Store Day is to check their website or social media. I won’t list everything here, because I have groceries to get and dinner to prep, but here are what the aforementioned stores have going on.

Wanna Hear It Records

I really like this record store. It is a manageable size. It is well organized, It is easy for me to get to and park nearby. Wanna Hear it Records will be open at 8 am. If you dig a little you can find some good deals here.

Vinyl Index

Vinyl Index is at Bow Market. It is also a nice size and well organized. I do spend a little more money at Vinyl index partially because of their selections, but also the price point may be a little higher for very fair reasons at Vinyl Index. I love the experience of shopping here not only the store itself but an outing to Bow Market is always a fun one you can make a day of it with shopping, dining, and just enjoying time out in the courtyard.

For Record Store Day, Vinyl Index will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Vinyl Index RSD party is an entire Bow Market bash with DJ sets all day, music inspired food, drinks and merch from the entire Bow Market shop community. There will be special ANTI Designs (local screenprinter and artist) special RSD prints that will be live printed on tees and totes as well. You may not pre-order or hold RSD titles so either line up early to get what you want, or go with the flow and see what there is when you get there.

This year, the Salem Funk Club crew joins the Soulelujah DJ crew for a musical volley between funk, soul, and disco vinyl party in the Bow Market courtyard from 12-6. To cap it off, the master of the mix, DJ Frank White, will be spinning an all-45 set starting at 6 PM. Frank has an unbelievable collection of 45s, and his set is not to be missed! The records will be spinning outside and inside as Vinyl Index showcases more local DJs & Beatmakers at Upstairs at Bow alongside DIY art projects courtesy of Tiny Turns Paperie. This is a day for music lovers with all sizes of ears from the tiniest toe tapper to the old souls.

Village Vinyl + Looney Tunes

Village Vinyl in Brookline does not have any info on RSD. So maybe if you want to skip out on the RSD hoopla pop over there to shop whenever you feel like celebrating records. Looney Tunes is an adventure into a cavernous space filled with music and movies. This is an experience that requires a little skill and dexterity.

Light of Day Records: Inside Deep Cuts

Light of Day Records will be open at noon on April 18th for RSD.

If you want to go deep and get organized here is a list of Record Store Day Releases. I think it is way more fun to just ride the wave and see what speaks to you in the moment, but you can also make a wish list and seek out a few of them while letting others go. This should be a fun time.