The vinyl revival continues _{by Sam Hollis}

For a subsection of music enthusiasts and collectors, Record Store Day (RSD) is like Christmas come early. The global celebration pays homage to independent record stores around the world with exclusive releases and instore performances, which Wellingtonians will find at Slow Boat Records, Rough Peel Music (RPM), Creeps Record Parlour, and Mint Music NZ.

This year, RSD will be spread across two dates: the 12^th of June and the 17^th of July.

In Wellington, RPM is planning to have DJs spinning, while a yet-unannounced special guest will perform down the road at Slow Boat (previous performers have included Sir Dave Dobbyn and Neil Finn). While Creeps Record Parlour won’t stock RSD releases, they will celebrate with discounts, baking, prizes, and DJs instore.

Among the hundreds of titles that will be released exclusively across the dates are albums that have been in the hard-to-find category for too long and some that will be put to wax for the first time. For example, there’s a reimagined version of Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s She’s the One soundtrack and the first-ever pressing of popular Prince deep cut The Truth.

For Slow Boat co-owner Jeremy Taylor, RSD brings a great sense of validation.

“I think record stores are resolutely the kinds of places you either go to or you don’t, and if you do then you probably place a lot of value on it. If you don’t, Record Store Day might not be a bad day to come along and see whether or not it’s something that interests you.”