India’s Answer To World Record Store Day–Four Events To Check Out Tomorrow

I’ll admit I feel left out. Easy accessibility to the vast world of music, spanning genres, countries and generations, has left a gramophone-shaped hole in my heart. I’ll admit I haven’t experienced the magic of vinyl, the precise moment when the needle lands on the plastic surface of a record to conjure up a listening experience unlike anything my teeny tiny bluetooth speakers can offer. I don’t understand the tangibility of music in the way vinyl-lovers do, or being mindful with my choice of album, as YouTube shuffles the same songs while I write/eat/workout/sleep. Often dismissed as an ‘outdated medium’, I find myself longing for a turntable, a collection of records to write home about and a beginner’s guide to vinyl-culture. If you’re hankering for an initiation into this rather special culture, like me, Record Store Day celebrations in your city might be a good place to start.

The beginning of Record Store Day can be traced back to 2007, at a gathering of independent record store owners and employees in the United States, as a way to revive this unique culture. Since the first Record Store Day was celebrated in April, a year later, stores in every continent except Antarctica have joined the movement. An ode to the people who make up these brick-and-mortar record stores–everyone from the staff, customers and artists–Record Store Day is a way to commemorate the special place these establishments have in our communities. And India isn’t far removed from this world–in fact, you’d be surprised at how many vinyl shops are alive and kicking in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. Record Store Day is about making them relevant once again, by giving their old-world charm a contemporary twist.

As luck would have it, my journey into the world of vinyl is imminent. Celebrated every year since 2008 on April 21 worldover, special pop-ups and events are on schedule this year in both Mumbai and Delhi.

If you’re a vinyl-enthusiast, here’s a breakdown. If you’re a newbie, here’s the beginning.

I. Record Store Day, 2018! At The Revolver Club

Spearheading the vinyl revival movement in India, The Revolver Club in Mumbai has an exclusive in-store experience planned for Record Store Day 2018. The only officially listed participating store from India, The Revolver Club has kept up with its impeccable reputation of championing this authentic music experience through real records, turntables, and stereos. This year, they are determined to further the cause of a music medium that has achieved cult status in itself. In an effort to recognize, spread the word, and encourage sales in brick and mortar stores, as opposed to online shopping, TRC will have over 3000 LPs on sale along with exclusive new Record Store Day releases, which will include AC/DC - Back In Black, Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison (Legacy Edition), Hot Tuna - Live At The New Orleans House, Bruce Springsteen - Greatest Hits and Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won.

They will also be hosting a vinyl DJ workshop by Spindoctor, performances by Siddharth Basrur, Harsh Narayan and Nisarg Dehukkar, The Fanculos, and Tajdar Junaid, as well as a really special giveaway. Vinylheads in Mumbai, take note. This has all the makings of an event you don’t want to miss.

Where: The Revolver Club, G3 Fairlands, L.J Roads, Mahim West

When: 11am - 10pm

Find out more here.

II. Wild City - ‘Selectors’

In an open-for-all-event at their office in New Delhi, Wild City, and their team of well-established music enthusiasts from across the country, are gearing up to host the 2nd edition of ‘Selectors’, a listening series that aims to celebrate and, in the process, cultivate, a culture around vinyl records in India. Wild City will be live streaming the entire event on boxout.fm, along with showcases from Ani Phoebe, Rikki Kher (Kardo) and Munbir Chawla (Wild City). In addition, they will turn the spotlight on Indian music that released on vinyl in the past year.

To keep you grooving all day, spectacular cold brew coffee cocktails courtesy Sleepy Owl, and refreshing Bira beers are on offer.

Where: Wild City, 86/B 2nd Floor, Shahpur Jat, New Delhi

When: 1 PM - 8 PM

Find out more here.

III. The Vinyl Pop-Up At The Quarter

To celebrate listening to music in its purest form, Mumbai’s The Quarter at the legendary Royal Opera House, is hosting a pop-up in collaboration with Sony Music. The Vinyl Pop-Up, in its first edition, is all about experiencing (and not just listening to) music. Starting at 2pm, they’ve put together an incredible line-up of workshops and performances, perfect for those who are just testing the waters, as well as seasoned vinyl-listeners. A special listening session with a curated set of iconic titles (from Pink Floyd to Frank Sinatra), focussed workshops and groovy performances by DJ Skip, Uri and Rhys, as well as the very special opportunity to start (or build) your vinyl collection–doors open at 2pm this Saturday.

Where: The Quarter, The Royal Opera House, Mumbai

When: 11 AM - 11 PM

Find out more here.

IV. Levi’s® x Boxout.fm [Record Store Day Broadcast]

India’s first community radio platform boxout.fm, started by Sahej Bakshi (Dualist Inquiy) and Mohammed Abood (DJ MoCity) is celebrating Record Store Day with Delhi-based independent record store, Pagal Records, and online music magazine Wild City. Together, they’re putting together a five-part, live broadcast featuring a wide cross-section of vinyl record collectors who run the gamut from passionate enthusiasts to established artists. The collectors will speak briefly and anecdotally about the records they are presenting to an in-person and live radio audience. This 12-hour-long stream will culminate in a special performance at Levi’s Lounge in Mumbai. Broadcasting live on boxout.fm airwaves, the set list includes performances by long-time vinyl collector and musician Vitek Goyel, Imaad Shah better known as Madboy, as well as variety of selections from Roycin D’Souza aka Makin’ Bacon’, genre-hopping DJ Zokhuma and Boxout Soundsystem.

An intimate evening of music, these artists will be going back to their personal crates to share their favourites, unearth hidden or forgotten gems, as well as share anecdotes about record-shopping and building a collection. A ‘how-to’ as much as a ‘why’, boxout.fm is documenting and presenting ‘stories of love on wax’ to revive the art of vinyl-listening.

Where: Levi’s Lounge, Mathuradas Mills Compound, Mumbai

When: 7 PM - 11 PM

Find out more here.