‘Great opportunity to get together:’ Record Store Day success

Music lovers and vinyl collectors were up bright and early Saturday to line up for Record Store Day (RSD) in Regina.

RSD is an annual event to celebrate the unique culture record stores provide around the world. The day is filled with special, exclusive releases made just for RSD.

Kyle Leitch and his friends were the first group in line at X-Ray Records. They got there three hours before the store opened.

“I’m here to celebrate our local independent record stores and to hopefully find some interesting releases and enjoy the camaraderie of the line,” he said with a laugh.

This is his sixth RSD and he’s determined to come home with some good finds.

“There’s a Talking Heads live album that was recorded in 1977 (and) it’s being released for Record Store Day. Here’s hoping for a good pull,” Leitch said.

Last year, he wasn’t so successful.

“I didn’t find the vinyl I was looking for last year and I left very disappointed and had to do a walk of shame past the rest of the line who were very inquisitive as to why I didn’t have anything in my hands,” he said. “So I’m hoping not to repeat the same this year.”

Vinyl records began to soar during the pandemic. Leitch doesn’t see that slowing down anytime soon.

“For the first time in a very long time, last year vinyl was one of the markers that moved U.K. inflation,” he said. “People who understand financial markets better than I do would say, ‘Yes, vinyl has made a comeback.’ But I mean, you can even see it in the stores. Like when London Drugs and Walmart are now selling vinyl, obviously, something has happened.”

He believes Taylor Swift and other popular artists have created a new generation of vinyl collectors. 

“The time has never been better for recording artists and labels to release different variations of albums, different-coloured vinyl or different cuts,” Leitch said. “And hey if the public is willing to buy these records, then all the power to them.”

Sara Price is a big Taylor Swift fan. Although Swift doesn’t have an exclusive RSD drop, she was still sporting a Taylor Swift Fearless (Taylor’s Version) cardigan. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

Sara Price is a vinyl collector and Taylor Swift fan. She has her eye on a Sabrina Carpenter vinyl and a special item from Swift herself.

“With the new Taylor Swift album that came out there’s a Record Store Day exclusive note you can get with it so I’m kind of excited for that as well,” she said.

She agrees that Swift has had an impact on vinyl popularity.

“There’s definitely been a rise in a lot of artists making records after Taylor Swift started doing it, but I wouldn’t say she was the only influential person,” said Price. “I know a lot of people started doing that as well but I think she definitely had her hand in that.”

Price has a big collection at home and is trying to complete a very specific collection.

“I have lots,” she said. “It’s actually embarrassing. I do have a lot of Taylor Swift. I have some old ones but mostly newer stuff. I’ve got a lot of the One Direction ones, that’s the ones I’ve been trying to get recently. They’re kind of hard to get your hands on. They were only pressed at one store so they’re a little bit hard to get.

“And (I have) some other collectible things. I’m really into movie soundtracks so I’ve got a lot of those too.”

She got in line 40 minutes before the store opened and was shocked to see the long lineup.

“I called (X-Ray Records) yesterday and asked what they are getting in,” she said. “I’d rather line up here than at one of the commercial stores because it’s just better to support local.”

Even if she goes home empty-handed, Price said the experience will be worth it.

“I’ll still have fun, she said.

“Even if I don’t get what I want, they usually have something in there that I want anyways so I just make an excuse that it’s Record Store Day! I think it’s just a great opportunity to get together with other people that like the same thing you do. I think that’s really a cool thing that comes out of Record Store Day; you might not get the vinyl you want but you’ll definitely meet some great people.”

Ben Sakatch is a big Paramore fan, the band are Record Store Day ambassadors. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

For one customer, collecting records is extra special.

“This is my first RSD. I got into collecting vinyl to like connect with my dad who did it when he was a kid so it’s nice,” said Ben Sakatch.

Even though it’s his first RSD, he’s determined to leave with the vinyl on his list: Paramore This Is Why (Remix Album).

He’s impressed by the comeback vinyl has had in recent years.

“I’d say it’s made a comeback certainly,” he said. “You go to Chapters and you can even get vinyl there. It’s crazy. You see Taylor Swift even and she has like so many different variations of the same album. I think collecting has always been a thing and vinyl is just the new way to do it again.”

He is a big fan of X-Ray Records.

“I really like it at this store,” he said. “I like the friendly atmosphere. So I would certainly say it helps to support local.”