Record Store Day 2022 Guide

Record Store Day (RSD) can seem overwhelming. What is it? What’s special about the releases? Where can I go to participate in RSD? What is the point? Behold! The guide to it all. RSD is this Saturday, April 23rd. We’ve got you covered on RSD guidelines, what to expect on the day, and some central Indiana stores that are participating this year. Whether you are a seasoned RSD veteran or a newbie just getting into vinyl, this guide will help make sense of it all.

RSD was created in the early 2000s as a way for artists, employees/owners of independent record stores, and music-lovers to come together and celebrate the beauty of buying music locally and in tangible form. The first RSD was on April 19, 2008. RSD is not always on the same day; last year the event was separated into three different days, and was done a bit differently due to you know what. Regardless, RSD always happens every year to celebrate local stores. Celebrations typically involve prizes, goodies, giveaways, new merch, live music, and food and drinks. Some states have even made it an official holiday!

RSD drops are exclusive releases of new and old music that are pressed specifically for indie record stores. They aren’t made for places like, say, Target. There are a few rules surrounding RSD. These drops cannot be pre-ordered, held for customers, or ordered anywhere online. They are first come, first serve. Once they are out of stock, they are out of stock. There are three different categories for the RSD list: Exclusives, RSD First, and Small Run/Regional Titles. Not all record stores participate in RSD, some only select a few releases to sell, and some stock all of them. It is entirely up to the store what they choose to have in stock for the day. 

Check out the official List to see the albums available on RSD. If you are planning on purchasing an album, double check the release date before you stand in line for hours. There is a second release date scheduled for June 18 for RSD releases that didn’t make it out of production and into crates by April 23. 

Sound like a fun way to spend your Saturday and your money? Check out the guide below to plan your day.

Northside

Indy CD & Vinyl 

Head over to Indy CD & Vinyl on Broad Ripple Avenue early to get in line for 2022 RSD drops. Their doors open at 8:00 a.m., but the line will be filling up fast! Indy CD & Vinyl will have every RSD drop available, and a large quantity of copies for each release. Head back over to the shop the next day, Sunday April 24, for their 20th Anniversary celebration featuring live music, local food, and a beer garden. Their Anniversary festival lineup features Odonis Odonis, Deserta, Lily & Madeleine, Choke Chain, Clint Breeze and The Groove, Jennie DeVoe, Sweet Poison Victim, Kiddo, and Dorin. All ages are welcome and the event is free. Pick up a copy of The Spinner, or head to their website for more information on the weekend.

LUNA Music

At Luna Music on College Avenue, it’s a party on the front patio. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. to get your RSD picks! Starting at 11:00 a.m., DJ’s Rusty Redenbacher and Mr. Kinetik will be playing for the sidewalk sale. Black Circle Brewing will be serving up the beverages and Circle City Ice Cream will be scooping for you. Once inside, there are some other releases unique to Luna. They’ll have autographed LP’s from Beach House, Low, Khruangbin, and Richard Edwards, a lathe-cut new release from 81355, an exclusive print drop from Nat Russell, and new Luna merch.

Eastside

Irvington Vinyl and Books

While Irvington Vinyl and Books is not selling any RSD drops, they are still celebrating! After getting your favorite RSD releases at another indie store, stop in to this Irvington gem just off Washington Street and party with live music, a thrift pop-up, and all the deals. DJs Duck Trash, Modest, and Shaw Shank will be serving up the groove from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lifted Thrift will be at the shop from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Record deals include 20 percent off all used vinyl, 10 percent off new vinyl, and over thirty crates of two dollar vinyl.

Southside

Square Cat Vinyl 

This year Square Cat is giving away, ya’ll! The first 200 people to buy a record on RSD will be entered into a drawing. First place gets a $500 gift card to the record store and four weekend passes to the Back Alley Balleyhoo festival in August. The second place winner will receive four weekend passes to the festival. Other giveaways are promo bags to the first fifty people in line, free coffee to the first twenty-five people in line, and free Long’s donuts as long as supplies last. Get there early! Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Live music will feature Mark Tester, Mark Dippel, Rob Funkhouser, and Airport People.

Vinyl Rescue Project

Want to sleep in a bit? Head over to Vinyl Rescue Project in Greenwood on State Road 135. The store opens at 10:00 a.m. and will be open all day ’til 10:00 p.m. Almost all of the RSD drops will be available here and it is a great store to check out on the southside. At VRP the line works like this: two different record purchases can be made at a time and if you want more, get back in line. Once the line has subsided the floor is open for whatever is left. Come with a wishlist in mind! Locals love the pricing, friendliness, and quality of this store.

Electric Key Records

Downtown Franklin is a beautiful small town to spend a day in. Start your day off in the quaint city wit some new wax! Electric Key Records is located on Jefferson Street in the heart of Franklin. They are open for RSD 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Electric Key has a similar system to Vinyl Rescue Project; two at a time, then as the line gets shorter the rules become more relaxed.

Westside

Karma Records

Karma Records has three different locations around the city, and all of them have RSD drops and giveaways galore. Stop in to any Karma Records location on Saturday and enter to win concert tickets. Dead and Company, H.E.R., and Kenny Chesney are a few concerts you can enter to win tickets to. All three locations open at 8:00 a.m. Check their Facebook for more information on all the free goodies and giveaways the day holds.

Bloomington

Landlocked Music

Head over to Landlocked Music on Walnut Street for some new vinyl, then spend the day in Bloomington for the Men’s Little 500 Race. Landlocked will be opening their doors at 8:00 a.m. for RSD. Have your RSD choices ready, as they will serve one customer at a time in order of the line.

Tracks

Doors open at 8:00 a.m. as well at Tracks Music on Kirkwood. They try their best to get everyone participating in RSD taken care of before the Little 500 crowd starts rolling in. Tracks also sells apparel, so get your records and get your gear for the race!

Muncie

Village Green Records

Whether you live in Muncie or not, this is a must. Sadly, this will be Village Green‘s last RSD in Muncie. The shop is moving to Alabama; the last day open in Muncie will be May 21. The shop opens at 9:00 a.m. and will serve six people at a time. In addition to hundreds of RSD drops, new vinyl will be 25 percent off, and used 10 percent off. One last time for Village Green; go show your support for the next chapter of this Ball State staple.

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