Record Store Day announces ambassadors, record 170 stores join
Image: Robert Forster
The Australian Music Retailers Association (AMRA) has announced the first of its Record Store Day ambassadors for 2017. It also revealed that a record 170+ indie record stores from around the country have signed up.
It is set for Saturday April 22, with 30 other countries also celebrating on the day.
The first three ambassadors are singer-songwriter and Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster, Choirboys singer and radio presenter Mark Gable, and Sydney-based Instagrammer Steve Kouta.
Kouta, a one-time part of Universal Music Australia’s sales team, found globalfame when he started posting pictures of album sleeves from his 4000-strong record collection. Two years later he has 50,000 followers.
More ambassadors will be announced in a few days.
Celebrating its 10th year in 2017, Record Store Day will accentuate the role that indie music stores play in music enjoyment and encourage fans to visit their favourite bricks-and-mortar retailers.
AMRA points out, “The indie record store is a community hub for music lovers: a place to find new music, reconnect with old and new music from old friends, get great advice and recommendations, hear musicians live, find out what’s happening in the local music scene, and generally hang out with people who love music as much as you do.”
Stores will have in-store live sets from bands and DJs, throw parties and BBQs, run competitions and raffles, offer discounts, pull out vinyl, CD and memorabilia treasures from their vaults, source exclusive releases from overseas, and offer limited-edition vinyl just for the day.
AMR gets some funding for the day from the major record companies and like-minded sponsors such as Pro-Ject, which is the official turntable partner.
A list of rumoured RSD exclusive releases leaked on Redditearlier this month.
For store updates, go to the RSD Australia website, Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.