Mark your calendars, folks: Saturday, April 13th is this year’s Record Store Day.

First conceived in 2007, Record Store Day is an annual event during which record stores all over the world sell exclusive vinyl records, CDs, and other music-related promotional products. It’s a time for record-lovers, store owners, and musicians alike to share their love for the “unique culture of a record store and the special role these independently owned stores play in their communities.” Working with both independent and major music labels, the Record Store Day organization helps to release limited edition albums across the globe, some of which will only ever be available for sale on Record Store Day.

Famous artists – including Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Jack White, Dave Grohl, and Joshua Homme – have even made appearances at record stores to give performances, meet fans, sign autographs, and even to buy records themselves. These musician appearances encourage people to get into the spirit of Record Store Day further, and to celebrate both the music-makers and the music-sellers.

In 2010, the Record Store Day organization held its first Black Friday event, which gave record stores exclusive music to sell, in order to try and “redirect the focus of the biggest sopping day of the year to the desirable, special things to be found at local stores.” While Record Store Day is certainly a fun celebration of vinyl records, the motive behind it is much more sincere: it is a reminder to support local, independent businesses. With digital music so endlessly popular now, it can be difficult for businesses like record stores to stay afloat – now more than ever, with Canadian vinyl supplier RPM closing down. Record Store Day encourages people to go to record stores for exclusive music releases, with the hopes that people will discover the wonders of local record stores in the process.

So, what are some local Toronto record stores that you can help support on Record Store Day? The good news is that there are several within walking distance of campus. I’ve listed some of my favourite, nearby record stores below:

Sonic Boom: 215 Spadina Avenue
Sonic Boom has one of the largest record collections I’ve ever seen. Upstairs houses their newest releases and employee favorites, along with a sizable collection of books, record players, neon lights, and other little novelties. Downstairs is a massive vinyl and CD shop, with almost every genre and artist imaginable. Can’t find what you’re looking for? They’ll order your records in for you!

Kops Records: 229 Queen Street West
A chain of record stores (which has recently gotten smaller, following the closure of their Bloor Street location), Kops Records is a classic Toronto record store that has been around since the 1970s. This location houses North America’s largest collection of rare and Northern Soul 45s, and is located right next to Osgoode Station on the subway line, if you don’t feel like walking!

Play De Record: 411 Spadina Avenue
Having just relocated after twenty-six years from it Yonge Street, Play De Record was initially oriented toward DJs. Still the go-to place for DJs who prefer the old-school stuff over digital music-making, this record shop is small, but mighty. The staff are very knowledgeable, and if you’ve ever considered entering the world of DJ-ing, this is the place to start!

Dead Dog Records: 1209 Bloor Street West
Run by former employees of Sunrise Records, Dead Dog Records is similar to what you might remember HMV looking like. With a solid vinyl collection, this record store also sells music t-shirts and other accessories, if you’re looking for something beyond records. The team at Dead Dog is small, dedicated, and always good for new music recommendations!

There are, of course, just a few of the local record stores in the city. Others include Shortstack Records, June Records, Neurotica Records, Pandemonium Books & Music, RotateThis, and Tiny Record Shop. All of these stores, as well as those I have listed above, will be participating in Record Store Day 2019.

Now, here’s the exciting part: the list of exclusive titles being released for this year’s Record Store Day. While the full list would be too long to publish here, I’ve chosen a few samples of which records will be released on April 13th. For the full list of what’s coming to a record store near you, head to recordstoreday.com

• Billy Joel – Live at Carnegie Hall 1977 (2 x LP)
• The Doors – London Fog (10” Vinyl)
• Fleetwood Mac – The Alternative Fleetwood Mac (LP)
• Jack White – Love Interruption (3” Vinyl)
• Janis Joplin – Woodstock, Sunday August 17, 1969 (2 x LP)
• Michael Giacchino – Star Trek (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (LP)
• Mumford & Sons – Delta Acoustic Sessions, Live from Electric Lady (10” Picture Disc)
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade is Dead (2 x LP)
• Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Wait & Return (12” Colored Vinyl)
• Pink Floyd – A Saucerful of Secrets (Mono) (LP)
• Prince – His Majesty’s Pop Life/The Purple Mix Club (2 x LP)
• Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody/I’m in Love with My Car (7” Vinyl)
• The Rolling Stones – Through The Past Darkly (LP)
• Various Artists – Spiderman: Into the SpiderVerse (LP)
• The White Stripes – Candy Cane Child (3” Vinyl)