My Record Store Day: Lord Huron Listening Party at Folklore, Napa
My Record Store Day: Lord Huron Listening Party at Folklore, Napa
If you're a music lover like me, who hangs out in record stores and loves hearing a new album, I've found the perfect match for you. Last week, I attended an early listening party for Lord Huron’s upcoming album, The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1, at the record store Folklore Napa. This event was part of Record Store Day: an event series that helps independent record stores bring music lovers together through exclusive releases, special events, and early listening parties like this one.
What Is Record Store Day?
Record Store Day does a lot more than just listening parties. It began in 2007 as an idea among independent record store owners and employees to help celebrate the culture of independent music retail stores. The goal was to highlight the key role that these stores play in supporting artists, curating communities, and keeping physical music sales alive in an increasingly digital world.
The first official Record Store Day was on April 19, 2008, and the main celebration now takes place each year in April, with this year falling on April 12th. But what’s important to note is that Record Store Day isn’t just a one-day event.
It’s a global movement.
While event days bring a lot of buzz with exclusive releases and major in-store events, Record Store Day and its partners continue to support independent record stores throughout the year. Events like the Lord Huron listening party I attended are part of this ongoing commitment and support across thousands of independent record stores, nationally and internationally, that aim to uplift artists, engage fans, and celebrate music as a community throughout the entire year.
The Significance of Independent Labels and Stores
Record Store Day isn’t just about hyping up sales or pushing exclusives either, it’s about preserving an authentic and artistically rich music culture. Independent record shops have long been the heart of local music communities, offering spaces for both music discovery and connection. As covered by WAMU in their feature piece on D.C. area record stores, most of these stores turn Record Store Day into a full day of celebration, welcoming fans with listening stations, live DJ’s, and vintage vinyl and CD collections.
Both major and independent labels also leverage Record Store Day to strengthen their relationships with fans and small retailers. Many indie labels go out of their way to support stores by offering limited-edition pressings, bonus tracks, or exclusive vinyl runs that drive music lovers, like me, through the doors.
And it’s working.
The recent surge in vinyl sales isn’t just a fleeting trend either, it is playing a crucial role in helping stores and artists stay afloat in a rapidly digitizing industry. According to AP News, in 2023, vinyl sales in the U.S. hit their 17th consecutive year of growth, reaching $1.4 billion and making up 71% of all physical music sales. A reporter at The Times also found that Independent shops are thriving around the world, too—just last year, the UK reported 461 indie record stores, up from 339 in 2014.
Additionally, vinyl sales also don’t just help independent record stores, they often deliver substantially more revenue and deeper engagement for artists than streaming can. Music Business Worldwide found that vinyl buyers tend to be superfans, which means they spend on average 80% more on music than the typical listener, and are twice as likely to purchase physical forms of music. Physical music sales are almost always more lucrative for artists than digital streams, and for emerging artists, these kinds of dedicated fans are crucial to building long-term success.
Folklore Night + Thoughts on Album
Clearly, Record Store Day is making a tangible impact on the music scene, both in terms of sales and cultural relevance. But beyond just sales, what really matters is the experience that these types of events create for fans. The Folklore Record Store created a perfect environment for Lord Huron’s listening party. Folklore had everything you would want in an independent shop! They had great food, excellent cocktails, a raffle for signed cover art, and custom Lord Huron tote bags and patches. Also, the crowd was a great mix of casual listeners to longtime fans, all of whom were excited to get a sneak peek at Lord Huron’s newest music. While I will say it probably wasn’t the most ideal setup to catch every sonic detail, I still walked away with a strong sense of the album’s direction, and it got me excited for the formal release next week.
Final Notes
The Lord Huron listening party at Folklore reminded me of the importance of spaces where music brings people together. This party wasn’t just about hearing a new album, but it was about creating community, supporting local businesses, and feeling connected to the music world. Record Store Day makes that possible, not just once a year, but all year long.
Remix Growth partners with, acquires, and grows companies that help indie artists sustain their careers through innovative business models. If you know of a business that shares these values, reach out, we would love to chat!. And of course, if you haven’t had the chance to go to your local record store lately, let this be your sign to go!
