Record Store Day is here again

April 18th marks the 18th year of the “Licorice Pizza” Holiday

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This Saturday is my favorite holiday, but this year I will not be participating for the first time in 12 years.  It’s Record Store Day once again, but I have a prior engagement emceeing a walk to raise money for Alzheimer’s victims and their families.  So yes, I do believe that there are more important things than getting my fingers on the newest wax.  Not much, but this event to Make Alzheimer’s A Memory is very high on my list.  If you don’t know about RSD, then you probably do not collect records.  In its simplest format, the day is dedicated to promoting independently owned record stores who will be carrying limited releases, new drops, and unique products in music that will never be put out again. RSD occurs twice a year with the days happening in April and again on Black Friday (so hopefully I’ll be at that one).  Last year’s vinyl sales broke 1 billion dollars in sales, and the “trend” continues to climb as sales are 10% higher this year than the last, according to several sources. The most recently named RSD Ambassador, Bruno Mars, will open his vault for Collaborations, which is the artists his third Record Store Day release. The album gathers some of his most iconic pairings, including “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson, “Die With A Smile” with Lady Gaga, and “APT” with ROSÉ. (11,000 copies available in the US run). 

“Independent record stores are so important because you get the chance to immerse and surround yourself. I love collecting vinyl because nothing is better than sitting on your couch putting on a record and just listening to music like that. Not just staring at your phone and downloading something or listening to something on your phone, but to actually see all of this beautiful art around you. It inspires me.” – Bruno Mars, Record Store Day 2026 Ambassador 

The key to navigating it all starts with The List. Somewhere around 365 exclusive and limited-edition releases will line the shelves and fill the crates of your local record store.  However, only some stores participant and of those only a few copies get delivered to each, so check the social media of your favorite spots, see what they have and camp out early (maybe the night before).  So much cool stuff is popping off this go round, per usual.  You can find records being released by not only new artists with new tracks, but also bands of the past that have that live album from a gig they played in 1965, and it never got put out until now. Here are 10 things I’d be going after if it were me. 

Pink Floyd, “Live From the Los Angeles Sports Arena, April 26th, 1975” 
On LP: 15,400 in U.S.; 30,000 worldwide; on CD: 7,100 in U.S.; 20,000 globally 

This live album initially came out back in December as part of the “ Wish You Were Here” 50th anniversary boxed set, but was only included as part of a Blu-ray component. Fans have eagerly awaited to have it on either vinyl and/or CD, and now they are getting both those wishes with this highly anticipated stand-alone release. The concert was originally recorded by a famous bootlegger named Mike Millard, who was in attendance, and got an audio upgrade from record producer and audio engineer Steven Wilson. 

Bruce Springsteen, “Live from Asbury Park 2024”  LP edition: 6,050 copies in the U.S.; 12,000 globally; CD edition: 3,700 in the U.S.; 10,000 globally 

Another live album being dropped in the RSD catalogue for 2026.  This one captures Springsteen’s return to his hometown in New Jersey that hosted a three-hour juggernaut of a show at the Sea.Here.Now Festival. This is the first-ever physical release of the performance, Live From Asbury Park 2024 is a 5xLP, 3xCD set featuring Springsteen and The E Street Band ripping through some classics like “Thunder Road” and “Dancing in the Dark,” plus early gems songs that were created  just up the street, including “Blinded By the Light” and “Growin’ Up.” A definitive need for the collector and fans of The Boss. 

Brandi Carlile, “Live at Easy Street Records Vol. II”  Just 8,000 copies in the U.S. 

I want this record ever so badly and may just pay someone to stand in line for me to get a copy.  As a recent transplant in Nashville from Seattle, WA we claim Brandi as our own (although she never lived in Seattle exactly). Carlile brought the Hanseroth Twins and SistaStrings with her to a record release party at West Seattle’s preeminent retail shop to celebrate her 2025 “Returning to Myself” album. That set is captured on this LP, a sequel to her first live album, also recorded at Easy Street Records, from 20 years ago. This LP marks the first release of the performance from a few months ago in any format. If you’re headed out on April 18^th, and you don’t want it (you can only buy one copy of items), I will pay the monies. 

Weezer, “1192”              Only 3,000 copies in the U.S., 4,000 globally 

It is gonna be real hard to find this one anywhere as distribution is super limited. These recordings are said to be Weezer’s very first studio sessions, somehow forgotten and recently rediscovered by Weezer bassist Matt Sharp when he was sifting through “lost album” master tapes.  The recordings are riddled with what he calls “raw, vividly emotional and ecstatic versions” by the original lineup of songs that went on to be on the group’s “Blue” debut album. The album is cleverly named after the month and year it was originally recorded. With the help of Sharp as producer and Joe Chicarrelli on mixing, the album was remixed from tape to vinyl in a fully analogue process. My birthday is coming up at one point. This would be a great gift. 

John Prine, “BBC Sessions”                          7,100 copies in the U.S.; 9,500 copies globally 

This drop cuts deep for both me and my family as we have great love for John Prine.  I was supposed to see him perform in Seattle many years ago, but he fell ill and eventually passed in 2020.  This is the first official release of his BBC sessions from the early ‘70s and includes favorites from the legendary artist’s first two albums. It’s one of two Prine releases this year, so your chances double on grabbing something special from this amazing singer/songwriter.  So that leads to… 

John Prine, “Found Dogs”             2,000 copies in the U.S.; 3,000 globally 

With not that many copies being pressed, I hope a lot of them land in the Nashville area as it is home to his label and recording studio, Oh Boy Records. This one is a newly curated archival release celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings,” with alternate versions, acoustic performances, and five previously unreleased tracks that I am stoked to hear. The added coolness of this release is that the  jacket is foil-stamped and numbered. A few of the tracks have been previously issued on CD deluxe editions, but the last four tracks on the b-side have been unreleased in any format.  

Talking Heads, “The CBS/Columbia Demos”                 7,000 copies in the U.S. 

Talking Heads seem to have something available every RSD and I am here for it (and I have bought most of them). This is the first vinyl release of demo sessions recorded by the original three-piece lineup of Talking Heads for CBS/Columbia in 1974, with 15 tracks across two LPs at 45rpm. The track list includes “Psycho Killer,” ” Love –> Building On Fire” and “Warning Sign.” It’s a vinyl breakout from the upcoming 3-CD boxed set, “Tentative Decisions: Demos & Live.” It is accompanied by a 7” record as well.  The demo was recorded by David Byrne and Chris Frantz during their time at the Rhode Island School of Design. Again, this is more recordings that were lost and just recently found.  It’s wild that happens. 

Paramore, “All We Know is Falling (Deluxe)”     7,000 copies in the U.S., 11,170 globally 

More Nashville royalty here, although technically from Franklin, TN, the rock band led by Hayley Williams has a gem for us.  Williams is a master at putting out special releases of her own as a solo artist even on non-holidays.  This is a deluxe edition of the debut album from Paramore, with the original album joined by as a bonus LP featuring the first-ever vinyl release of the rare “The Summer Tic EP” originally released in 2006. Oh yeah, it’s all featured on “red smoke” vinyl which I image looks fucking rad. 

Joni Mitchell, “For the Roses”    3,500 copies in the U.S.; 6,350 globally 

This production gets its proper look 54 years later. You see, for her 1972 album, MItchell originally intended the album cover to feature a horse with roses coming out of its ass, reflecting her view of the music business. Unfortunately the idea was squashed and she compromised and then agreed to use the Joel Bernstein photo that was ultimately the album cover.However, this limited edition for Record Store Day restores her original vision for the cover for the first time on rose color vinyl. Please give this record a listen when you can as it is absolute poetry. 

The Cure, “Acoustic Hits”  7,300 copies in the U.S. 

I am a massive fan of The Cure, but I only got to see them once back in 1992.  I am so happy that the last few years have seen them making some incredible new music and touring again.  “Acoustic Hits” is the companion to their 2001 “Greatest Hits” collection. It was recorded at Olympic Studios, London in August 2001. The collection, newly remastered by Robert Smithhimself, features acoustic reimaginations of all 18 songs on Greatest Hits, including “Boys Don’t Cry”, “A Forest”, “Just Like Heaven” and “Friday I’m In Love”. It is available on 2LP silver bio vinyl which sounds apropos. 

These are just a small sample of all the great music that is coming out on Saturday.  I encourage you to always shop small and visit those record stores regularly. Happy hunting my friends and be sure to think of me if you buy anything extra. Cheers!