Bloomington store celebrates Record Store Day

Jeffrey Bricker
Enthusiasts unite at Reverberation Vinyl.  Left to right: John Anderson, Kyle Scaturro, and Michael Mayer. Photo by Jeffrey Brickner.

Enthusiasts unite at Reverberation Vinyl. Left to right: John Anderson, Kyle Scaturro, and Michael Mayer. Photo by Jeffrey Brickner.

Kyle Scaturro estimates he buys between 100 and 200 records a year, amounting to about a record every other day. He has been collecting and spinning records since he was sixteen. “It’s an addicting hobby and once I started doing it, I couldn’t stop.”

Like countless other vinyl enthusiasts, Record Store Day is a cherished tradition for Kyle. Starting back in 2007, this modern “holiday” was established to support independent record stores across the United States. Today, April 18, otherwise known as “Record Store Day,” has broad support from the music industry, with many labels and artists releasing limited edition vinyl pressings to music stores as part of the celebration.

It may surprise some there is still demand for records, especially among younger consumers, given the rise of digital media. But for avid fans on the vinyl media, the answer is obvious.

“People want an object that has a direct physical connection to the artist. No digital (format) can accomplish that,” explains John Anderson, owner of Reverberation Vinyl in Bloomington.

Kyle agrees. “I just love having a tangible thing to listen to … I don’t get satisfaction out streaming and listening to music off of a computer.”

As much as it is about preserving vinyl as a listening medium, Record Store Day may even be more important to preserving independent record stores as a marketplace institution. Again, giants from the music industry and the small store owners have a shared cause.

Grammy winning artist, Norah Jones is quoted on the Record Store Day website as stating, “It’s important to keep indie record stores alive because their unique environments introduce music lovers to things in a very personal way.”

The synergy between independent record store owners and recording artists is having an impact. Vinyl sales have grown from just over 1 million units in 2007 to over 9 million last year. This has led some to believe the vinyl revival is more than just a trend. It’s here to stay.

John certainly thinks so.

“The vinyl revival has been happening since the late 90s and is totally independent from record store day … to a degree that record store day isn’t really necessary anymore. We appreciate it, of course, but records are a lifestyle choice and a year round enterprise for the real enthusiast.”

More information about Record Store Day, local stores, and artists that support them can be found at www.recordstoreday.com