Uptown Magazine - April 8/10
Record Store Day
For the third straight year, independent record stores, labels, artists and music fans are getting together on the third Saturday in April to celebrate Record Store Day (this year’s RSD takes place on April 17). Along with in-store performances, DJ sets, meet-and-greets and special sales, there will be a whole slew of exclusive-to-RSD pressings by artists such as The Beastie Boys (white label single), Joy Division (box set), Beach House (12-inch single), Bruce Springsteen (10-inch single), Pavement (best-of 12-inch, with songs selected by a fan), John Lennon (seven-inch box set). Hundreds of other limited-issue vinyl and CD releases will also be available. These exclusive releases are a big reason why RSD has been so successful. “I think it’s high time the mentors, big brothers, big sisters, parents, guardians, and neighbourhood ne’er-do-wells start taking younger people that look up to them to a real record store, and show them what an important part of life music really is,” The White Stripes’ Jack White has been quoted as saying about RSD. “I trust no one who hasn’t time for music. What a shame to leave a child, or worse, a generation orphaned from one of life’s great beauties.” If the past two years are any indication, get down to your favourite record store early because it’s going to be busy. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that only three Winnipeg stores are listed as participating; the rest are probably just too busy getting ready for the big day to officially sign up.
Quick Hits
MP3 of the Week: Noah Pred Live
DJ set by Toronto minimal techno guru Noah Pred, recorded live at Footwork. Pred will be part of the inaugural MEME Festival, June 17 to 20.
Video of the Week: The XX Live on KCRW
Recorded during a recent appearance on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic at this year’s South by Southwest Festival, The XX tackles a slightly stripped down version of Crystalize from its debut album. Other artists who have performed at the station include Grizzly Bear, Air, Beck with The Flaming Lips and Vampire Weekend. All the performances are available on YouTube.
Sausage Party
Sausage Party is a new online tool that analyzes the events on your Facebook page and gives you a rating between 1 and 5 sausages on just how male-heavy the event is going to be. Useful for single guys looking for events at which they won’t have much competition or single girls looking to increase their odds of hooking up.
