Record Store Day Canada Hit Its Groove This Year

By Ryan Kerr

The consensus across the board is that independent music shops experienced their most robust Record Store Day (RSD) yet here in Canada, according to event marketing and sales director Ryan Kerr.

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The eleventh annual worldwide party that celebrates the culture of the indie record store was held on Saturday, April 21, “which is when Canadian stores opened up their doors to celebrate with their customers, the musicians who make the music they sell, and the staff who sell it,” Kerr says.

Record Store Day Canada (the Organization) has grown up over the years, now working year-round to promote the cause of indie record stores. Record Store Day is also a founding partner of Making Vinyl, the world's first conference devoted to the vinyl format. 

This year, RSDC partnered with labels and artists on many levels, including "The Champions of Canada" - The Sheepdogs. Other Canadian artist releases and catalogue titles spun from The Road Hammers to Stompin' Tom Connors, The Trews, Platinum Blonde, Cauldron, and The Jerry Cans, as well as globally with Led Zeppelin, Arcade Fire, Notorious B.I.G., Whitesnake, John Fogerty, Duran Duran, and Eddie Murphy. 

Kerr reports the Canadian arm joined forces with Musicounts this year.

To mark the collaboration, Warner Music Canada created the “RSDC Champions of Canada”  - The Sheepdogs - commemorative pins and "generously agreed to donate them nationwide to benefit Musicounts exclusively through the indie stores" on the day of the event.

“Live Village,” the in-store element of RSDC, has become the heartbeat of RSD globally, Kerr continues. “These live in-store performances make for a memorable experience for shops and patrons alike, with live music coast to coast as customer’s shop.

“And to top off what is already an exciting holiday for record buyers, this year was made truly memorable by the mayor of Toronto. John Tory made a proclamation announcing that Record Store Day Canada will be officially celebrated in Toronto the third Saturday of every April, making this event even more special for all the stores and all the music fans, who, through thick and thin, support new music and back catalogue music with passion, ensuring it thrives in the community they represent.“

As many as 20 Toronto stores participated this year. The exact number of stores nationwide is not available, but one can view the extensive list of Canadian shops here.

Follow Record Store Day Canada on Twitter, on Facebook  and on Instagram to keep up with all the exciting news and events.

Download the Canadian Record Store Day charts from Nielsen below: