Record Store Day: What it has in store for you

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If you’ve packed your things for a weekend at Coachella (perhaps returning for round two), you can check out what the desert’s got going on for Record Store Day here.

But if you’ve decided to stick around in L.A., make sure to head on down to your favorite local spots to grab some exclusive vinyl and catch some solid sets in honor of Record Store Day. You’re the lucky ones, really. (Just imagine trying to beat out the massive Coachella crowd for that Mastadon/Feist or that Mastadon/Flaming Lips split 7-inch.) With more and more vinyl record stores popping up in the City of Angels, RSD 2012 is guaranteed to be a whirlwind for record collectors, and we’ve got a quick run-down of the exclusive events going on in L.A. on Saturday, April 21 below:

Amoeba (Hollywood) – The famous Amoeba Hollywood record store will open its doors at 10: A.M. and will offer limited edition RSD silk screening ($5 donation for the t-shirts goes to Silverlake Conservatory of Music) as well as a “Spin Our Prize” wheel. Macy Gray has canceled but there will still be DJ sets from Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning (1 P.M.) and ” ” ”  (Crosses) (3 P.M.).  Just a block over, Amoeba will also be hosting a RSD party at Space 15 Twenty with the David Lynch Foundation. Performing: Ben Lee, Getta Novotny and Phil Soussan. DJing: KCRW’s Gary Calamar and the Sound’s Mimi Chen.

Fingerprints (Long Beach) – Morning people will love that Fingerprints opens at 6 A.M. and closes late at 11 P.M. In addition to their famous in-store performances, the store will continue to offer special treats and surprises. Artists scheduled to perform include: Al Jardine of the Beach Boys (2 P.M.), M. Ward (5 P.M. and SOLD OUT) and World Party (7:30 P.M.). All performances require RSVP, so please call ahead of time to reserve your spot.

Origami Vinyl (Echo Park) – Conveniently located across from El Prado where they have Record Club Night, Origami Vinyl will opening for shoppers at 8 A.M. and will have staff on hand to keep you updated on what is still in stock. The first 300 people get an Origami Vinyl/Generic Surplus Record Store Day Tote Bag free with a purchase. The Echo patio will also outfitted with fancy turntables and receivers and headphones by Eskuche where you can go and listen to your new purchases. There will also be a vinyl valet, where you can safely check in your records so that you may enjoy the show and not have to carry them around. Most importantly: they have a handful of bands playing the venue starting at noon. Artists playing: Big Black Delta, the Henry Clay People, Electric Guest, Races, Zammuto, Electric Flower Group, Jenny O. and All Tiny Creatures. (All performances can be streamed online here.) DJs on the patio: Jason Kramer of KCRW, Alyssa Bailey and Cristina Ramirez of  KXLU, Chris Ziegler of LA Record, Shaun Koplow of Anticon, Matt & Patrick of Light in the Attic, Jason Mason of Dub Club/Punky Reggae and Angela Asistio of KXSC.

Vacation Vinyl Music (Silver Lake) – These guys will open one hour early. In additions to the store’s free patches, pins and posters, giveaways will also happen on behalf of product from labels Sub Pop, Kill Shaman and Hydra Head. DJing: DJ Massha of Finders Keepers and B-Music (2-4 P.M.) and DJs curated by Complicated Dance Steps (4-6 P.M.).

Rockaway Records (Silver Lake) – Rockaway Records will have a killer sale with vinyl, CDs, DVDs, posters, memorabilia, collectibles and much more up to 50% off. They’ll also have a free raffle going on. There are three prizes and one of them is a framed Bruce Springsteen photo signed by legendary rock photographer Henry Diltz.

Hi-Fidelity (Los Feliz) – This fairly new record shop, which shares the name with the Nick Hornby book-turned-film starring John Cusack, is open from 10 A.M. to midnight on this special day. Touting the highest technology when it comes to great sound and vinyl, they’ll also have a mishmash of DJs like Raaats and bands like the Peach Kings, Darkmatter and more playing to celebrate.

Permanent Records (Eagle Rock) – This record store, which also has another location in Chicago, will be celebrating with exclusive RSD releases and live performances as well. Bands playing at 6 P.M.: The Skabbs, Wounded Lion, and Merx.

Headline Records (Melrose District) – If you’re all about the sales (and still want to support a nice local record store), then go ahead and print their Headline Club Card to get 20% off all purchases on Saturday. The card is only valid on RSD. (Headline Records caters to punk, thrash and rockabilly/psychobilly fans.)

More vinyl record stores in L.A.:

Record Collector (Hollywood – caters to jazz fans with rarities and collectible classical music)
Poo-Bah Record Shop (Pasadena – caters to underground hip-hop and more experimental fans)
Wombleton Records (Highland Park – caters to fans of European LPs and singles and more)
Turntable Lab (Fairfax Village – caters to DJs who actually scratch with vinyl)
Freakbeat Records (Sherman Oaks – provides shoppers listening stations with turntables, disc players and headphones and a special 99 cent room)
Ooga Booga (Downtown LA – vinyl, art, books, misc.)
Backside Records (Burbank and Echo Park – mostly clothing but some vinyl and CDs)
Atomic Records (Burbank)
Bombass Muzik (East LA)
Angel City Books & Records (Santa Monica)

There are quite a few RSD exclusives we wouldn’t mind picking up on this list. By the way, if you want to get the most out of Record Store Day, here’s some great advice. Happy shopping.