No Music No Life

Good old spinning vinyl: fashionable again?

It happened many years ago but I vividly remember that image (though not the city- was it Dublin perhaps?) of an old street musician playing the accordion with that cardboard sign in front of him bearing the'No Music No Life' message.I remember it because it struck me as short yet very powerful statement.As a music lover,I found it irresistible and it has been in my mind ever since,especially whenever I'm reminded of how much music can improve people's lives, making them so much bearable and enjoyable.I mention all this because this Saturday 21 April is Record Store Day;if you haven't heard of this event,which was created in 2007,you should know that it first started in the USA when over 700 record shops got together with the aim of celebrating their uniqueness at a time when independent shops were fast disappearing.Then other countries joined in and now every year is getting bigger and hundreds, if not thousands, of events will take place on Saturday. 

At a time when record sales are dwindling and consequently forcing shops to shut down (how many independent shops are there in your neighbourhood?),this day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate passionate and dedicated people who,against the odds,  manage to keep open their shops and offer the invaluable experience of browsing CDs and vinyls,asking questions to their knowledgeable staff and discovering exciting new bands in the digital era.

I firmly believe that digital natives should be taught all these skills!

Independent bands and musicians also do their bit to make this day special by releasing new stuff, meeting fans or performing in shops...

If you are lucky enough to live close to a good independent record shop, pay them a visit, browse and buy a record; make this a habit, support up-and-coming artists,crowfund them, nurture them...it pays off because if there is no (good) music, there is no life.

Getting ready for Record Store Day?