Sound Fix
44 Berry St., nr. N. 11th.; 718-388-8090
The brightly colored Williamsburg shop opens early with plenty of the special-edition Record Store Day releases in stock. But it’s more than just vinyl: The store tops the day off with a performance from indie-pop duo Mates of State at 7:30 p.m. For free (!). After a long day wandering from shop to shop in the city, this is your potential after-party.
Open: 10 a.m.
Other Music
15 E. 4th St., nr. Lafayette St.; 212-477-8150
Probably New York’s most famous record store, Other Music has a bit of a reputation to live up to—and this year, they won’t let you down. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Colombe will provide free coffee to those eagerly waiting in line and shopping. And starting at 2 and going till 8 p.m., the following bands will do hour-long D.J. sets: Four Tet, Black Dice, Ex Cops, Psychic Ills, the Men, and Wild Nothing. Yes, all of those bands. And yes, we know.
Open: 11 a.m.
Permanent Records
181 Franklin St., nr. Huron St.; 718-383-4083
Expect a crowd of knowledgeable music lovers here, one of the city’s most friendly and quaint shops. Clerks will announce random record giveaways throughout the day, and on top of that, dream poppers Memoryhouse will perform in the shop at 3 p.m., with local band Mattison performing surrounding sets at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. And if we’re lucky, sources say a “major beverage company” might show up and provide drinks for patrons as they wait in line in the morning. So, nothing left to do but show up and find out.
Open: 11 a.m.
Turntable Lab
120 E. 7th St., nr. Ave. A; 212-677-0675
The D.J. oasis celebrates the audiophile national holiday with multiple in-store D.J. sets (see the complete list here), but this is the spot if you want a bite to eat while flipping through racks. Nakin Boots will be barbecuing, and neighboring Big Gay Ice Cream Shop will have specials on on their finest flavors. Just be sure to wipe your hands.
Open: 12 p.m.
Generation Records
210 Thompson St., nr. Bleecker St.; 212-254-1100
The classic shop will open early with all their Record Store Day goodies and, between 2 and 6 p.m., will host a variety of bands and D.J.’s, including Joyce Manor, Night Birds, Supertouch, and the Paul Collins Beat. Sweet as all that sounds, the best part might be what they told us over the phone: “We won’t have beer, officially.” Take that however you want.
Open: 10 a.m.