Ready for the ultimate needle drop? Listen up for everything you need to know about Record Store Day (RSD), taking place this Saturday, April 12.

What is Record Store Day?

RSD occurs two times a year: Once in the spring and again on Black Friday. Both times, musicians release limited copies of specific albums on vinyl. While some prints may get re-released in the future, once they're gone, they're gone.

If you're perusing the list, you'll notice three different release types:

RSD Exclusive: Records only available at indie retailers
RSD First: Records first available on RSD, but may be released online and in stores in the future
RSD Limited Run/Regional Focus: Rare, very limited releases

Record Store Day includes exclusive releases from a variety of artists. | Photo by LEXtoday

Shop local

In Lexington, we have three stores that participate in RSD:

CD Central, 377 S. Limestone | First come, first served.
POPS Resale, 1423 Leestown Rd. | Slots for early entry are filled, opens to the public at 12 p.m.
Sami's Music/The Album, 371 S. Limestone | First come, first served.

Be sure to check out each store's social media pages to stay up-to-date on any RSD-related news.

Aayat's pro tips

Hey y'all, it's City Editor Aayat. After years of working behind the counter at CD Central, I'm here to give our newbie and veteran audiophiles the scoop what to expect on RSD.

First, vinyl enthusiasts are among the most dedicated collectors, so my first tip is to have an idea of what you want before entering the record store. Without a plan in place, you could miss out.

Second, long lines are inevitable (I've seen people camp out with sleeping bags in the wee hours of the morning), so I also recommend grabbing your favorite breakfast + coffee and dressing appropriately for the weather.

Lastly, remember that just because it's on the RSD list, does not guarantee a store will have received it. This event is fun, but competitive, and stores cannot promise that they will have a copy of each release. Be patient, and call your friendly record store clerk so they can give you an idea of what to expect.

Happy collecting.