While streaming services offer convenience and instant access to nearly every song ever, their ease often comes at the expense of connection. As much as I hate to admit it, it’s all too easy to become a passive listener when you plug in your phone and hit shuffle on a playlist you’ve listened to 157 times before (or is that just me?). Vinyl, on the other hand, demands an active listener, even if for the sole purpose of standing up to flip the record. Beyond that, there’s texture and warmth to the format, the occasional crackle and pop keeping you on your toes.
And the return to vinyl isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader analog revival that includes everything from cassette tapes and CDs to instant cameras and zines and typewriters. At the heart of it, I believe, is a collective longing (and perhaps even a need) to feel connected to the things we consume. It’s nostalgia, yes, but it’s also about ownership, intention, and slowing down in a fast-moving world. Chelsea Mitchell from Newtown Book and Record Exchange (and the band Dirty Dollhouse) put it succinctly: “It’s one less thing keeping us beholden to screens; it begs for interaction and care. It gets passed down like an heirloom and it’s good for the soul.” Let this Gen Z individual tell you, we can all use some salve for the soul.
Newtown Book & Record Exchange
Mitchell also noted that in her experience, people who value physical music media choose vinyl above all else. “You can’t beat the packaging, artwork, inserts, or the ritual of putting on a record. We’re craving tangible things in a digitized world. Not to exaggerate the importance of purveying vinyl, but… I do think every community needs a record store.”
Pat Feeney, the owner of Main Street Music, echoed that sentiment. “I love the format. It’s what I grew up on. I’ve been buying records since I was 12 years old and my passion for music has never wavered over the years.”
For independent record stores, this longing and love translate into real momentum and real community. Ergo: Record Store Day (RSD), launched in 2008, and a vital annual celebration that draws crowds and spotlights exclusive vinyl releases. Feeney is excited about the MJ Lenderman live LP, The Replacements’ Tim reissue, and the John Lennon live EP, while Mitchell is eager for the annual Bill Evans RSD release.
The racks at Main Street Music | photo courtesy of Main Street Music
Independent stores like Main Street Music and Newtown Book and Record Exchange are gearing up for RSD in all her glory: an early opening, long lines, and buzzing energy all day long. Some stores will have live music, DJ sets, and other celebrations planned, serving as a welcome reminder that music is a physical and social experience. Feeney recalled a favorite RSD memory: hosting Billy Bragg for an in-store performance. The day is also a chance for store owners to reflect on the culture they’ve built. “Before I owned the shop and was just an employee, I used to invite my musician friends to perform all day long inside the store,” Mitchell recalled, “Now the event itself has gotten so big and crowded that taking up a large portion of the store with a stage isn’t feasible. Hopefully we can turn it into a mini-fest again someday.”
Despite challenges like rising overhead costs, sourcing quality used records, and unpredictable retail cycles, both store owners remain optimistic. “We are grateful for the vinyl resurgence,” Feeney said, “It is a big reason why Main Street Music is still here after 33 years.”
And, if you couldn’t tell, we also love vinyl at WXPN! This Thursday marked the first XPN Vinyl Day. Not to mention, XPN’s own Homegrown Originals Vol. 3 will make a return on Record Store Day, available as a free gift with purchases at select independent record stores around the Philly region.
Whether you’re hunting for a rare pressing, supporting a local shop, or just curious what all the fuss about records is, Record Store Day is an invitation – to listen closer, linger longer, and celebrate music in its most tangible form.
