Record Store Day: Hippies Are Dead Roundup

What's that? You're just as stoked as we are that tomorrow's Record Store Day!?!? Glad to hear it! As you may know, this lovely blog has spun itself off into a record label, and as such, we're heavily involved in tomorrow's festivities.

To start things off the latest from The Heavenly States, Oui Camera Oui, will be available in advance of it's release date. The record will be available exclusively in its vinyl format on Saturday, with digital and CD dropping on the regular release date this coming Tuesday. The record features a guest appearance from Eugene Mirman, as well as guest vocals from Spoon's Britt Daniel on "Berlin Wall".

Next up is a record store day exclusive, created with our distributor, Burnside Distribution. They've pulled together an awesome compilation of Burnside artists, and we're happy to say HAD Records is well represented. Not only does the compilation feature the only physical release from Grand Lake's latest Leaves Ellipse with "Christmas, California", but it also features an exclusive outtake from the Oui Camera Oui sessions with Ted singing the vocals on "Berlin Wall". The compilation is available for free at West Coast retailers, when purchased with a Burnside release.

Finally, what would Record Store day be without some awesome performances? HAD Records' bands are representing, with both playing dates in California. Grand Lake will be playing an in-store at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, while The Heavenly States will be playing an evening show at Red Devil Lounge in San Francisco. Tickets to The States' gig can be purchased here. Alternatively, coupons will be handed out with Oui Camera Oui purchases at Amoeba Records: the first 100 coupon holders at the gig get in for free!

So there you have it: Record Store Day is serious business, and we here at Hippies Are Dead are more than happy to deliver! Happy shopping!

New Blur Single Drops Tomorrow

Now, there are lots of reasons to head out to head out tomorrow and support Record Store Day tomorrow: the economy, the awesomeness of record stores, and all the ridiculously exclusive merch that comes along with the event. But this year, there's something far more monumental on tap for the annual event: The return of Blur.

By all accounts, the band has recorded their first single in seven year for an exclusive 7" that will be available exclusively through shops participating in Record Store Day, and even then in extremely limited (1000 total, according to the band's site) quantities. The 7" will be one-sided (!?!?!) and contain a track called "Fool's Day", which will feature all four members of Blur. Yes!

Obviously it'll make it's way on to the interwebs in no time, but we have say that swiping such an exclusive little piece of wax just might make our Saturday.

We'll see you out there!

John Vanderslice Spinning Records At Amoeba SF For Record Store Day

You have to be something of a die hard fan to want to hear your favorite musician spin records rather than perform. That, or you have to be enough of a vinyl fetishist that hearing new records is almost as good as a liver performance. Believe us, we can empathize. If that sorta thing is your cup of tea, then Amoeba Records may be the spot for you tomorrow.

Along with a few other local luminares, John Vanderslice will be spinning records at Amoeba's SF location in honor of Record Store Day. Vanderslice is a hometown hero, indie rock aficionado, and general all around good guy, so listening to him spin records most likely worth the trip. If you need added incentive, there's a gamut of exclusive record store day releases, and the store will be bustling with festive atmosphere. That, and the fact that you know you love your local indie record shop - there's not really an excuse not to show up, is there?

mp3: John Vanderslice - Fetal Horses (From the forthcoming Romanian Names LP)

Vanderslice will be DJing from 4-5pm at Amoeba SF.