Record Store Day is a tradition that happens every spring.
This is a day for music fans worldwide to come together at their local record stores to buy special releases from their favorite artists. This year, fans will have the chance to get limited releases from classic artists like the Grateful Dead and Ringo Starr, as well as from more modern artists like Paramore and Noah Kahan.
Beside being a music celebration for artists and fans, Record Store Day also brings a lot of attention and excitement to the record stores themselves. In Northeast Pennsylvania, participating stores welcome guests from counties and states away, bringing the musical community together through their own unique twists on the day.
From the Wyoming Valley to Carbon and Columbia counties, local music fans will have many shopping choices for Record Store Day this year. With such a diverse range of music and stores to choose from, shoppers looking to join in on the Record Store Day fun will have options.
Gallery of Sound
Joe Nardone Jr. of Gallery of Sound comes from a family of local music legends. The stores, with locations in Wilkes-Barre and Dickson City, were established by his father and Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Famer Joe Nardone Sr. But Joe Jr. has made a successful career in the music scene on his own, including being an early supporter of Record Store Day when the idea was first being discussed in store owner circles.
“We were at a convention of record stores, about 18 years ago. Some guys were there just discussing some ideas of what we could do. It was a tough time for record stores, with Tower Records having just closed and some of the other big companies were leaving the business or losing interest. There was a lot of negative press for the music business,” explained Nardone Jr. “So the idea was let’s do something positive. Let’s try to get a positive spin on record stores, and brainstorm a plan to give back to the people who support the stores.”
Record Store Day has survived largely due to the strong local support around record stores. This support comes from fans and the artists themselves, who help support record stores like Gallery of Sound throughout the year. From Nardone Jr.’s point of view, this support shows Gallery of Sound’s commitment to high-quality customer service.
“The community support has been really good. We’ve had a good following over the years and we try to do right by the customers. We aim to provide excellent customer service and cater to the customer’s needs,” said Nardone Jr. “Whether we have [the product] in stock for them or we get things for people, we try to track stuff down.”
Musical Energi
Jay Notartomaso is the owner of Musical Energi (pronounced en-er-jai) on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. His store has a huge collection of used records and has moved around to different locations, including a kiosk in the Wyoming Valley Mall and a storefront on North Main Street. The collection’s current home on the other side of Public Square was gathered over many years, and is well maintained in the relatively large amount of space he has in his prime downtown location.
“Customers bring in their unwanted records, and then CDs became popular, so we started buying CDs and tapes. Records are like rabbits,” Notartomaso said with amusement. “They come back a year later, and suddenly there are thousands more records.”
Notartomaso enjoys the social aspect of being a record store owner, especially on Record Store Day. It gives him a chance to interact with the people who visit the store. Hearing from people with diverse musical interests is one of the joys of Record Store Day from Notartomaso’s point of view. A love of music, records, and record stores is a common bond he and his customers can actively share leading up to Record Store Day.
“It really helps us to know what people are searching for because it’s really hard to predict what people will go crazy for. It could be something unexpected that becomes a big deal,” Notartomaso noted on the surprising releases that have gained traction for Record Store Day. “And then two days before, you keep getting calls – ‘Do you have it? Do you have it? Do you have it?’”
Soundcheck Records
Located on the main street in Jim Thorpe, a popular tourist town in Pennsylvania, Soundcheck Records attracts a diverse audience. This is enhanced by its proximity to two highly regarded entertainment venues in the area: Penn’s Peak and the Mauch Chunk Opera House. Shop owner Jim “Trooper” Pompa understands the benefits of operating in such a fashionable location, as demonstrated by some of the more prominent guests his store has hosted over the years.
“That’s the exciting thing about being downtown. None of this used to happen when I was growing up here. We’ve been visited by Graham Nash, Kenny Loggins, John Waite, and Samantha Fish. Mark Mendoza from Twisted Sister, the bass player, also drops by our store every now and then,” Pompa remarked about the famous individuals who have visited Soundcheck Records.
Pompa acknowledged the increasing interest in Record Store Day over the past fifteen years, particularly as major artists provide exclusive material. As the event grows each year, the supply process for shop owners has become more detailed, especially when a particular artist with a new release on Record Store Day happens to have a passionate fanbase.
“Last year was our biggest Record Store Day ever, and that was because of Taylor Swift. She released the Folklore sessions LP exclusively for [record stores]. The line stretched down and around the corner,” Pompa said. “Obviously, people wanted other things, but ‘Swiftie’ was the driving force.”
WaxPax Records
Mark Collier, the owner and operator of WaxPax Records in Berwick, is one of the most enthusiastic record shop owners you’ll find. Along with his main assistant, Raven Kline, he has created an inclusive environment for music enthusiasts and artists to express themselves. WaxPax has not only become a rising star among record stores but also a focal point for the local music scene. By expanding his store to include a performance area for live acts, Collier has brought music to the region in multiple ways.
Collier stated that in their store, they don't shame people for their music choices, regardless of what they're looking for. They will help them find it without judgment or trying to push them towards something else. They believe there's no such thing as guilty pleasure and people should enjoy music without feeling bad about it.
Collier, the owner of a record store, has become known for supporting Record Store Day by organizing fun events like game shows and live music, creating a lively atmosphere at WaxPax. This came from his own experiences as a record buyer and noticing a demand for such events.
Collier talked about how he used to daydream about enhancing Record Store Day and decided to make it even more exciting. He wanted to take an already great day and make it even better by adding more elements to it.
Tips for Record Store Day 2024
It's advisable to call ahead to the store you plan to visit on Record Store Day to check if they have the products you're interested in. Each store has its own unique culture for the day, so planning in advance is crucial. Additionally, expect to wait in line for popular records, so thinking ahead will improve your experience.
The following record stores near Wilkes-Barre are taking part:
● Musical Energi, 24 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 – (570) 829-2929
● Gallery of Sound, 186 Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702 – (570) 829-3603
● Gallery of Sound, 237 Scranton Carbondale Highway, Dickson City, PA 18508 – (570) 969-0778
● WaxPax Records, 230 West Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603 – (570) 441-6799
● Soundcheck Records, 23 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 – (570) 325-4009
For a complete list of participating stores, go to https://recordstoreday.com/Stores.
