Record Store Day responds to accusations that it “betrays” small labels

Organisers behind Record Store Day (taking place this year on 18th April) have issued a statement regarding recent criticism that it doesn’t do enough to represent small labels.

In an extensive statement to The Vinyl Factory, the Now Entertainment Retailers Association (representing Record Store Day) concludes by saying “give us a break” when addressing recent concerns.

Earlier this month, independent labels Sonic Cathedral and Howling Owl announced a split release that acted as a “boycott” for the yearly celebration. “Every day should be record store day,” the labels stated, claiming that RSD’s rules were “not beneficial to small, backs to the wall labels.”

Record Store Day’s official response recites its purpose, to “promote independent record shops (the clue is in the name).”

It states that “because indie record shops disproportionately support independent labels, indie labels are among the biggest winners from RSD. While media coverage inevitably focuses on superstar acts often signed to major labels, in fact three out of four RSD releases are on indie labels.”

Read the statement in full here.

Howling Owl has already called the statement a “patronising response”.