Off The Record Block Party Celebrates Record Store Say At Larimer Lounge

Who doesn’t like the smell of fresh vinyl? With music events starting to blossom all over, what a perfect way to kick off our summer than with this amazing event. It’s also benefitting one of our favorite organizations, Youth on Record.

On Saturday, June 12 (National Record Store Day), Barnstock and Larimer Lounge invite you to re-connect (in-person!) with your favorite Colorado musicians at the first ever Off the Record Block Party. The lineup features a diverse compilation of one hour long sets from the very best of Colorado’s music scene: The Reminders, LVDY, Retrofette, Trayce Chapman, and a Surprise Set with a very special featured guest. The gig will be capped off with a late-night DJ Dance Party featuring Funk Hunk and Fred Fancy. 

This unique all-day showcase will benefit Youth on Record, a local nonprofit dedicated to empowering Colorado’s underserved youth to reach their fullest artistic potential. Learn more at www.youthonrecord.org. 

To further celebrate National Record Store Day, vinyl records will be sold onsite from independently owned record shops to 303 Magazine’s popular vinyl series showcasing the Colorado Music Scene. In addition, a neighborhood food truck will be onsite, giving attendees an opportunity to support a range of local businesses in a time needed now more than ever.

Music will run from Noon to 1:30AM on Saturday, June 12 at Larimer Lounge. Tickets for each individual session are $20 and can be purchased online at www.larimer lounge.com. 

From Humble Beginnings To A National Holiday, Record Store Day Has Become A Vinyl Lover's Dream

Back in 2007, Twist and Shout Records Co-Owner Paul Epstein sat in a hotel room with several other independent record store owners and dreamed up Record Store Day.

“We were like ‘yeah! Let’s have exclusive products from all the labels’ kind of like a holiday for records. That’s what got the conversation started,” Epstein says.

Who would’ve thought,12 years later it would grow to international scale, feature rare releases from heavy weight artists like Jack White and St. Vincent, and go on to be declared an official holiday in Las Vegas and a few other American cities. Record Store Day has evolved into a multifaceted event differentiated by the record stores that put them on. Many provide artist meet and greets, live performances, and various promotional pop-ups.

Epstein looks back at the early stages of Record Store Day, “In the beginning it was a slow build. It really got going around year five. Then the labels started taking it more seriously and producing more products. That’s when we started seeing the big lines before we opened.”

Paul Epstein of Twist and Shout Records.

Every year, Twist & Shout experiences record breaking attendance and this year they expect the same. Early birds will get treated to bites from indie music festival The Underground Music Showcase and coffee from Tattered Cover Bookstore. Then doors will open at 8am.

A taste of what to expect once inside: a Grateful Dead inspired ale from Dogfish Head Brewery paired with an exclusive record and poster, KBCO’s one-of-a-kind release that will only be offered at Twist & Shout, and even a Baby Shark vinyl. Full list of products available on twistandshout.com.

First timers and veterans are given the same advice from Epstein, “Come prepared. Know your priorities because once supplies are gone, they’re gone.”

Happy hunting, music lovers.

-Demi Harvey