I Went All the Way to Nashville and All I Got Was This Elephant: RSD 2013

I wondered if I was even going to write a blog post about my trip to Third Man Records in Nashville for Record Store Day. I originally decided that I was not. After all, I don’t have anything particularly exciting to report. There were no (personal) Jack White sightings, no surprise performances, no parties into the night (for me), no special unannounced releases. In fact, there was a lot of standing, a lot of waiting, and much more napping than I usually get in over a week-end. I overheard someone in line say something that made me chuckle, “I am standing in a ridiculously long line, in the cold, at the crack of dawn, to pay $30 for a record that I already own.” I could just add that I bought a plane ticket to get here so I could do it. So what is there to write about? That I am crazy?

I wrote a blog post before the trip about my apprehension about it. The initial excitement of actually going to Nashville for Record Store Day, something that I have wanted to do for years, wore off rather quickly when the reality of the situation set in. I am essentially going on a trip by myself to (hopefully) hang out with people I know only in an online world. This is not like me. I was nervous that the friendships would be awkward, that I wouldn’t make any personal connections, or that I wouldn’t have patience or tolerance for people, or they wouldn’t have it for me. I am not a really social person outside my close circles, I generally have no interest in talking to strangers. I started to dread the trip. I was excited in theory, but I couldn’t shake my social anxieties.

When I pulled into the parking lot of Third Man Records, or more accurately, the homeless mission across the street, my heart immediately started to pump. I was so excited to be here again. This place was essentially the homeland of one my biggest passions. This is where Jack lives. I was here once before, but I had the giddiness of a school girl as I parked my car.

Third Man Records in Nashville, TN

Before I could even cross the street, someone recognized me from our mutual online friendship and called out my name. Before I knew it I was standing in a small group of people, all of whom I knew from years of online communications about our mutual love of Jack. It felt easy and natural and I knew instantly that my fears were unfounded. Within minutes I felt comfortable, like I was hanging out with old friends, in fact these were old friends, people I have known in a certain capacity for years. In my anxiety I had convinced myself that these people were strangers, when in fact, we have been following each others lives online for years. It is a reality of our modern lives, I had formed real connections with people I knew online, I just hadn’t classified it that way in my mind, because it seemed strange to say that I was friends with someone I had never met in person. I proved myself wrong.

The one thing that really stood out to me that first afternoon in the parking lot in front of Third Man Records is that there was absolutely no pretension among fans. I was standing with a small group of people that included men and women, teenagers to adults (am I an adult? No not yet, I don’t think) of different races, ages, and backgrounds, all bonding on a mutual love of music and Third Man Records. Kindred spirits with likely not much in common other than our passionate love of music, and that was all we needed.

I went into the tiny crowded store and resisted the great urge to buy one of everything that was available for sale. I bought a slip mat, a magnet, and a couple of tokens to make an Airline guitar mold in the Third Man Novelty Shop.

Who wouldn't want a wax mold Airline guitar?

While I had friends who had tents set up affectionately known as “Tent City” or “Tent Yorba” in prime position to be the first people through the doors on Record Store Day, I ultimately was too unprepared for a night of sleeping on a sidewalk. While others had cold weather gear, sleeping bags, pillows, chairs, and tents, I had not much more than the lightweight sweatshirt. After considering the overnight weather forecast, I decided it was either too cold, or I was too old, for sidewalk camping. I planned to sleep in the comfort my warm hotel room and head back down at 5am to stake out a place in line.  I'd have to take my chances that I would still get a record.

In 2011 in LA I had met this awesome couple waiting in line at a Wanda Jackson show (featuring Jack White on guitar, of course) and had remained friends via Facebook these last couple years. When I announced on Facebook that I would be going to Nashville, I was excited to hear that they planned on going too. They were driving in from Kentucky, and we made plans to meet for a late dinner downtown Nashville on Friday night.

Me and my old friend. :)

We spent the evening rehashing our Jack White encounters, discussing our concert experiences, weighing the odds of laying our eyes (or ears) on Jack tomorrow. It was just like we were long-time, old friends reuniting, although we had actually only met once before on a chance encounter.

We arrived around 5:30am to claim our place in a line that was already to the end of the street, wrapped around the corner, almost to the next block, filled with mostly sleeping campers in their tents or sleeping bags.

I’ll spare you most of the details of the next eight hours, because it was a lot of standing, sitting, waiting, moving, not moving, wondering why we were not moving faster. We forged new friendships with all the people around us in line, all while listening to acoustic versions of our favorite Jack songs performed by fellow fans around us.

This is the line behind me after about six hours

Entertaining ourselves on the street

Eight hours after I first stood in that line, I turned over my credit card in exchange for a coveted copy of a limited edition colored vinyl release of the White Stripes 2003 album, Elephant. I was exhausted, but ecstatic. Mission accomplished. But was there more? I felt my trip was fully satisfied, but I couldn’t help but hope for the surprise Jack sighting or performance. Karen Elson was on stage in the infamous blue room, and I felt excited just to stand in the room where I had seen so many recorded performances (not to mention the Elephant head from Jack’s appearance on American Pickers.) Then the room starting buzzing…Brendan Benson just arrived, people reported seeing Jack’s kids get out of a SUV. Was there going to be a surprise Raconteurs appearance? Was Jack going to show his face? When asked if Jack would be taking the stage, Third Man employees responded, “I have no idea.” It really seemed like something big was going to happen…until the lights came on, and they announced that the performances were complete for the day. Thank you, come again. It felt like a letdown at the time, but honestly the buzz and the anticipation of those moments were some of the most exciting moments of the trip. It would have been nice if something would have materialized, but I wasn’t going to let it take away from the fun and success of the day.

In front of TMR

In the end, I walked away with exactly what I came for, and in the meantime, had an experience of a lifetime. I could see this becoming a yearly tradition.  

I went all the way to Nashville and all I got was this Elephant

The fruits of my labor

In closing, I will quote something one of my friends posted on Facebook after the event:

“The surprise was that after all was said and done, even though there wasn’t an “unannounced super-special record” or a Rac’s or Jack show, we still walked away fulfilled, knowing we all just had one hell of a good time, enjoying the company of our fellow music lovers…while experiencing just how bad ass TMR is, on every level…Sure, there were some employees acting coy, and occasionally giving bum information that would lead us to believe that there was something else up TMR’s sleeve, but at the end of the day, it didn’t matter. We came, we hung out, bought a bunch of kick-ass merchandise, caught some live music, and even the speculation was a blast. Best RSD @TMR ever? Hell yes…” - Ryan Muddiman

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

I'm so happy that I didn't let fear keep me from this experience. Thanks to all my old and new friends who made this trip memorable, and to my husband who is so understanding and supportive of my crazy passions.

Lea

Ways to legally stalk me:

Follow me on Facebook (Fell in Love with a Band)
Follow me on Facebook (Running with Ollie)
Follow me on Twitter @GeaLenders
See what I am up to on Pinterest
Add me to your circles on Google +
Follow me on Instagram @runningwithollie
 

Blunderbuss: A Completely Biased Pre-Review...

Blunderbuss: A Completely Biased Pre-Review of an Album I Haven't Heard in its Entirety.



Asking me to write an unbiased review of Jack White’s new album "Blunderbuss" is like asking an 8 year old to write an objective review on Disney World. There is just no way I won’t love this album. Jack could put out an album of instrumental accordion work and I would probably be first in line to buy it. This is not to say that I think Jack can do no wrong. Remember that whole ICP 7” thing? Yeah, still not loving that one.

It is just that Jack is continually evolving, as he should. He is not the kind of artist that is going to rehash his successes over and over again. This is not a White Stripes album, nor is it intended to be. If you are expecting a repeat of what you have heard in the past, you will probably be disappointed.

I can’t help but remember back to when the White Stripes "Elephant" CD came out. Remember way back then when people still listened to CD's? This is almost embarrassing to admit now, but after the very first listen back in 2003 I thought, “What the heck is this crap?” Yes, I thought that (blushing). Shortly after, I woke up and realized that "Elephant" is pretty epic, but it wasn't "White Blood Cells." At that time, I wanted another "White Blood Cells." Jack and Meg were evolving. I didn’t get it, at first. I listen to it today and try to remember what it was that I didn’t like at first and of course, I have no idea.

The first song the world heard off Jack's new album "Blunderbuss" was "Love Interruption," a sweet sounding but lyrically bitter acoustic duet with Ruby Amanfu. It gave us our first hint into the excitement that would be Jack’s first ever solo album, but Jack was quick to point out that this song was not representative of the tone of the album. Which only led to more wonder and excitement about what to expect.

Then on 03-03, a date that was fitting for Jack White, we heard a second song from his album during his performance on Saturday Night Live. “Sixteen Saltines” made me thirsty for more. This is the kind of stuff I was hoping for, Jack doing what Jack does best on guitar. In response to a comment that the album was 90% piano, Jack said in a vault chat that “There's more guitar solos by me on this record than any I’ve made since Icky Thump.” I took that comment as sort of tongue in cheek. (Jack, sarcastic? No.) After all, Jack has put out three albums since Icky Thump in 2006, but on two of those albums (the Dead Weather), he was the drummer. He wasn't doing many guitar solos at all.

"Freedom at 21" was the third song released ahead of the album. On April 1st, TMR released a limited edition Flexi Disc of this vinyl single by attaching them to helium balloons and letting them fall from the sky into lucky fans hands. While I had hoped for some strong winds to blow a balloon from Nashville to Fort Worth, it seems a bunch got tangled together and one very lucky family ended up with several copies. Of course, they ultimately landed on E-bay, and it sold for over $4000. Lucky bastards. Note to self: Work on convincing hubby to move to Nashville. Oh yeah, the song, I almost forgot. Love it. Seriously. I think my favorite of what I have heard so far. I am growing more excited.

Now it was time to just sit back and wait (not so) patiently for the April 24th release date. Then I heard over the week-end that the album leaked. I struggled with whether to download the torrent. I have already pre-ordered the vinyl (so therefore already a paying customer) and I have a strong aversion to paying for the same album twice (i.e. vinyl & iTunes), I even wrote a blog about that once. Downloading the torrent didn’t present a moral issue. It was more about waiting and letting the excitement build and hearing it as (and when) it was intended. Almost as soon as I decided that I would wait for the official release, Jack went ahead and made it available to stream on iTunes for free a week before the album officially came out. Free, Legal, Now.

So what is a girl to do? My very favorite ways to listen to a album for the first time is to put it on the record player or put on my headphones and go for a long run. Both of these methods allow me to focus on the music with no distractions.

I caved. I am listening to the album for the first time via on the iTunes stream as I type this blog. Well, I thought I caved. iTunes kept buffering every time it would start to play a song I haven't heard yet. How does iTunes know how to annoy me so effectively? I don't usually have buffering issues on my computer so I can only assume it the universe telling me to wait for the vinyl. Or as a friend posted on my blog Facebook page, when I complained about my iTunes issues, "Careful...your computer may not be able to handle such awesomeness!"

So, here it is, My pre-review of an album that I haven't actually heard in its entirety:

I love it y'all. Of course I do.

This might be the first time I ever typed the (not really a) word y'all in the 14 years that I have lived in Texas. It seems appropriate this time.

Record Store Day 2011

I love records. Therefore, I LOVE Record Store Day. This year Record Store Day falls on April 16th. This is only the 2nd year that I will be celebrating, but apparently it has been going on since 2007. I’m just a little late to the party (as usual). Are you?



Record Store day is celebrated on third Saturday of April and hundreds of independent record stores around the country (the world?) will be participating in the celebration. Record stores will be having parties, live performances and special RSD releases. Snacks Perhaps? Don't be greedy. One can only hope. All of this is meant to bring together the local music community and promote the (sadly dwindling) independent record store. In other words, Don’t expect Best Buy to have a party in their 1ft vinyl section, I mean shelf. (They better not anyway).

I could tell you all about it, or you could just go to www.recordstoreday.com and read all about it for yourself, and then I can get to my point.

I have two favorite record stores in Dallas/Fort Worth. One being Good Records on Greenville Ave in Dallas and the other is Forever Young Records in Grand Prairie.

Good Records recently announced their lineup of bands playing from 11am to 11pm plus tons of vinyl releases. To my surprise and delight they announced they will have the limited edition releases from my beloved Third Man Records.

You can you watch the guys at Third Man tell you about them here. Although, I wont make it to Nashville this year, I hope to pick up these releases at good old Good Records.





These types of swirly and rose petal limited edition releases are usually only available from the Third Man Records store in Nashville, TN (or by the luck of the draw with a random mail order). My hubby will undoubtedly be with me in line at 8am on Saturday at Good Records with bells on. After all, the drive into Dallas is a heck of a lot shorter than the one to Nashville.




Reissue of the White Stripes second single from 1998. Limited quantities available on white/black swirled vinyl.
7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Tracklist
A Lafayette Blues 2:14
B Sugar Never Tasted So Good 2:55



Reissue of the White Stripes first ever release from 1998. Limited quantities available on red/black swirled vinyl.
7'' vinyl single, fold-over picture sleeve in poly bag

Tracklist
A Let's Shake Hands 2:03
B Look Me Over Closely 2:17



Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi/Jack White/Norah Jones. I'm excited for this one!

The debut release from the highly-anticipated ROME project produced by Danger Mouse in conjunction with Daniele Luppi. Jack White wrote the lyrics and sings on ''Two Against One'' and Norah Jones takes the vocal duties for ''Black.'' Many of the instrumentalists on the album recorded with Ennio Morricone for his classic spaghetti-Western soundtracks.



KAREN ELSON:

Custom made, clear vinyl single with peach-colored rose petals INSIDE the record.

A cover of the Lou Reed classic backed with an unbelievably visceral outtake from Elson's ''The Ghost Who Walks'' LP. Limited to 1000 copies.



http://www.goodrecords.com/recordstoreday/

Hell on Wheels?

From my perspective, more like heaven. Jack White just might be rolling into your town. Literally.

Yesterday, Third Man Records unveiled the Third Man Rolling Record Store. According to the video posted by TMR on You-Tube, 97% of high school aged kids today have NEVER been to an independent record store. "Perhaps they couldn’t find one", they mused.

Say what you will about Jack White (I can only think of good things, but that’s just me), but one thing that can’t be denied is that he is innovative. Remember the Triple Decker Record from the Dead Weather?

How about scented vinyl from Karen Elson? Or the Greeting Card Fold packaging from Wanda Jackson? (You know, it plays music when you open the fold, just like a greeting card). Fans all over the world are chomping at the bit to get their hands on these limited edition vinyl releases, whether it be a split-color of a White Stripes re-issue or a hair record of the live performance of Reggie Watts at Third Man Record’s own venue. Yes, you read right. The Hair Record.

If you can’t make it to Nashville to stand in line at the Third Man Record Store for these types of releases, then you probably aren’t going to get one, unless you pay exorbitant prices on eBay. But, that is another blog topic all together.

Solution? Jack and team created the Third Man Rolling Record store. Can’t get to Nashville? Maybe the Third Man Record Nashville shop will come to you.

The Third Man Rolling Record Store, painted in the famous yellow and black, "is designed to reflect the look, feel and panache of the Third Man Records Nashville location", boasts a post on the TMR subscription service called The Vault. The retail store on wheels brags of two turntables and a microphone to play vinyl while you shop (Does Beck get a royalty check every time someone uses that phrase?). It has a high quality amplification system so bands can plug into the van from outside and play wherever the truck is parked. TMR is promising to keep it on the road regularly, from concerts to festivals to any other strange location you can think of...or so they threaten.

As your brain is trying to think of what strange locations they may be talking about, think of it like this: If the bookmobile is the nerdy kid in school, the Third Man Rolling Record Store is that cool musician guy that all the girls swoon over.

The Third Man Rolling Record Store is making its debut at the SXSW festival in Austin March 16-20th and is promising exclusive merchandise. I had no previous intentions to going to Austin this year for SXSW, but since the announcement, we are planning a road trip and an overnight stay to check it out. Luckily, I have a very patient husband who indulges me in this sort of thing. We won’t actually have wristbands for SXSW, we’ll likely just check out the TMR stuff and maybe some local events outside the festival. There are plenty of things to do and see around Austin next week-end that don't cost $200 a wrist.

Here it is, another innovation coming out of Third Man Records. I am excited to see where it will show up next, maybe at my house?

I wonder if it is available for Birthdays and Bar Mitzvahs.

You can watch the video here:


Updated: SXSW TMR artist shows and RRS events:

Open daily from 12-5pm and 7-10pm. Here's a list of our scheduled locations:

March 16th - 4th and Colorado (next to Frank)

March 17th - Waterloo Records

March 18th - 4th and Colorado (next to Frank)

March 19th - Rainy St. and Driscoll



Here's where you can catch Third Man artists at SXSW:



* WANDA JACKSON

Saturday, March 20

Rachael Ray's Feedback Day Party at Stubbs



* THE GREENHORNES

Thursday, March 17

1:00pm - Waterloo Performance

1:15am - Domino/Emo's Jr. Performance



Saturday, March 19

7:00pm - Headlining the Consequence of Sound day party at Larimer Lounge



* JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD

Wednesday, March 16

2:00 PM - eMusic Party @ Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St, Austin, TX 78701



Thursday, March 17

3:10 PM - PreFixMag.com Party @ 501 Studios, 501 Brushy St, Austin, TX 78702

4:30 PM – Thrasher/Impose Magazine Party @ Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St,

Austin, TX 78702



Friday, March 18

3:30 PM - Volcom Party @ Jackalope, 404 E. 6th St, Austin, TX 78701

10:00 PM - Vice/Noisey.com Party @ Kiss N Fly, 404 Colorado St (@ 5th St),

Austin, TX 78701



Saturday, March 19

11:00 PM - Panache Booking Party @ The Mohawk, 912 Red River St, Austin, TX

78701



* WE ARE HEX

Tuesday, March 15

12:00am - Frank



Wednesday, March 16

The Badlands (time TBA) | Elysium (SXSW Offical 12AM)



Thursday, March 17

Gueros (time 12PM) | Hole in the Wall (time 8PM)



Friday, March 18th

Habana Bar (SXSW Offical 1AM) | Peckerhead's (time TBA) | Red Eyed Fly (time

TBA)



* PUJOL

Tuesday, March 15

11:00pm - Panache Pre-SXSW Party At Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th Street (Inside

Stage)



Wednesday, March 16th

4:45pm - AnSo SXSW Party At Spider House, 2908 Fruth Street



Thursday, March 19th

1:00pm - Brooklyn Vegan Day Party At Barbarella, 615 Red River Street

3:00pm - Strange Boys Party At Trailer Space, 401 Rosewood Avenue

12:00am - Pinpoint Music Unofficial Show At Lanai Rooftop Lounge, 422

Congress Avenue



Friday, March 18th

2:25pm - Stay Gold Show At The Eastern, 1511 E. 6th Street

4:30pm - My Old Kentucky Blog Party At Peckerheads, 402 E. 6th Street

7:45pm - Austin Psych Fest Show At Spider House, 2906 Fruth Street



Saturday, March 19th

3:30pm - Psychic Lunch At Spider House, 2906 Fruth Street

9:40pm - Panache Booking SXSW Showcase At Mohawk, 912 Red River Street

(Inside Stage)



Sunday, March 20th

3:30pm Panache Hangover Party At Beerland, 711 Red River Street