CASSETTE STORE DAY 2018 RETURNS 13TH OCTOBER

Cassette Store Day 2018

The annual retro-fest event Cassette Store Day returns on October 13th and we spoke to CSD UK manager Brit Williams about what she has in store for the event’s sixth year.

“Yes, we’re back and some say it couldn’t be done. Cassette Store Day 2017 was brilliant and we had an impressive amount of releases submitted not only in the UK but all around the world, something like 300 cassettes. It’s exciting.”

Cassette Store Day is run by three labels independently, Blak Hand Records in the UK, Burger Records in the USA and Side-B Creations in Japan.

Brit says, “I met with Takamasa of Side-B Recs last year in London, and it was incredible to see the merchandise and extent that they have gone in Japan to celebrate CSD. Limited edition walk-mans, keyrings, hats, sunglasses, t-shirts. He brought it all for me in a little brown box. It was the coolest thing to see that something that was started in England has now gone not only to Japan but the States, Australia, China, even Indonesia! Who knows where it will take off next.”

Cassette Store Day has had releases over the past few years from the likes of The White Stripes, Courtney Barnett, Allah Las, Julian Casablancas, Ramones, The Flaming Lips and Motörhead.

“For me it’s not about how many famous bands sign up or re-release albums on to tape” Brit states. “What humbles me the most is seeing underground, independent and unrecognised labels and musicians taking a chance and putting themselves out there to be a part of something bigger. If that platform is through Cassette Store Day, I can’t think of any better or more welcoming place. I don’t want people to worry whether they have a cassette player to listen to the music on. It’s become more of a community project than anything. We’re urging music lovers to put on their own DIY gigs, tape fairs, radio shows, to go out and record a demo, EP or album and just release it. Don’t be afraid.  The growth of Cassette Day relies on its participants. We can make something really special out of this, and have done for the last few years.”

“We’re still spreading the awareness. Everybody laughs when they see me selling my releases at the [Indie Label] Market and can’t believe cassettes are still a ‘thing’. Yes, an affordable and creative way to make music – why not? Instead of wasting money on unsold vinyl, we wanted to make something that people will remember, because it sets itself away from the rest of their music collection. No, cassettes won’t take over the world, they won’t be as big as vinyl or CDs, but so what. It’s fun, and I think a lot of people forget why we’re doing it in the first place. It’s about the music and the message, and any platform for that should be recognised, even if it’s a little outdated.”

Blak Hand Records will be throwing a special Cassette Store Day event at The Shacklewell Arms in London. Acts tba.

The first round of Cassette Store Day releases is below.

More information on how to sign up can be found at cassettestoredayuk.com

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