What We're Watching : Laurie

I Need That Record! The Death (or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store. Written and directed by Brendan Toller.

Toller explores the possible reasons why many of the independent, or "mom and pop", record stores in the United States are closing their doors. Toller visits several independent record stores and lets the owners/workers talk about why they are closing and what owning/working at the store means to them. Interviews with many musicians on independent record labels (Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Ian MacKaye of Fugazi/Minor Threat, Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers, Pat Carney of the Black Keys, Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Group and Legs McNeil co-founder and writer of Punk Magazine and former senior editor of Spin Magazine) help round out this documentary. Independent record stores not only give music fans a sense of community but also help folks discover amazing bands that the national chain stores do not stock. While downloading songs from iTunes certainly is convenient, there is nothing like holding an actual vinyl record or cd in your hand and checking out the liner notes and art work. Support your independent record store!

Some of my favorite local stores:

Car City Records- St. Clair Shores, MI
http://www.myspace.com/carcityrecords

http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Clair-Shores-MI/Car-City-Records/323427069692

The Record Collector- Ferndale, MI
http://www.myspace.com/ferndalerecords

Record Time- Roseville, MI
http://recordtime.com/Home