It’s that time of year again. Birds are singing, Springfest is right around the corner, and the sun is finally kissing our skin. The only things that can make this season more wonderful are fresh records spinning on the turntable.

Well good news, folks. Record Store Day (RSD) is Saturday, and I am here to give you the ins and outs on why this low-key holiday is so important.

The closest record store officially participating in RSD in the Palouse is Deadbeat Records, an independently-owned store, according to recordstoreday.com

When it comes to RSD or visiting Deadbeat Records, I am like a little kid sitting at the top of the stairs on Christmas morning yearning for my parents to let me come down and slash open my presents. 

Moments before the first time I stepped into Deadbeat Records, my friend who had brought me there said “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

In an alleyway off Main Street I walked down a set of stairs into what seemed like a gross old basement of a random building. I gasped when the door opened. 

My eyes skimmed over all of the records, tapes and CD’s. I shouted “I’m dying.” The manager was standing 2 feet from me behind the counter.

“Already? You haven’t even been to the back yet,” he said.

He was right. This store is everything to me.

Deadbeat Records does its best to have the newest, hottest, and most unique collection of music. There is something there for everyone, and I guarantee you will get your hands on a treasure.

RSD is the best day to support establishments that provide these services.

RSD first began in 2007. This day was founded as a way to celebrate and support the culture of independent record stores, their owners, employees, and artists.

It’s crazy how much time, effort and money musicians put into their art.

If we really take a look at the expenses that go into an album we find studio time fees, producer and manager pay rates, legal expenses, promotion, and so much more before an album is produced and a tour is even thought of.

Needless to say, the least we could do as fans is to purchase one of their albums.

However, too many people have abandoned hard copies of music and turned to streaming platforms such as Spotify, Pandora and Rdio instead. Even iTunes has encouraged 99-cent song downloads, which has stunted whole album purchases.

Alongside that, illegal downloading is a huge issue. Don’t even get me started. That’s a column for another time.

So this Saturday, in honor of independent stores and musicians, go ahead and hitch over to Deadbeat Records in Moscow and purchase that album you’ve been listening to on repeat this week.

Not only will it be beneficial for the store and the artist, but it feels so good walking out with a new vinyl or some cassette tapes in tow.