View out of Grooves Records in San Francisco

Over the past few days I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of music that can be held in one’s hands. The third annual Record Store Day on Saturday (if you missed it, take a look at our Radio Guide for the event) celebrated both physical record stores and the non-digital releases sold within their walls.

As I visited two of my favorite San Francisco record stores, Aquarius and Grooves, I was elated to see people combing through bins of records and CDs and talking about music with each other.

I also spotted a case full of cassettes at Aquarius and boxes housing 8-track tapes at Grooves, illustrating that there is still a market for formats that many assume to be non-existent.

Cassettes for Sale at Aquarius Records

The success of this year’s Record Store Day speaks to the desire held by many to hang on to the physical aspects of music amid the pressures to “go digital.”

College radio is a logical home for some of these tensions, as some stations are getting rid of vinyl (and even CDs), using automation software, and are allowing DJs to use iPods during their radio shows.

8-Track Tapes for Sale at Grooves in San Francisco

These debates about the role of physical music in radio are at the core of an article that I wrote this week for PopMatters called “Technology and the Soul of College Radio.”

In the piece I talk about both the history of innovation in college radio (ever the trendsetter) and how the dark side of tech may be seeping in to its programming, threatening to homogenize the airsound and take away some of the energy and whimsy that I think should typify college radio.

The response to my article has been fascinating, with some people telling me that they are afraid to voice their opinions against digital music and with others sharing how their college radio stations have already gone to the dark side of commercial-esque Selector-scheduled programming. And I didn’t even get into the arguments related to fidelity, which is a big concern for many in the anti-digital music camp. What do you think? Does physical music make for better-sounding radio?

The oldest music store in the city, Aquarius is not big, and it’s far from comprehensive in its selection. If you want the latest Black Eyed Peas or Bon Jovi albums you’re probably better off going to Ameoba. Instead, Aquarius specializes in arcane, experimental music, including obscure heavy metal. For most people the store would be inscrutable; to me, it’s heaven.

But it’s not just the inventory that makes Aquarius great. It’s that every CD and record in the place appears to be careful chosen, even curated. For a store its size quite a bit of space is given over to employee favorites and new releases. And every single one of those new or favorite albums has a paragraph-long write-up on the front describing the artist and album in loving detail.

Aquarius Records website features a long list of new releases and reviews.

So what the hell does this have to do with radio? I learned about Aquarius for the first time when the store’s owners Andee Connors and Allan Horrocks were guest DJs on WFMU’s Brian Turner show. I was amazed at Connors’ and Horrock’s deep knowledge and passion for all of this obscure music that I’m also a big fan of. I was also blown away by the idea that there was a real brick-and-mortar store out there specializing these obscurities. I knew I had to visit the first chance I could get.

What’s best about Aquarius Records is the same that’s best about radio. Great music radio is about passion and curation, like an auditory art gallery where the DJ carefully and meticulously shares new music that she loves, that moves her or intrigues her.

Like radio, the music industry–and record stores in particular–are supposed to be in their death throes. But a store like Aquarius seems to survive, and even thrive because it appears to be motivated by passion inasmuch as profit. Community and college stations like WFMU hold on because they, too, are fueled by this commitment to serving up what’s interesting and good.

When you can find the new Bon Jovi anywhere, why go to the radio or an actual record store when Wal-Mart will be easier and cheaper? The new 7″ from Boris or CD from MOEBIUS / PLANK / NEUMEIER may be more obscure, but the fan is likely far more dedicated.

I might find any of these obscure releases at Amazon, but I’ll have to look hard, know what I’m looking for and then there’s a good chance there won’t be a review. I’ve bought several CDs from Aquarius based on their review alone and never been disappointed. I think that’s because I can trust the guys running the store, the same way I trust my favorite noncommercial radio DJs.

This isn’t a commercial for Aquarius–they’re certainly not sponsoring us (yet?). I just think it’s important to be reminded about how valuable a little informed, passionate guidance can be in discovering new music in this age of file-sharing, Pandora and Amazon.com.