Black Friday has always marked the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Traditionally, Black Friday has been about super-cheap prices on mass-produced goods and primarily takes place in malls and big box stores. But we really like the idea of a shopping season, especially when at its heart, a way to show the people you like that you like them. (And a way for them to show you, too. Gift-GETTING is also awesome!). And shopping at an independently owned business is like a gift unto itself. So we created RSD Black Friday.

We work year-round to shine a light on the independent businesses in your local community, the special kind that sells things that make you happy, make you smile, make you sing, bring you comfort, bring people together. Everything you find in a record store would make a great gift for someone, and it may feel a little extra nice to wrap up and give (or get!) a little something knowing its purchase helps a local, independent store.

There are artists, labels, managers and distribution companies who feel the same, and we’ve put together a list of titles for the gift-giving season that will be available at participating record stores. They come out on RSD Black Friday (this year 11/27) but may be available at record stores throughout the rest of the year, because record stores are the best place to go with a Holiday Wish List.

Record Store Day and RSD Black Friday are different events, and you can find out more about that on the RSD BLACK FRIDAY FAQ

There are three categories on our List:

EXCLUSIVES: These titles are physically released only at indie record stores.

RSD FIRST: These titles are found first at indie record stores but may be released to other retailers or webstores at some point in the future.

SMALL RUN/REGIONAL TITLES: These titles are either regionally based and sold at specific stores, or are press runs under 1000, which means they may be harder to find at record stores around the country. (If a title is regionally based and is not available throughout the country, it will say that in the description. The majority of titles on this section of the List are there because they have a limited run.)