Craft Recordings and Varése Sarabande bringing essentials to Record Store Day 2023

Violent Femmes' groundbreaking 1983 eponymous debut, as well as an eagerly-awaited Travis live album and composer John Powell's 'How to Train Your Dragon 2' soundtrack featuring Sigur Rós’ Jónsi are among titles coming on Saturday, April 22, 2023

Record Store Day arrives on April 22 with music aficionados ready to arrive at their favorite area record shop in hopes of getting a limited-edition exclusive, long out-of-print rarity or favorite cult classic. It's important to note that there are two different types of titles released as part of the event; "Record Store Day Exclusives" (RSD Exclusive) are titles that are only going to be available on April 22 while "Record Store Day First" (RSD First) releases will debut on that date but will be more widely available in the future.

Craft Recordings is releasing a number of wonderful new exclusive titles as part of Record Store Day 2023. The event is coming to your favorite Record Store on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Craft Recordings is issuing a number of exciting titles. The Violent Femmes' 1983 eponymous album is widely considered one of the great debut rock albums of all time. Craft Recordings is releasing a special 40th anniversary vinyl exclusive picture disc version on Record Store Day. Among the classic cuts that sound better than ever on vinyl are "Blister in the Sun," "Add It Up," "Gone Daddy Gone" and "Kiss Off." Violent Femmes is a 1-LP release, and is limited to 6,000 copies worldwide.This marks the very first Violent Femmes picture disc – mimicking the classic cover image on Side A and the jacket’s reverse side on Side B. 

Travis is one of this writer's favorite rock bands to emerge in the 1990s. Now the Scottish troupe's The Invisible Band (Live) (2-LP; Clear Vinyl) will be released as an RSD Exclusive vinyl limited to 5,000 copies worldwide and is pressed on clear wax. This 2-LP release marks the only physical edition of The Invisible Band (Live). Recorded in Travis' hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in May 2022, the concert recording captures the group performing every song from their 2001 album The Invisible Band. Highlights on the terrific sounding set include a powerful take on the soaring "Sing," gorgeous Baroque pop reading of "Flowers In The Window," yearning "Safe" and power pop-flavored "Follow The Light." As a bonus, the physical vinyl package includes exclusive unseen tour photography from Ryan Johnston.

Varése Sarabande is releasing an expanded and collectible 2-LP, red multi-color splatter vinyl edition of the motion picture soundtrack for 2014’s How to Train Your Dragon 2. Featuring music by John Powell and Sigur Rós singer-songwriter/guitar great Jónsi. How to Train Your Dragon 2: Music from the Motion Picture is a truly exclusive version that features the film's theme song "Where No Gone Goes" (performed by Jónsi). In addition, the physical packaging features interviews with composer Powell and film director Dean DuBois. The release follows RSD's 2021 green multi-color splatter pressing of the first How to Train Your Dragon film soundtrack.

For more information on Craft Recordings and Varése Sarabande visit the label's website HERE. 

Among other promising titles set for release on April 22 are the Cranberries' Wake Up And Smell The Coffee (a RSD First available for the first time ever on vinyl), the first-ever vinyl edition of Blur's 1994 audio CD collection Blur Presents The Special Collector's Edition (a RSD Exclusive coming to vinyl), the first-ever vinyl reissue of Jonathan Richman's acclaimed 1990 LP Jonathan Goes Country. The Cowsills' The Rhythm of the World, Chet Baker's 1959 instrumental classic Chet, four titles from The Doors, Billy Joel's Live At The Great American Music Hall, Pearl Jam's Give Way and many more.

Get more information and view all of the upcoming titles coming on Record Store Day HERE.

Robert Kinsler