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Record Store Day 2025

If you love vinyl and discovering exclusive releases, then Record Store Day (RSD) is basically Christmas for music lovers! This annual event celebrates independent record stores worldwide, and here in Australia, it’s a massive day for collectors, casual diggers, and audiophiles alike.

What is Record Store Day?

Record Store Day started in 2008 as a way to support independent music retailers and has since grown into a global phenomenon. Every year, on a special Saturday (this year’s date is April 12, 2025), record stores across Australia join in with live music, exclusive vinyl releases, discounts, and special events. Major artists and labels press limited-edition records just for the occasion, making it a must for collectors hunting rare and unique vinyl.

How Can You Get Involved?

  • Visit Your Local Record Store aka us – Stores all over Australia, including us, participate in RSD with special stock and in-store events.
  • Snag Some Limited Releases – These records often sell out fast, so if you’ve got your eye on something special, arrive early!
  • Support Independent Music – Buying records from your local indie store keeps the music culture alive and thriving.
  • Follow the Hype Online – Stay updated on social media and check the official Record Store Day Australia website for release lists and participating stores.

The rules:

  • No holds allowed
  • No preorders prior to the day
  • First in first served – so get in line early!
  • One title per person but as many titles as you like

We’re getting ready for an epic Record Store Day here at Beatniks Records, with exclusive RSD vinyl, in-store specials, and maybe even a few surprises! Stay tuned to our Instagram and Facebook for updates—this is one day you don’t want to miss.

Mark your calendar, start your wishlist, and we’ll see you on April 12 for the ultimate vinyl celebration!  To see what’s available check out the list here – RSD 2025 | RECORD STORE DAY

Discover the Perfect Soundtrack: Why Your Collection Deserves a Refresh!

Is it time to add a fresh spin to your music collection? Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just dipping your toes into vinyl, we’re here to help you find the perfect sound. At Beatniks Records, we’ve got everything from the latest releases to rare treasures and must-have classics.

Why Buy Vinyl?
There’s something magical about vinyl’s warm, full sound that digital just can’t match. Plus, flipping through records brings a tactile joy you won’t find in a playlist. And with the right equipment—whether a sleek turntable or upgraded speakers—the listening experience only gets better.

Explore New Releases and Beloved Classics
From Taylor Swift’s latest hits to timeless albums by The Beatles, our catalog is stocked with fan favorites across genres. Browse online or come visit our Burleigh Heads store and find something that resonates with your taste.

Upgrade Your Sound System
Ready for an audio upgrade? Explore our selection of turntables, amplifiers, and speakers. Whether you need a starter setup or an audiophile-quality boost, we’ve got you covered. Great sound makes every listening session feel like a private concert.

Grab a Gift for the Music Lover in Your Life
From unique vinyl to essential accessories like cleaning kits, Beatniks has the perfect gifts for music lovers. Vinyl collecting is a passion meant to be shared, and we’re here to help you find something special.

Rediscover the joy of music with us, right here at Beatniks Records. Explore online or pop by the store to find your next favourite record!

Ultimate Gift Guide for Vinyl Lovers: Find the Perfect Groove at Beatniks Records!

Whether you’re shopping for a vinyl veteran or someone just discovering the magic of records, Beatniks Records has something unique for everyone. Check out our top picks that’ll make you the hero of the gift-giving season! 

 1. **Classic Rock Essentials** 🎸 

You can’t go wrong with the classics. We’ve got everything from *AC/DC* to *Pink Floyd* Perfect for rock lovers and those who want to feel the golden age of music spin on their turntables!

 2. **For the New Collectors** 📀 

If you know someone just getting into vinyl, consider starter albums by The Beatles or Taylor Swift. These albums are timeless, accessible, and are a great start to any collection.

3. **Audio Equipment** 🔊 

Golden points for gifting high-quality audio gear.  We offer everything from turntables to full audio setups to suit all budgets.  It’s a treat for any vinyl lover who dreams of audiophile sound quality.

 4. **Rare Finds for Serious Collectors** 💎 

Know someone who’s hard to impress? Browse our rare and high-value records to find the perfect treasure for the collector in your life. These gems come with a little bit of history, a lot of character, and instant bragging rights.

5. **Vinyl Cleaning Kits and Maintenance Services** 🧼 

Vinyl records need love to stay pristine, so why not gift a cleaning kit or book a maintenance session? It’s practical, thoughtful, and ensures they’ll be spinning smoothly all year long.

6. **CDs & Cassettes for a Trip Down Memory Lane** 📼 

For those nostalgic souls or retro collectors, our selection of CDs and cassettes can be a great blast from the past. It’s a fun way to remember the days before streaming ruled the world and having a physical copy in your hot little hands.

 7. **Music-Themed Artwork** 🎨 

Vinyl lovers often have a soft spot for music-inspired art. Check out our selection of music-themed paintings to help your loved ones bring a little of that vinyl magic to their walls.

  1. **Ask us for a recommendation** 🤓

Give us an idea of what type of music you’ve been listening to and we’ll give you a recommendation of something else we think you might like.  It’s like a lucky dip you can already see!

Whatever you choose, we’re here to help you make it memorable! Come visit us at our Burleigh Heads store, or shop online to find the perfect gift today.

Record Store Day Black Friday 29 November 2024 – what to expect

With Record Store Day Black Friday around the corner, we thought we’d run through the details of what it is and what to expect.

What’s Record Store Day Black Friday?

Record Store Day (RSD) Black Friday is a global event where independent record stores worldwide join together to offer exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases and special deals. Originally launched in the U.S. as a companion event to the annual April Record Store Day, it quickly became a hit with collectors looking for rare and exclusive items. Each year, on the Friday following Thanksgiving, RSD Black Friday brings out some of the most anticipated releases, reissues, and hard-to-find records — a treasure trove for vinyl fans!

What can we expect here in Australia?

Australian record stores participate fully, giving you access to most of the international releases and some Australia-specific gems. Here’s what’s in store for this year’s Record Store Day Black Friday:

Exclusive Releases: Major artists release special editions and reissues, with limited runs and unique packaging. You might see offerings from artists like MF Doom, Billie Eilish, Motley Crue, Garbage and more. Stock may differ slightly from what’s available in US.

Limited Stock: Each exclusive release is produced in limited quantities, meaning once it’s gone, it’s gone! So, if you see something you love, snap it up quickly.

Support for Local Record Stores: Shopping on RSD Black Friday isn’t just about scoring rare vinyl; it’s about supporting local, independent stores like ours. We’re here to bring you great music, personalized service, and a place to share your love of vinyl.

Join us on Friday, 29 November 2024, in-store to take part in the RSD Black Friday experience. Make sure you check out the list prior to the day and leave us a comment if you are after anything specific.

Happy collecting, and we’ll see you on RSD Black Friday! Remember we are now up and running in our new Burleigh Heads location – Big B Arcade, 6 West Street.

City of Souls – Synaesthesia

Through the midst of Covid in 2020 (remember that?!…crazy times) came this epic 16 song album from New Zealand band City of Souls. As the exclusive Australian retailer, we absolutely thrashed this album through the pandemic and in our humble opinion it’s a masterpiece.

Beautiful lush choruses, heavy riffs and mad production, courtesy of Forrester Savell makes this album still one of our favourites.

If you’re a fan of Karnivool, Cog, Tesseract and missed this release, you got to check it out because this on is for you.

Track Listing

A1 Lifeblood 4:37
A2 Ferryman 4:35
A3 Whispers 3:47
A4 Cruelty 3:56
B1 Shimmer 4:47
B2 Wolf 3:47
B3 White Ghost 4:36
B4 Sleep 4:13
C1 Water 4:18
C2 Long Gone 4:26
C3 Tying Tongues 4:31
C4 Brush Strokes 4:01
D1 L W T U A
Written By – Joy Division
4:02
D2 Mountain 4:48
D3 Iron Heart 3:28
D4 Synæsthesia

Available at your local Gold Coast music store #beatniks records – https://beatniksrecords.com.au/product/8cbd69a5-e76d-ee4a-bd4f-6f56c8e11523/

Close-up shot of a spinning vinyl record on a turntable. The grooves on the vinyl are clearly visible, and the image has a slightly blurred background, giving prominence to the rotating disc.

How are Vinyl Records made?

Ever wondered how a vinyl record is made?  It’s more of an in-depth process than you may think.

It all begins with a master recording, the best representation of the music to be pressed onto vinyl.  This master can come from various sources, including analog tape recordings or high-resolution digital files.  Regardless of the source, the goal is the same – to capture the essence and fidelity of the music in its purest form.

The next step is the cutting of the master disc, a process preformed by skilled engineers using a lathe.  The master disc is typically made of aluminum coated with soft lacquer.  The audio signal from the master recording is fed into the cutting head of the lathe, which etches a spiral groove onto the lacquer-coated surface.  This groove contains the analog waveform of the music with variations in depth and width corresponding to the audio signal’s amplitude and frequency.

Once the master disc is ready, it serves as a template for creating the stampers – the metal plates used to press the vinyl records first.  First, the lacquer-coated master disc undergoes a series of electroplating baths, where it is coated with layers of metal, typically nickel. The resulting metal disc, known as the “mother,” is then peeled away from the lacquer, leaving a negative impression of the groove pattern.

This negative impression is used to create a positive metal stamper through additional electroplating. The stamper, with its raised groove pattern, is a precise replica of the original master disc and serves as the mold for pressing vinyl records.

Have we lost you yet????  Because here comes the fun part…

With stampers in hand, the pressing stage begins. Vinyl pellets are heated and compressed. The excess vinyl is trimmed away, leaving behind a raw, untrimmed slab known as a “biscuit.”

Labels are put between the two stampers, then squished causing the grooves to be imprinted onto the vinyl disc.

The records are trimmed to size. Quality control checks ensure that each record meets the highest standards of fidelity and durability.

Once the vinyl records are pressed and inspected, they are ready for packaging. This often involves placing them in cardboard jackets or sleeves adorned with artwork and information about the album and artist. From there, the records are distributed to retailers or directly to consumers, ready to be enjoyed on turntables around the world.

In an era dominated by digital convenience, vinyl records offer a tangible connection to the music.  Theres lots to love about vinyl records, not just the quality of the sound but the creative process it has taken to end up on your turntable.

If you’re interested in knowing more check out:

Suitcase Records (@suitcaserecords) • Instagram photos and videos

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Where to Find Us

Shop 7, Big B Arcade, 6 West Street
Burleigh Heads QLD 4220.

Monday - Friday 09:30 - 5PM
Saturday 09:30 - 4PM Sunday 10 - 3pm

Black and white logo featuring a large phonograph surrounded by children holding hands. Below is the text "#beatniks" with "Records | Turntables | Revolution" beneath it, emphasizing rare and collectable vinyl records on the Gold Coast.

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