][1]Tomorrow is Record Store Day and Edinburgh brewer Barney’s has teamed up with the indie record label Song by Toad to mark the day in an unusual way.
While most of us wouldn’t hesitate to pay £12 for a round of beer, we are increasingly reluctant to fork out a similar sum for a physical record. Remember them? Black, shiny, round things which stored music?
Beer Vs Records aims to explore the phenomena.
Red vinyl
Tomorrow, Song by Toad is releasing eight songs on a limited run of 250 clear red vinyl records. Featuring Le Thug, Magic Eye, Plastic Animals and Zed Penguin, the vinyl comes in a beautiful sleeve featuring photos of the recording session taken by talented local photographer Nic Rue.
Tasty beer
Simultaneously, the label will be releasing another eight songs as download codes on bottles of Barney’s Beer. Two songs per bottle, each one of a limited edition of 250 custom made 4-packs will represent the same amount of music as the record, only delivered on a selection of tasty, tasty beer.
The question is, who will sell out first? It’s Beer Vs Records.
Do people want a lasting memento of their love of music, and do they treasure the ritual of playing beautiful vinyl, or is the song itself simply enough, and would they prefer the transient pleasure of fine beer and tunes on their mp3 player?
Live music
A gig at Edinburgh’s Summerhall tomorrow evening will feature all four of the bands. Songs by Toad has written about the experiment in greater length in this Scotsman piece.