Your local music economy is under threat from unreliable distribution controlled by the major labels. This makes it hard for local record stores to stock the stuff you want, negatively impacting their businesses while also taking money out of the pockets of artists.

Three major labels control some 70% of the global music industry. In America, all Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group releases are distributed by Direct Shot. Since April 2019, Direct Shot has failed to adequately supply retailers, meaning the records you want may not be available in stores on release day.

Local record stores (and even big-box retailers as well as Amazon) are not able to stock wide swaths of the most in-demand titles, hurting local businesses (because who else besides independent records stores really stocks a comprehensive selection of music these days?) and making artists lose money.

Sure, you can stream it, but buying physical products is the best way to support the artists you love, ensuring they can continue to make the music that moves us all.

And when you buy local, more money stays in your local community. Dollars spent locally create jobs and expand your city’s tax base.

As the English electronic group The Black Dog highlights on their band shirts: “One T-shirt is the equivalent to 6,500 streams on Spotify. 76% of all music in 2019 is streamed and not bought physically or digitally. Band merchandise is the most direct way of supporting an artist.”

The best way to keep local music institutions alive and support your music community is to buy music from local record stores. And if they don’t have what you want in stock, understand that it’s likely not their fault. Is it possible that the corporate powers that be are squeezing out the little guys who cater to our culture?

So ask yourself: Do you want independent music retailers in your city?

If you answered YES! Please sign this petition, then get off your screen and go experience one in your neighborhood. We recommend the following independent record stores who are united in their pledge to support local artists and music economies.

Arizona

• Zia Record Exchange

California

• Amoeba Music
• CD Trader
• Lou’s Records
• Rasputin Music Chain
• Rhino Records/Mad Platter
• Salzer's Records

Colorado

• Independent Records
• Twist and Shout

Connecticut

• Newbury Comics

Florida

• Central Square Records
• Park Avenue CDs

Idaho

• The Record Exchange

Illinois

• Reckless Records

Indiana

• Indy CD and Vinyl
• Wooden Nickel Records

Iowa

• Weird Harold's Records

Maine

• Bull Moose
• Newbury Comics

Maryland

• The Sound Garden

Massachusettes

• Newbury Comics

Michigan

• Dearborn Music

Minnesota

• Down In The Valley
• Electric Fetus
• Rock Paper Scissors Goods

Missouri

• Josey Records

Nebraska

• Homer's Music

Nevada

• Zia Record Exchange

New Hampshire

• Bull Moose
• Newbury Comics

New Jersey

• Tunes Music
• Vintage Vinyl

New York

• Looney Tunes
• Newbury Comics
• Rough Trade
• The Sound Garden

North Carolina

• Schoolkids Records

Ohio

• Magnolia Thunderpussy
• Omega Music

Oklahoma

• Josey Records

Oregon

• Everyday Music
• Exiled Records
• House of Records
• Jackpot Records
• Music Millennium

Pennsylvania

• Young Ones Records

Rhode Island

• Newbury Comics

South Carolina

• Monster Music & Movies

Texas

• Cactus Music
• Josey Records
• Waterloo Records

Utah

• Graywhale Entertainment

Vermont

• Pure Pop

Virginia

• Plan 9 Music

Washington

• Easy Street Records
• Everyday Music
• Silver Platters

Wisconsin

• Strictly Discs

 

Further reading on this issue:

• Hypebot: Indie Stores Are Being ‘Strangled’ By Major Label Distribution: ‘Things are a complete mess.’ (June 7, 2019)
• Billboard: An Open Letter to the Majors From Independent Record Stores (July 16, 2019); republished here
• Billboard: 'An Endless Fiasco': Indie Retailers Describe Worsening Breakdown in Getting CDs, Vinyl Delivered to Record Stores (July 16, 2019)
• Forbes: The Music Industry's Physical Product Problems May Signal An Upheaval In The Making (July 21, 2019)
• Billboard: Tegan and Sara Shut Down Warner Records Merch Site Due to 'Unacceptable' Backlog: 'We Have Lost Faith' (Nov. 7, 2019)
• Your Morning Coffee: Can Music Stores, Indie Labels Survive The Big Distribution Debacle? (Nov. 21, 2019)
• The Future of What: Direct Shot’s Ambiguous Future (Nov. 22, 2019)
• Music Business Association: An Update on the Direct Shot Distribution Crisis Ahead of the Holiday Season (Nov. 26, 2019)
• Vortex Music Magazine: Pledge to Support Record Stores and Artists This Holiday Season (Dec. 12, 2019)
• Billboard: 'It's a Total Nightmare': Problems at Direct Shot Distributing Have Made New Vinyl and CDs Scarce (Dec. 19, 2019)
• Pitchfork: A Major Music Distributor Has Stifled Vinyl Sales for Record Stores and Indie Labels, Sources Say (Dec. 19, 2019)

Above photo: Music Millennium in Portland, Ore., by John Alcala

In support of independent music everywhere, this pledge is spearheaded by Vortex Music Magazine​, MusicPortland and Music Millennium