Not only does Cactus have the deepest vinyl and CD inventory of any independent music store in the city, but it has an overflowing in-store performance calendar that regularly features local, regional and national acts – including CHVRCHES, Cage the Elephant, Monte Pittman, The Tontons, Los Lonely Boys, Girl in a Coma and Wild Moccasins, to name just a few. Cactus Music has been an integral part of the Houston indie music and arts community for over 30 years an arts scene considered so dynamic it was cited among the reasons Forbes named Houston “America’s Coolest City” and the “Best City in America.” And as the oldest and largest independent music store in Houston, Cactus is considered by many to be the flagship of the city’s local music scene. When discussing the unique culture that surrounds independent record stores, Houston’s own Cactus Music is the brick and mortar embodiment of the indie record store ideals. This Saturday there will be more than 500 exclusive RSD releases available worldwide with official participating stores on every continent, but Antarctica. During the first Record Store Day in 2008, there were 10 special edition releases available at the 300 stores that participated in the US and Great Britain. This support helped RSD grow into an international event in just seven years. Many artists create special edition vinyl and CD releases for RSD, as well as make special-appearances at participating stores for meet-and-greets, in-store performances, autograph sessions, and guest DJ spots. Record Store Day has been enthusiastically embraced by the recording industry, along with independent record stores and their customers. As befits a day created to fête the spirit of individualism, each participating retailer throws its own RSD celebration complete with events, entertainment and those special edition offerings that are reflective of its store culture and community. From an idea hatched during a 2007 record-store owners’ meeting, RSD has become a worldwide celebration featuring exclusive, special edition vinyl and CD releases, in-store appearances, and more. This Saturday is the seventh annual Record Store Day (RSD) – a day dedicated to celebrating the unique culture of independent record stores and the music they work so tirelessly to bring us. To mark its approach, Fourculture is spotlighting the unique culture at three remarkable independent record stores, the plans each has for Record Store Day on April 19, 2014, and the music that brought us all together.

Cactus music directions