Lila Miller, A&E Editor
The bi-annual Savannah Record Dig made another appearance this past weekend on Desoto Row and 40th Streets in the Starland District. The event was sponsored by Art Rise of Savannah and featured over 40 vendors, various artists, a food truck and live music.
The Savannah Record Dig brings vinyl vendors and record lovers across the southeast region together for an open-air, outdoor marketplace for a shopping experience that is a change of pace from retail storefronts.
Record vendors from South Carolina, Middle Georgia, South Florida and local shops Graveface Records and Rody’s Records were among the tents that lined Desoto Row. Both young and old vinyl lovers crowded the tents, searching for rare pressings of popular albums, b-sides, special edition colored records and elusive, difficult to find albums from years past.
One crate digger was pleased to find one of a shoegaze band’s album from the 90s.
“I just found ‘Souvlaki’ by Slowdive for $11. It’s worth searching in the sun to find stuff like this because if you can find it at all, it won’t be this cheap. I also got some Patsy Cline cassettes for $3. I’m really glad I came out,” said Leanna Maxwell, a master’s student studying Library Sciences.
While most record vendors drove hours for the event, local stores Graveface Records and Rody’s Records had tables representing Savannah. Rody’s had several tables advertising their wares, while Graveface’s location next to Desoto Row allowed visitors to peruse their table at the event as well as their brick-and-mortar store on 40th Street.
Local DJs Doc Ock and DJ Snakes also played music and emceed the event. They mixed records using turntables before, during and after the event.
Local band Rude Dude and the Creek Freaks, psychedelic surf-rock, played first and roused the crowd with their danceable, high-tempo music. Following their act, local experimental rock and metal instrument band, Hotplate, also played.
The dig also featured a pop-up art exhibition. “The Fool: Past, Present and Future” was stationed at the head of Desoto Row. Housed within a truck trailer, the exhibition featured both local and traveling artists. Mediums ranged from pottery to photography and paintings, but the subject matter remained the same. The works represented how artists interpreted Tarot card “The Fool” in flux.
The Psycho Circus food truck was also on site to serve hungry event goers. Psycho Circus food truck is a Wilmington Island-based operation featuring various foods one would associate with circuses, like carney grilled cheeses, psycho balls and psycho nachos. They focus on southern fare with a chaotic and sometimes spicy element. The vendors themselves are often seen wearing grotesque costumes and facepaint, but the food is nothing to be afraid of.
Overall, the Savannah Record Dig offered something for all musical preferences. For record aficionados, the next record dig will be held in the fall. Can’t wait? Record Store Day will be held Saturday, April 22, where both Graveface and Rody’s Records will be participating. Happy listening.
