Record Store Day and its fall counterpart, Back to Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving) are days that labels release limited-quantity vinyl (and sometimes CD) editions of records for customers to place on the non-virtual checkout counter.  In other words, you have to get up and get to a record store to participate.

This month, Random Rab takes his brand new live act on the road to hubs in the Midwest and on the east coast. A staple of the west coast, transformational circuit, Rab’s latest album Release has rocketed to the top 5 in the iTunes electronic charts, and opened up the rest of the country to his new sound.

Love Crushed Velvet has released their new EP, Delusions, today! Mixed by Mark Needham (Blondie, Fleetwood Mac, The Killers), the album channels emotional turmoil through muscular, postpunk aggression, showing off exceptional emotional and stylistic range. The album is now available on iTunes, here: bit.ly/1b9OHxq.  You can also check

Elephant Revival will ring in 2014 riding a sleighful of accolades for their new album, THESE CHANGING SKIES, which they’ll celebrate with five special holiday-season appearances. The album, released Sept. 3, debuted at No. 8 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart and reached No. 14 on the Americana Music Association’s airplay chart, and earned them comparisons to genre favorites Alison Krauss and the Punch Brothers.The Colorado-based quintet will perform a Dec. 28 show at Stargazers Theatre in Colorado Springs, followed by Dec. 30 and 31 shows at the State Room in Salt Lake City and Jan.

Hard Working Americans, the new ensemble featuring veteran musicians Todd Snider, Dave Schools (Widespread Panic), Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood), Chad Staehly (Great American Taxi) and Duane Trucks (Col. Bruce Hampton), has announced dates for their first-ever tour to hit select cities. Hard Working Americans’ self-titled debut album will be released on January 21 via Melvin Records/Thirty Tigers.

Once again, Dark Star Orchestra kicks off the New Year in the cold reaches of the Upper Midwest, starting Winter Tour 2014 in Minneapolis before winding its way south with stops in Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Charlotte and Atlanta to name a few, until wrapping up with four nights in Florida.

Freedom Is, written and recorded by Sophistafunk and produced by Jocko Randall at MoreSound Studios in Syracuse, NY, is driven by contrasting tones and texture, recreating the experience of being at one of the band's electrifying live shows. Instantly pulsing from powerful to smooth, the sound is raw, authentic and groovy. The music reflects the bands deep commitment to vintage keys, analog synth and scorching solos which are anchored by deep-pocket hip hop drums and fat funky bass lines.

Award-winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley will represent country music while crossing genres tomorrow on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Even the most in-depth exploration of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Fantasy Records catalog wouldn’t necessarily reveal that they hailed from the Bay Area. Their glorious brand of stripped-down roots rock seemed to emanate straight from the murky swamps of Louisiana and smoky juke joints dotting the outskirts of Memphis, with a fierce musical attack that was raw and primal.

Watch Phish Live from Hampton Coliseum this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at LivePhish.com starting at 7PM EDT. Order a three night pass for $39.99 or buy single night passes for $14.99 each. Webcast+T-Shirt Bundles and Webcast+MP3 Bundles are also available.