Sweat Records, Kenny Millions, and Holly Hunt Talk Sweatstock 2013 and Saving Record Stores

Skeptics predict the local music shop is going extinct like the penny arcade.

But for the last six years, so-called "independently owned, stand-alone brick-and-mortar retailers" around the U.S. (and the world) have been banding together under the Record Store Day banner to, paraphrasing the immortal Beastie Boys, fight for their right to exist.

Since 2010, Little Haiti music shop and hangout Sweat Records has been leading the local struggle with Sweatstock, an annual one-day music festival and RSD blowout celebrating vintage vinyl, limited-edition CDs, indie music, artisinal grub, and free fun.

See also:

-Sweatstock 2012: Jesse Jackson, Arboles Libres, The State Of

-Sweatstock 2013's Full Lineup and Set Times

Now in its fourth year, Sweat's fest and the shop itself don't seem to be on the endangered list. So we decided to ask a bunch of the major players if the inevitable extinction of the local music shop is all bullshit.

Lauren "Lolo" Reskin

Owner and founder of Sweat Records

When we at New Times snickeringly ask, "c'mon, does the world really needs vinyl anymore?," Lolo's quick and simple answer is a nicer version of "yes, dumbass." She shoots back: "Does the world really need books anymore? There are still millions of people that would argue yes, and it's the same way for vinyl."

OK, so how about record stores like Sweat? Who needs 'em? "Anyone who has followed us throughout the years knows that we are not just a record store," Reskin points out. "We're one of the only all-ages event spaces in town, we're a vegan-friendly coffee bar, a meeting place, and we've created tons of resources for the local arts scene like SweatShopMiami.com."

And just maybe, she says, that's the way for music shops to stave off permanent eradication. "There are still a few stores around the world who can get by purely on sales. But most of the smaller ones that are thriving have had the smarts to become more of a community space and less of a strictly retail establishment."

Kenny Millions

AKA DJ Fucked Up

Unlike Lolo, Mr. Kenny "Fucking" Millions isn't as upbeat. "I'm only optimistic about tits and ass in the music world and once again who gives a shit about the future of anything."

As a former Motown session player and NYC free-jazz scene guy, you'd think Kenny would be alarmed by the rapid disappearance of so many brick-and-mortar record stores. But these days, he's all about fucking with (and fucking up) saxophones and blowup dolls. So his only response is "who gives a shit."

And though he dismisses most of our inquiries as "dumb fucking questions," Mr. Millions admits that Sweat Records and Sweatstock are still unshitty places where "lonely cocksuckers will hear some freaking great music for free and maybe meet someone who will give them some head."

Holly Hunt

Metal monsters Beatriz Monteavaro and Gavin Perry

Now despite being a couple of brooding, heavy-music behemoths, Betty and Gavin do "give a shit about the future of anything," including local music shops.

In fact, Mr. Perry even believes that "there has been a shift from the big box music store to the smaller curated record store. Be it nostalgia, convenience, or aesthetic choice, I see many more artists seeking to release their music in the 'antiquated' modes of vinyl and tape." And that kind of trend is heartening news because, as Betty says, "a city isn't a real music city without at least one awesome venue and one awesome record store. Without Churchill's and Sweat, it would be nearly impossible to sustain a scene here."

Plus, she adds: "If you care about music, you should care about record stores. If you are anti-corporate, you should care about record stores." Wanting to lighten the mood, though, Gavin reminds us that Sweatstock's a freaking party, man. "This isn't about the survival of music shops. Why be so cynical? What will people get at Sweatstock? Free entertainment!"

Sweatstock 2013. Saturday, April 20. Sweat Records, 5505 NE Second Ave., Miami, and Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The show starts at 2 p.m. and it's free. Visit sweatrecordsmiami.com.

Follow Crossfade on Facebook and Twitter @Crossfade_SFL.