MacD on Music: Still The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

We’re officially into Spring (on paper. In practice it tends to vary from minute to minute), and that means two things are drawing close: WrestleMania and Record Store Day. Considering what sort of column this is, I’ll let you guess which one I’m covering today.

Record Store Day (this year happening on April 18th) is one of the biggest days for any independent record shop, and here in Derry, Cool Discs is the only place to get all those exclusive releases.

Owner Lee Mason says: “As many customers of Derry's finest record shop already know, every single week Cool Discs always have a selection of new, exclusive, limited vinyl releases and most of the time when they’re gone they’re gone.”

“Record Store Day is on another level-it’s like all weeks rolled into one day! Cool Discs was one of first record shops in Ireland to be invited to take part in RSD way back in 2008, and we’ve watched it go from strength to strength, to the point when it’s now the shops busiest day of the year.”

As is the case every year, there are hundreds of limited edition records that are pressed especially for the annual celebration of local bricks and mortar record shops, usually in exclusive colours and, in some cases, different shapes.

READ MORE: MacD on Music

Some of this year's releases include Taylor Swift, Olivia Dean, Charli XCX, CMAT, Wolf Alice, Violet Grohl (daughter of Dave), Laufey, Aurora, English Teacher, Haim , Rachel Chinouriri, Madonna, Self Esteem, Alison Goldfrapp, Adrianne Lenker, Annie Lennox, Thin Lizzy, David Bowie, George Harrison, John Lennon, Arcade Fire, Blur, Air, Ramones, Madness, Stiff Little Fingers, Steely Dan, The Doors, Talking Heads, The Stranglers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Neil Young, Joe Strumer, The Mary Wallopers, Amble, Captain Beefheart, John Prine, John Frusciante, Paramore, Primal Scream, Rory Gallagher and many, many more.

Some more information from Lee: “We know we will see some of our regular customers and familiar faces early in the morning, but we also know there will be many first time RSDers–for you, here is some general information and the rules:

• Cool Discs open 9.00am – 6.00pm
• As always, only one copy of any RSD release per customer, but no limit on how many different releases you can buy.
• Strictly first come first served.
• No phone orders/reserves.
• Please have your wish list (in writing if possible) and we will do our best to pick your selection.
• Payment can be made by card and cash.
• Many of these RSD releases are super limited. Our best advice to try and get what you want: be early!

If you are not after an RSD release, come on down and experience the buzz of the day with like minded folks. We have over 12,500 titles in our shop and there will be many even more special deals to be had this weekend.

Freebies while they last-spend £75 and you are in one of our raffles for various stuff.”

And that’s it for Record Store Day. It’s happening next Saturday (April 18th) and is always a great day for music lovers so make sure to get down to Derry’s only local record shop, Cool Discs. More information about the big day can be found on their website shop.cooldiscsmusic.com.

Now, onto other business, and there’s a lot to cover this week so let’s just get started. First up, new music from Helen O’Shea, the Limerick-born, New Jersey-based singer who has just released her new single, a cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘If U Ever’, featuring acclaimed solo-artist James Maddock and is taken from her upcoming album ‘Songs in the Key of O’ (out May 1st).

The song, from Sinéad O’Connor’s 2000 album, ‘Faith and Courage’, resonated deeply with O’Shea, who chose it as one of three O’Connor originals to feature on the album, which also features tributes to Dolores O’Riordan and a number of original songs.

Next, we have an interesting collaboration from folk singer Davie Furey and, one of the brightest young voices in Irish music, former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. The track, ‘Donegal/The Swallow’s Tail’, is Furey’s first single of 2026 and is the product of his long-time collaborative friendship with Gerry Adams. This unique project marks Gerry Adams’ first musical appearance as he follows the politician-turned-musician path recently undertaken by former President Michael D. Higgins (who’s debut album ‘Against All Certainty’ is available now in Cool Discs).

The track is out on April 10th and is available for pre-order now.

Next, the final single from Seán Feeny’s debut album ‘Galactic Tides’ (out now), ‘Tír Mór’. “For generations of islanders, and indeed for countless Irish families, the Tír Mór (‘Big Land’ or mainland) has represented opportunity, necessity, and separation. It is the place people are pulled toward for work, often at the cost of distance from home, heritage and community”.

The track is out now and features a video directed by Charlie Joe Doherty.

Okay, I’m running out of space here so I’m going to rush through these last two. Donegal-based band Build Trap have recently released their debut EP ‘We Are Not Bad People’. It’s out now on all good streaming services.

Last up, Growing Pains, who will be playing their second Nerve Centre headliner this Friday (11th April) with support from brand new bands Être and Aero. Tickets are £5 and available at stcolumbschoolofmusic.com.

Finally, time for the socials. Growing Pains can be found on Instagram @growingpains.derry, Build Trap @build_trap, Seán Feeny @seanfeenymusic_, Davie Furey @daviefureymusic, Gerry Adams @gerry.adms.sf, Helen O’Shea @helenosheamusic and Cool Discs @cooldiscs.