It's hard to know where the modern day record store would be without Tortoise, the Chicago five-piece band that for over three decades has been making perfect sense out of everything in the farthest-off corners of the vinyl bins. Think of the records you usually have to lie on the floor for, or crawl a ladder to reach at shops. Across nine albums, Tortoise have reconciled the erratic contents of these slabs into joyous syncopation. Funky jazz fusion meets noirish soundtracks via avant-garde prompts, with results ranging from trance-like minimalism and post-modern pop-art abstraction, to zonked takes on dub, boom-bap, IDM and even glam rock. Vibraphones, check. It makes sense to them, it makes sense to us, but in recent years, it's been less and less common to hear new music from the group, even as all the members have stayed quite busy with other projects, and as the band's name continues to ring out amongst generations of heads far more often than most acts founded in the year 1990.This month, October 24 to be precise,Tortoise releases 'Touch', their first studio album in nine years, and we are beyond stoked to hear it. Somehow, International anthem and Nonesuch knew this was the case, and have offered us a sneak peek listen to the album a whole week early, on Saturday, Oct. 18. We will be playing the entire record starting at 4PM, during which time attendees will be allowed to purchase the new LP and CD a full seven days ahead of street date. Can you believe that? A week. This is truly a rare level of exclusivity, but, then again, its Tortoise dude. Join us Saturday for a special session!

Come hang out with Stephen Day and hear him sing a couple songs acoustically.

Stephen is in town playing The Sylvee at 7PM supporting KALEO on their Mixed Emotions Tour.

Get your Fall Haul on! Thrift by the volume will rule the day. We’ll start selling outside at 9AM.

Bargain product includes 5,000+ LPs, 2,500+ CDs and 1,000+ 7”s with prices at:

$2 LPs
$1 CDs
50 cent 7”s

Whether you’re a first-timer or a savvy thriftin’ vet of our Monroe Street Festival spreads, we’ve got something new this year…the Rocks Box:

For $100, we’ll provide you a 16’ X 12’ X 12’ Rocks Box to fill to your heart’s content with all bargain product. These boxes can typically hold 100 LPs so you’ll be saving 50% off the above bargain product prices.

Back by last year’s popular demand, we’ll also again be trotting out some $5/$10/$15 used LPs and marked down new CDs and LP/CD box sets.

Accepting cash or credit. The more you buy, the less our Dad bods will hurt Sunday.

And if thriftin’ ain’t your thing, the shop will be open inside at 10 AM per usual.

The whole block is getting down with deals. Bring the crew, roll deep and check out our neighbors!

If nothing else, Madison’s world-famous Wienermobile will be across the street. Snag those wiener whistles while you can.

Calling The Clique! Exclusive picture disc variants for party people. No online preorders. No holds.

This will be a banger with 5 picture disc variants of the Breach album available to preorder only by attending this early listening party. See the info link to our Instagram to see pic disc art!

Entry is free but we require an RSVP response, as we expect overwhelming demand for attendance and to order the picture disc variants. RSVP link here. We will likely need to cap attendance so please respond ASAP.

The indie exclusive blue smoke variant is available now to pre-order at shop.strictlydiscs.com. All orders of the Breach LP will be available for pickup starting on Friday, 9/12.

Come hang Friday, 8/22 at 5 PM to hear the new album Private Music in full.

Grand prize drawing: Test Pressing LP (!)
Merch prize drawing: 3 Event Exclusive Shirts

Free Giveaways:
Event Posters
Laminates / Lanyards
Door Hangers

We got a sneak peek full listen to Private Music in NOLA at the @recordstoredayus convention a few weeks back thanks to our pals @billysezvinyl and Ross at @warnermusic. We think you’ll love it. Very much it’s own album but if we had to play that game, we’ll go with a melodic continuation of Ohms along with a return of the heaviness & riff pace last heard on White Pony, Self-Titled and Saturday Night Wrist.

No RSVPs necessary. Come pack the shop.

For those watching the clock at the daily grind or fighting rush hour traffic, we’ll be sure to give it a few spins. But you must be present to win the giveaway drawings around 5:45/6ish.

Preorders up for the indy exclusive alternative cover on white vinyl at strictlydiscs.com

Come hang and get an early listen to his new album Wishbone on Wednesday, August 13 from 5-6.

We’ve got posters for all and one Wishbone hat to giveaway. No purchase necessary. Must be in attendance to win the drawing.

We’re coming to the Big Gig to sling some new & fresh-used vinyl. Pals can get a dig in our tent or digitally browse our inventory. Get your wax shipped or take it with you at checkout. We’ll also be getting the word out on the Strictly Record Club and (of course) spinning some vibetastic records.

Our spot is located just outside the South Market near the amphitheater and BMO Pavilion.

We’ll be open each day from Noon - 11:30. Peep the lineup, gigs that have us pumped and more info below:

As they tour their new album ‘oh brother’ (including their memorable Randy Newman cover 'I Love L.A.' at the 2025 Grammys), Dawes will stop in upstairs to strum a few tunes, take fan photos & sign some LPs before ducking out to play their sold out show at The Majestic. Entry is free but inside/upstairs capacity is limited to 50. Overflow crowds to line up on Monroe and Harrison Streets for amplified sound and window viewing. Each RSVP is limited to a +1 for a total of two guests. We’ll do our best to shuffle pals in and out for a pic and/or LP signing if we can’t get inside for the set.

We invite you to celebrate the release of Howlong, by Black Country, New Road. The album is set to release on Friday, April 4, 2025. Attendees can purchase the album a full day earlier than release date.

We will have a limited supply of autographed copies of the indie-exclusive version of the album.

We're also offering fans the chance to take home a value bundle, offered first come first serve that includes Black Country, New Road branded, Crayons, Pencil case, Notebooks, Totes and Color-in paper.

Elevate your happy hour with Muse at MMoCA, where art, music, and mixology converge in an unforgettable experience. Our GM Evan vibes the space into a living canvas with curated music inspired by the exhibitions. Admission is free and MMoCA Members at the student level and above receive drink discounts all night.