Traveling Hobbyist

I Travel For Records

New Arrivals

Smith Rock Records – Bend, OR

In a city whose biggest claim to fame is the abundance of outdoor activities available, I wasn’t expecting a whole lot when it came to the vinyl collecting scene. And sure, maybe I should have been spending my time and energy shaking my tits in the sun instead of looking at potentially over-priced an uninteresting…
Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe – Bend, OR

I am ashamed to say it’s been a while since I have been into a bookstore that isn’t named Powell’s. When you are spoiled with one of the largest bookstores in the world, it can be hard to find reasons to check out smaller shops. But just like record stores, it’s not about the volume…
There is More to Life than Record Stores – August Update

When I first started this blog, I had grand plans to highlight any and every local business imaginable. If you sold or offered something unique, something that contributed to the local counter-culture in some way, I was interested in it. However, my addiction to records and flipping through square pieces of decorated cardboard for hours…
Little Axe Records – Portland, OR

Portland is home to some extremely cool shit, and since this rainy little city is relatively small, a lot of this aforementioned cool shit is right next to other extremely cool shit. This is the case with the small but mighty Little Axe Records, which shares a wall with one of the best movie theaters…

The Cost of a Vinyl Record Set up

Vinyl records have been around for a very long time, but in the last 10 years, the hobby has undergone some pretty major changes. Although the medium looked to be dying out for many years, it has recently made a massive comeback. Tons of people are just now getting into the hobby of record collecting…
Vinyl Record Storage: From the Best to the Good Enough

Once you have visited enough record stores and amassed enough records, the big question that needs answering is: How should I store vinyl records? Not only do you want to find a vinyl record storage solution that is aesthetically pleasing for your specific listening space but it also needs to protect your precious records from…
Colorados Best Record Stores: Beyond Denver

It’s easy to get sidetracked doing silly things like hiking or drinking copious amounts of microbrews when you’re in the Centennial State, but tons of amazing record stores are well worth your time between hitting the dispensaries and the ski slopes. Although Denver is very much the cultural center of the state and it has…
The Best Record Stores in the United States

There are many things that can make a record store great. The selection, the store’s place in the local music scene, and of course the people. Everyone has that special record store in their life, and I’m sure the record store you are thinking about now is indeed the best record store in the world,…