Obsession Records

Obsession Records in Anchorage is shaped by distance, local collections, and a steady mix of travelers, military families, and Alaska music history. The shop buys used records regularly, cleans used vinyl before it goes out, and can sometimes pick up collections when needed.

Interview with Obsession Records

Running a record store in Anchorage is a different job than running one in the Lower 48. What's the part outsiders never guess?

Well, we've only ever run a store here in Anchorage which is where Steve and I were raised. But we've developed relationships with other store owners in different states/countries and love to "talk shop".

Alaska has some unique challenges because we're so far distant from the contiguous US; shipping can take longer, we're not always "recognized" as part of the United States, etc. Something that people don't always know about us is that we're an international city with a very strong military presence so there's always people from other states and even countries moving through and they leave their mark.

Additionally Anchorage has had, on and off through the years, a vibrant music scene with very creative artists. That's still true today. We really love to hear our travelers remark on a unique and/or rare record they've found in our store, maybe it's something they've been searching for for years and they found it in our tiny store in Anchorage Alaska! They walk away thrilled.

How does stock even get to you - and does distance change what you decide is worth carrying?

We buy used records from our locals on a daily basis. People are always downsizing, dealing with estates, moving, etc so we never seem to lack for new used product which we appreciate.

For our new stock we have accounts with many different distributors. The cost of shipping can be higher for us here in Alaska so we try to partner with companies that are willing to help with shipping but that's not always possible.

And I wouldn't say distance decides what we carry but it can influence how much we might carry at any one time, if that makes sense. Distance can factor into when we receive items. Many times we'll receive stock a week after the release date due to shipping times. I would say our customers influence what we carry.

What do Anchorage collectors hunt for? Is there an Alaska taste?

I suspect Anchorage collectors are no different than anywhere else, we've got lovers of jazz, current rock/pop/metal, lovers of the weird and rare. Everyone has either developed a certain "path" over the years if they've been doing this for a while or they're in the middle of finding out what that path might look like.

Lovers of music for the most part tend to be pretty open to trying something new and welcoming new sounds/artists into their collections. One of the fun parts of this job is making recommendations to our customers and then hearing back what they thought about it. It's almost like sharing recipes.

We all have different tastes and perceive things in our own unique way and comparing notes and information is fun and interesting. Makes for some stimulating conversations and as long as there's acceptance and encouragement of each other's individual thoughts and ideas those conversations are a beautiful thing to watch

Do you see collections with real Alaska history - records that came up decades ago and never left?

So, we do occasionally see collections that sort of reflect what Alaska was like back in the day. We're in our early 60's so we've lived through music back in the 60's, 70's, 80's, etc and it's always fun to get a collection with pricing and packaging from some of the older, locally-owned stores like Tri-Me Records, Budget Records & Tapes, Mammoth Music (who is still around today but evolved into an instrument store).

Sometimes we get older collections with multiple Alaskan artists from back in the day; they're usually signed by the artist. My cousin, Jason McKean, was in an 80's punk band called The Psychedelic Skeletons who also collaborated on an album with another local band, The Clyng-Onz.

There was a female punk band called Anemic Boyfriend; we've got a personal story about one of the members who, when she died some years ago, her husband brought her entire collection to us which contained a number of their 45's and also press passes to many local shows as she was later a music critic and local reporter. There's just so much history here, little hidden gems which are fun to share with others.

We have an Alaska music archiver that stops in and hunts for Native Alaskan artists which can be very tough to find.

If someone in Anchorage wants to sell records, what's the best way to start - and what makes a collection worth the drive across town?

Most times, people will bring collections to us. It's a 20 minute drive end to end across Anchorage, so it's not a long commute. We do go pick up collections when needed. Basically, any collection is worth us taking a look at. You never know what you'll find!

What do long winters and dry indoor heat do to vinyl over the years?

As long as records are stored properly (indoors, away from heat sources but not exposed to freezing cold, upright) I don't think our weather here is a problem for vinyl. I would hazard a guess that living in extreme heat would be more of a challenge. It's incredible how quickly heat can permanently warp a record.

In the summer we're advising people to put their records on the floor in the back seat of the car away from sunlight and in the winter we're telling them to keep them away from the heaters on the ride home and, of course, to keep them away from any heat sources in the home and out of direct sunlight.

Proper care of records is part of the vinyl "experience' and people are generally invested in keeping their collection pristine and preserving the sound and the value. Cold can warp records as well, but they usually flatten out once they reach room temperature. Extended periods in cold can be worse on the jackets as they sometimes absorb moisture.

What's the record or collection that made you think "only in Alaska"?

Probably a collection full of folk music. I expect that happens everywhere though, but sometimes there is a ton of folk music.

Someone's visiting Anchorage with an afternoon to spare. Why should Obsession Records be on the list?

Our store is fun! We've put a lot of thought into making it an enjoyable experience. Some of the things we offer in addition to a great selection of vinyl, CD's and cassettes is costume jewelry (that's my thing), candles made by a local artisan, artwork by local artists, framed rock posters, used and new electronics, wearable merch, etc.

We have a large selection of vinyl that people can "forage"; it's almost like a treasure hunt! There's always something new and interesting to see! And if you need advice on putting a system together or you're not sure where to start, Steve is the guy to talk to.

We love our customers! We created this store but our loyal customers built it and sustain it. We never lose sight of that and we're grateful to have this wonderful work. Certainly not everyone is so fortunate. We've all had those jobs that weigh us down, that we dread going to every day; that's not us! When we go to work we look forward to the people we're going to meet that day.

There's a substantial amount of actual work that has to be done to make the record store run smoothly but by staying mindful of the joy music brings to our customers somehow it doesn't seem like work. And the creative side of our work is a blessing.

Just like any record store, we have our own type of rarities and we aren't picked over when it comes to everyday type of music. We hear travellers remark all the time how they can't get their hands on a clean copy of a Bruce Springsteen title or Bob Dylan, etc. You can still find those in our store.

We deep clean all of our used records before they go on the rack for sale. It doesn't seem like much, but makes a difference. We have a wide variety of genres as well. I imagine it's the same as most record stores. We all have our own style and uniqueness. If you're in a record store, anywhere in the world, everything is alright at that moment.

FAQ

Does Obsession Records buy used records?

Yes. The shop buys used records from locals regularly and looks at collections brought into the store.

Can Obsession Records pick up a collection?

Sometimes. Most sellers bring collections in, but pickup can be arranged when needed.

What storage issues should sellers avoid?

Records should be stored upright, indoors, away from heat sources, direct sunlight, moisture, and long exposure to freezing cold.

Does the shop clean used records?

Yes. Obsession Records deep cleans used records before putting them out for sale.

What else does the shop carry besides records?

The shop carries CDs, cassettes, electronics, local art, candles, jewelry, framed rock posters, wearable merch, and related items.

Last updated: 2026-07-17