Rollin' Records

Rollin' Records in Boise carries new and used records with a focus on rock, hip-hop, and rare finds. In this interview, the owner discusses the city’s record shops, buying collections, and a record kept for personal reasons.

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Interview with Rollin' Records

Rollin' Records — where does the name come from, and what's the shop about?

The name Rollin’ Records comes from finding a good iteration that fits with records. Our shop balances new and used records, with a focus on rock, hip hop, and rare wax.

You're on Fairview in Boise, a city that's grown a lot fast. What role does the shop play locally, and who's coming through?

Boise has a sneaky good record store scene. There are us, Modern Sounds, The Record Exchange, and Wylie Records all within 4-5 miles of each other. We each focus on our strengths. Boise has a great music scene that grows bigger each year, and has the record shops to support it.

What does the shop stock the most of, and what are you known for?

We stock the most of rock, new & used, and focus on hip hop releases as well. Our website definitely has a hip hop heavy customer base.

What's the first tell that a box of records is going to be a good one?

If there is Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Grateful Dead, or 90s rock, I get excited to see the rest of the box.

When you buy, is it usually the whole collection or just the standouts?

It depends on the collection. We have a lot of older customers we have to turn down or cherry-pick a couple of records from because their collection includes a lot of pre-60s big band, swing, and country records. Our customer base has little to no interest in those genres.

If there are decent to good picks from the 60s onwards, I’ll try to take the whole section or collection if it makes sense.

What's the record you most often have to let people down about?

Listen, I love James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and those great 70s singer/songwriters, but a lot of people think those records are worth a lot of money. It breaks me to tell them every time.

Idaho's high-desert air is dry, which is easier on vinyl — but what condition problems still come through most?

The number one condition issue customers come in with is warped records. I feel this problem is common globally. Luckily for our customers, we have a flattener that gets out most warps.

What's the find that still makes you shake your head, thinking back on it?

A woman had all her sisters’ punk collection from the 70s. Tons of Iggy Pop, first-press Sex Pistols, and early Velvet Underground stuff. I could not believe this stuff was in Boise.

What's the one record from your own collection you'd never sell?

Easily the toughest question. I’ll go with this one since it’s technically priceless: my signed copy of Injury Reserve's self-titled album. I got it signed by all three members at their show in Santa Cruz in 2019. One of the members, Groggs, passed away during COVID, so it holds a lot more value on the secondary market and, of course, to me.

Last updated: 2026-10-28

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