Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Lee & Dustin Lane.
In the immortal words of Jim Morrison… “The time to hesitate is through…”
Our lives were on auto-pilot. Day to day. 9-5. The same old same old…
Things needed changing. Fast…
It was a strange Tuesday in March (2016). One of those days when something clicks, when the lightbulb just doesn’t go on but it explodes. It was the realization that we were sick of treading water, going in circles, getting nowhere…
The next day Dustin quit his job and by Friday he hit the sidewalks of Downtown LA in search of a location for the shop (which ultimately took about 2 months to find).
A week after that he started to buy records. A few thousand miles of driving all over California and Nevada (garage sales, craigslist, thrift stores, record stores, and adding our own collection) yielded more than 10,000 lp’s and 45’s.
All construction and setup of the store was done by the two of us as well.
We opened our doors on July 9th 2016 with Dennis Keeley’s photos hanging in the gallery… and we’ve been rocking ever since.
What were you like growing up?
Dustin grew up in Northern California skateboarding the streets by day and playing bass at by night. By the time he was 15, music was the main focus, with all of his pocket money being spent on records and music equipment. And that hasn’t really changed.
Sherry grew up in Reno Nevada. Summers spent between a ranch in Fallon buckin’ bails of hay and Southern California sippin’ brunch mimosas by the beach. Loved time with my grandfather who was a veterinarian and even got to help deliver my horse when he was born. Sherry Loves animals, art, music, motorcycles, photography and helping others who love the same.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Actually, so far so good. Even though we’re more or less learning as we go, nothing has been so evil as to call it a struggle. Bump in the road? Naw. How about we call it a Wednesday… whatever the issue is it gets taken care of… and then it’s tomorrow.
The biggest challenge is getting the word out that we are here. That and finding good condition records to sell.
Pop Obscure Records & Art Gallery – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Pop Obscure Records & Art Gallery is just that… an All Vinyl Record Store as well as 2 levels of an Art Gallery (and with a small stage for bands to perform on).
A far as the record store goes, we carry Rock, Soul, Jazz, Soundtracks, Blues, Dub/Reggae and some goofy oddballs here and there. Both LP’s and 45’s. Prices range from $2 – $350 (for super rare, out of print albums). We also have a small selection of books, mostly music and art related but also some pop culture favorites from some of the heavies (Hunter S. Thompson, Jim Carroll, Alfred E. Neuman, etc.).
In the Gallery, so far we have had mainly music related photographers (Dennis Keeley, Kevin Estrada, Dave Markey, Jordan Schwartz) but we will be branching out to include Motorcycles, Skateboarding and Surfing this summer. Photography seems to be the focus but we are always on the lookout for other mediums as we move forward.
What are you most proud of as a company?
That we are pulling it off… doing it our way. We are also super proud of winning the 16th Annual Downtowners of Distinction Award 2017 in the Fashion District. Thanks again LA Downtown News! And to Gary Leonard for being supportive and taking our picture!
What sets you apart from others?
When we were setting up the store we wanted it to have a serious vibe… mellow…escape…reminisce…dig…collect.
Walking in thru the door from the street, the chaos of the traffic fades and now its only music… the walls are completely covered with music posters, vintage, concert, modern, whatnot… It feels like your teenage bedroom.
Everywhere you look there’s something artistic (giant Andy Warhol banner? check), or weird (vintage Ouija board from 1919… New Orleans Voodoo Doll), or curious (2 Triumph motorcycles parked in the entryway?) …
And then you see the Gallery, which takes up 2 levels in the back half of the store. View your favorite musicians as captured by various eyes and hands. The images can act as a catalyst for memories of shows you were at. Or fall in love with that cool scene. Take it home and love it on your wall.
So far you could have seen exhibits by photographers Dennis Keeley or David Markey & Jordan Schwartz or Kevin Estrada (which has been our most successful show so far). Currently hanging through June 18th is Fast Film: 50 Years of Music Photography by Heather Harris. Musicians from AC/DC and Bootsy Collins to Metallica and X have all been represented and collected from our walls.
And then there’s the bands that have played… all Free performances… with a sound that rivals some clubs in town. Poppy Jean Crawford was the first… Mike Watt + The Secondmen were here one night… L.A. Drones! blew everyone’s mind on another… Inger Lorre (of The Nymphs) played an emotional acoustic set… Saccharine Trust were amazing…
Having a great record store was extremely important to us but without the vibe, the sights, the sound, the feel, the smell… then you’re just another shop.
And we didn’t want to blend in.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is being happy with what you are doing… so far so good.
Contact Info:
- Address: 735 S. Los Angeles St.
Los Angeles, CA. 90014 - Website: http://www.popobscurerecords.com
- Phone: 213.628.3898
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popobscurerecords
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/popobscurerecords
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pop-obscure-records-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=atm+location+downtown+la&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=pop+obscure+records
Image Credit:
All photos taken by Joey Gooblin
