It wasn’t so long ago that we traded in our old tapes for CDs, and even more recently our precious So Fresh compilations for the invisible magic of downloadable mp3s. However, the unmistakable ‘cool’ that has emerged over the last few years came piggybacking on the resurgence of vintage culture. Since then, many have dived into the the dusty depths of our family garage, searching for the 12 inch treasures of our parents pre-loved vinyl collections. In the absence of an existing hand-me-down collection (or in the unfortunate event that we discovered our parent’s taste was better off left abandoned in the darkness), many now spend weekends trolling the markets for those golden remnants, amassing a collection that is as much about them being on boastful display at your bedside, as it is about that unmistakable sound of 33⅓ rpm.

Enter Perth-ian, Brad Miocevich, who undoubtedly will put to shame any of our feeble efforts. Back in 2005, this music aficionado purchased an astounding 30,000 strong LP army from the 720 ABC radio station. The sheer volume of work is almost incomprehensible, but that’s because it’s not just limited to the staple Beatles, Bowie, and Bob Dylan, it also includes many rarities, such as some original recordings of historical moments with Winston Churchill and good ol’ Queen Lizzie II (way back when she may have been considered a semi-babe).

The climax of Mr. Miocevich’s incredible feat however is the completion of a three storey glass panelled property dedicated to the housing and display of this formidable library. With a cool 300m worth of shelving space, one can only hope that equal time was dedicated to the sorting and alphabetisation of this collection. Some people buy homes and fill them with the shrill screams of children, and others (like Mr. Miocevich), to house their other types of babies… given the choice, I know I’d definitely rather be in my vinyl glass castle, sacrificing my ear a la Reservoir Dogs style, to an original 1972 analogue recording of “Stuck In The Middle With You”.

Listen below to Miocevich’s interview on 720 ABC Perth Radio.

https://soundcloud.com/720abcperth/one-man-thirty-thousand-records