Home Grown: A synth-heavy soundtrack collection in Chicago

Because every record collection has a story.

Home Grown is our series profiling you lot and your excellent record collections. Taking our cue from the brilliant submissions to the #VFRecordCollections thread on Instagram, we want to share a little of your hard-earned love for vinyl with the world.

Each week, we’ll be profiling a different collector from around the world and finding out what makes them tick. Want in? Send us a pic of your collection and a few words about your collection to [email protected].

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Name: Devin O’Brien Dodt

Location: Chicago, USA

Size of collection (approx.): 875 LPs and 65 7’s

How long have you been collecting for?

I started collecting records around the time I graduated high school, about 6 years ago. I was given a small collection passed down from my parents, including records from my grandfather. It was a mix of genres from ’50s rock-n-roll, to pure ’80s hits. As a third generation to be introduced to vinyl records, I was immediately hooked. For me, holding an album in my hands was the coolest thing. This began my introduction to the “thrill of the hunt” for vinyl and continues a legacy for my family and future.

What part of your set-up are you most proud of?

My turntable is one of the newest additions to my setup and my personal favourite. I know Rega RP1s aren’t the top of the line, but for my price range it was perfect. I was fortunate enough to buy a pair of one-of- a-kind custom made speakers from a friend. This combination creates a superb sound and enhances the resonance of vinyl.

What record(s) are you most proud of?

To be honest, it is very difficult for me to even begin choosing a favourite record. My collection consists of a wide range of genres. I’ve always been big into movies so a majority of my favourites are soundtracks. Synth pop and film scores, like Stranger Things or the Drive soundtrack are hands down some of my favourite records. Other favourites are albums from artists I’ve experienced live in concert.

What does your record collection mean to you?

Music has been an important part of my life since birth. My parents say I was rockin’ from day 1. My earliest memory was the sweet reggae sounds of Bob Marley or the classic melodies of the Moody Blues blasting through our summer home. I get the most enjoyment from digging to find that elusive vinyl. I’ve purchased most of my records from independent record stores throughout Chicago and other states. To put it in perspective, my vinyl collection is the most valuable investment I have made in my life.