When Jula's father passed away, he left her an extensive vinyl collection of nearly 10,000 records. Ranging from opera to 60s psych and prog rock to new wave, it was initially overwhelming. But this summer, the 24-year-old in Canada decided to "sample" some records. A friend suggested sharing the process on Instagram, and it led to remarkable results.

Connecting Through Music

Jula randomly pulled records, recording her reactions and thoughts. Since posting in September, her @soundwavesoffwax account has amassed over 322,000 followers. Growing up in a house full of sound, her father was a lifelong music lover who played multiple instruments and wrote songs. He would buy records with his allowance when he was young.She discovered albums like Mozart in the Seventies by Waldo de los Ríos and Marianne Faithfull. Jula doesn't research albums before playing them, which led to a few pronunciation blunders. But turning this private act into a social media project helps her process her feelings.Some followers say her account helps them navigate their grief. One commented that it helps them make sense of their loved one's belongings. There's also a lot of nerding out when she revisits dad-rock favorites.As a gen-Z twentysomething, Jula's musical consumption was mostly online before. Now, she's learning about taking care of records and appreciating the analog.Picking up a record her father held feels meaningful. It brings her closer to him, and she realizes it's not only about the loss of her father but also the loss of physical music.Jula's favorite albums include:

Mass in F Minor by the Electric Prunes, 1968

A sucker for concept albums, she loved the rock church vibe. It was a unique experience.

Tadpoles by Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, 1969

This silly album with fun sound effects and humor made her and her mom laugh. It showed a different side of her father's collection.

Mustard by Roy Wood, 1975

The experimental nature of this album was captivating. You never knew what to expect next.

The Cars by the Cars, 1978

A nice exploration of pop music with catchy elements and great synthesizers. The arrangement was full of play.