Page 32 - Fall 2021
P. 32
s| ANTIQUITIES
Brothers go analog
in a digital age
Story and photos by Justin Bray
Digging through a plastic bin of decades-old cassette tapes, Tom Murphy acknowledges that while he may not have the largest casette tape collection, he certainlly has the most eclectic one. Genres range from comedy to sound effects to atmospheric backgrounds to academic studies. Some tapes cover bands that he’s played in, and many are personal dispatches from his brother.
In 1981, Tom’s brother, Louis Murphy, started a now decades- long tradition of staying in touch through cassette tapes delivered by mail.
Tom Murphy has an audio studio in his apartment for playing the guitar and keyboard, as well as recording on cassette tapes.
Murphy collects cassettes and makes mixed tapes to send to his brother.
sJustin Bray is the executive director of Books for Keeps and a graduate of the University of North Georgia. PAGE 30 | OCONEE THE MAGAZINE | FALL 2021
