Janek Przybyłowski aka Janek z Cukru, shares his passion for vinyl records, exploring their resurgence and what they mean to collectors today.
Janek Przybyłowski aka Janek z Cukru, shares his passion for vinyl records, exploring their resurgence and what they mean to collectors today.
Vinyl has seen a major resurgence in recent years. What do you think has contributed to its popularity, and how do you see this trend evolving?
Streaming platforms are convenient but also kind of dull. Vinyl, on the other hand, is undeniably cool. And let’s face it, people want to be cool. Even if you can’t hear the difference between digital and analog sound, it’s just really nice to have some records at home. They look great on the shelf, and people are always curious about them. You can never get bored in an apartment filled with books and vinyl records.
I think the popularity of vinyl will continue to grow. It’s not a temporary fashion. A better sound medium will not be created because there is no demand for it. So vinyl will be the first choice for people who want to collect music in a physical format. However, the popularity of CDs will also increase, as younger generations will view them as something completely weird and retro.
As an influencer, can you explain your inspiration for creating your posts?
I just want to promote what I love—both deep cuts and classic albums. I spend so much time discovering new music that I think it would be a waste not to share my best finds. And when it comes to classic albums, I want to help people dive deeper into music in general.
How did your passion for vinyl begin? Do you remember your first record, and what made it special?
I’ve always loved music, and at some point, I decided to take my passion to the next level. Vinyl felt like the most natural path—analog records sound incredible, you support artists by buying their records, and they come with those beautiful large covers.The first record I bought was “Sam’s Suffy” by Belgian pianist Marc Moulin. I didn’t overthink it—I stumbled upon his song “TOHUBOHU” on YouTube, was blown away, and thought, “I need this on vinyl.” I only realized it would be my first record after buying it (I didn’t even own a record player at the time).
What are some of the most underrated or overlooked vinyl records that every music lover should check out?
There are so many! In Poland, for example, not enough people appreciate American folk rock. Albums like “The Band” by The Band or “Déjà Vu” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young are considered classics in the U.S. and Canada, but here in Poland, it’s hard to sell even one copy (and I know what I’m talking about—I had them in my record shop for two years, and no one asked about them even once. Both are 10/10 albums).
As for universally underappreciated gems, I can’t recommend Jacqueline Taïeb’s self-titled 1967 album enough. It’s a yé-yé style masterpiece.
Album art is such an essential part of the vinyl experience. How important is the visual aspect when you’re showcasing records, and do you think it adds to the overall appeal?
I absolutely love album covers. I think they are some of the most important art pieces of the 20th and 21st centuries. I can’t imagine “The Dark Side of the Moon” without its iconic prism cover. That album would feel different to me without it, and that applies to all the records I love. A great album cover is half the success. Many times, I’ve given an album a chance just because the cover art caught my eye. I have album covers displayed all over my apartment, and I switch them out frequently. I’m a bit of an album cover freak. Sometimes I even find records with similar designs and place them side by side, like “Someone New” by Helena Deland and “Seriously Deep” by David Axelrod.
How do you foster engagement with your community, and what’s the most rewarding part of interacting with fellow vinyl lovers?
I often ask my community questions, like, “What are your favorite live albums?” The responses are always amazing. I learn so much from them—there are almost no boring picks. The people who follow my page really know their music, and that makes me incredibly happy and proud.
The most rewarding part is meeting a fan in person, at a concert or a club, and realizing they’re super cool. Recently, I met a guy in a club who told me he had watched almost all of my videos. We talked a lot, and it turned out that not only does he play saxophone in a band, but he was also booked for DJ’ing later that night. I stayed until 3 AM for his set, and it was great. The most rewarding thing is when you realize that you can now become a fan of someone who started out as a fan of yours.
Lastly, as a music lover, what can you tell us about the Warsaw music scene?
The music scene is constantly evolving and taking new forms. Right now, I think it’s better than it’s ever been in my lifetime, largely thanks to people from Ukraine and Belarus. They have brought their amazing cultures to Warsaw and made the city so much more interesting.
Check out’s Janek’s social platforms here