Collector Interview: Jenn D'Eugenio
Posted on August 16 2018
We were first introduced to Jenn D'Eugenio through her Instagram account @jennn_erator, where she shares her vinyl collection. Jenn's appreciation for the format and her deep knowledge of music (particularly classic rock, metal, punk) and her love of Black Sabbath make her stand out.
Jenn has been a record collector for over 18 years, work as an account representative helping people press records at Furnace Record Pressing. Jenn's collection has around 2800 - 3000 records, with an even spilt 50/50 new and used. Jenn shares, "I feel lucky to be able to work in a job where I get to help people put their music on vinyl. I hope to start working on a side project to highlight all the other women who are also working in the industry in some way to continue creating the art of music on vinyl."
Jenn uses our genre dividers in her collection, as well as a few custom panels.
How long have you been collecting records? How did you get into it?
I grew up with records around but didn't start purchasing my own until I caught the bug in high school by visiting a shop called 'Dragon Song' that smelled of incense and at the time was in a dilapidated house with a wall of moldy oldies. I bought some Zeppelin (III and Houses of the Holy) and as soon as I heard the needle crackle into the intro of 'Since I've Been Loving You' I immediately was hooked. Go put on an OG copy of that record, that song, and tell me it doesn't hit you in some way.
Favorite or biggest music genre in your collection:
Hard rock / stoner rock / instrumental psych / doom it's hard to put one label it, but basically bands influenced by Black Sabbath.
Current top 3 albums:
If Master of Reality doesn't count then, Causa Sui - Euporie Tide | Elder - Lore | Earthless - Black Heaven
What album do you think every new vinyl collector should own?
Old: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin (any) | New: Here Lies Man (self titled)
Best party album:
Anything off El Paraiso Records Best album to listen to when you’ve had a rough week: Motorpsycho - Here Be Monsters or If These Trees Could Talk - The Bones of a Dying World
Last record you purchased:
Yawning Man - 'The Revolt Against Tired Noises'
Album you're in search of:
Black Sabbath all the Master of Reality variants in particular the Taiwanese white cover with purple and green text; and Smashing Pumpkins 'Machina/The Machines of God'
How often do you listen to vinyl?
We have a music room with DJ equipment and a listening chair, we also have shelves in our main family/living room along with 2 other turn tables on them. I listen to vinyl everyday, if only for a song or two.
Any tips for sharing / co-mingling a collection?
Yes! My partner Ray @rayblev when we met we had both been collectors for most of our lives. When we moved in together we merged our collections. We did have some good overlap but we also have deep interests in different kinds of music too. Tips: Try and be respectful of how they like to care for, and sort their collection. Ray being a DJ will sometimes have things in places I wouldn't put them because he's working on a mix and wants to pull something in a creative moment, whereas I want everything in it's correct place so I can easily pull and play it.
Also, continue to buy each other records, even though they go the same place it still means something to someone when they get to cross another one off the want-list.
What is more important to you? Sound quality or building your music collection?
Both, but I'm not a gear head. We have a few 1200s since Ray is a DJ and I had purchased one myself before we were together. Working at a pressing plant press quality is important to me but I'm not going to skip on a band that I love's record because it's not audiophile quality either. That being said, pay the extra to get a quality record pressed if at all possible. If you worked really hard on something that will live on to represent your music it's worth it. As far as building a collection, I don't collect just to collect, I listen to the records I buy and we don't have filler aside from a handful of things inherited.
Where do you hunt for vinyl?
Anywhere and everywhere! When we travel digging is top on our list of things to do and sometimes the reason we'll visit a place. I also shop online a lot from various labels, bands directly, and of course Discogs. Here locally we love Mobius Records.
