Hellbender Vinyl: Pittsburgh's New Artist-Run Record Pressing Plant Opens Its Doors
A new artist-run vinyl pressing plant, Hellbender Vinyl, is now operational in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. Co-founded by Jeff Betten and Matt Dowling, the facility manufactures 7", 10", and 12" vinyl records with a focus on serving artists at all career stages.
Two men at vinyl pressing plant
As one of only 40 vinyl pressing plants in the United States, Hellbender has quickly established itself as a trusted manufacturer, joining the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). This development addresses the vinyl supply chain issues previously highlighted by Jack White, who established Third Man Records' pressing plant in 2017.
Notable clients include established acts like Guster, The Ataris, Sparta, and Wheatus, alongside local Pittsburgh artists such as Ghost Hounds, MCG Jazz, and Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors. The company also serves corporate clients including Urban Outfitters, Mountain Dew, and Saatchi & Saatchi.
Beyond manufacturing, Hellbender fosters community engagement through various events, including live shows, album listening parties, art exhibits, podcasts, and film screenings. Their next event is a Record Store Day party scheduled for April 12 at 5:30 pm EST.
This initiative represents a significant step in supporting independent artists while addressing the growing demand for vinyl records in the music industry.