A new artist-run vinyl pressing plant, Hellbender Vinyl, has opened in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood. Co-founded by Jeff Betten and Matt Dowling, it's one of only 40 vinyl pressing facilities in the United States.

Hellbender manufactures 7", 10", and 12" vinyl records with a focus on supporting artists at all career stages. As a member of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), they've quickly established themselves as a trusted manufacturer in the industry.

Their impressive client roster includes established acts like Guster, The Ataris, Sparta, and Wheatus, alongside numerous Pittsburgh-based artists such as Ghost Hounds, MCG Jazz, and Jim Donovan & Sun King Warriors. They also serve 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 follows Jack White's 2017 establishment of Third Man Records pressing plant and answers his 2022 call for addressing vinyl supply chain issues. As an artist-run facility, Hellbender Vinyl represents a significant addition to the American vinyl manufacturing landscape while supporting independent artists' needs for high-quality physical releases.

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