Photo by Tory Silver
Hellbender Vinyl, the beloved independent pressing plant expands to Philadelphia via acquisition of Softwax Record Pressing and welcomes industry veteran Travis Whitlock to the team.
Since shipping its first finished order in January 2023, Hellbender Vinyl, based in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, has built something rare in the music world: a vinyl pressing plant that artists and labels genuinely love working with. Not just for the quality of the records - though that speaks for itself - but for the experience of getting there.
Hellbender was built from the ground up by musicians, label veterans, and DIY lifers who understand what a record means to the person making it. That understanding shapes everything - from the quality of each pressing to the way the team shows up for clients every single step of the way. At Hellbender, no one is left wondering where their order stands. The team checks in proactively, keeps clients updated throughout the process, and treats every project with the same level of care and attention, whether it’s a debut EP or a major label reissue.
The result is a client list that reads like a testament to trust: Guster, Dizzy Reed of Guns N’ Roses, The Ataris, Wiz Khalifa, Victoria Monét, Castle Rat, Apes of the State, and hundreds more have all pressed with Hellbender - and keep coming back.
Now, Hellbender is growing.
Its new Philadelphia facility is open and accepting orders today. Last year Hellbender acquired Softwax Record Pressing, an up-and-coming indie plant which was founded in 2018 by Kiko Casanova in Northeast Philadelphia. Kiko joined Hellbender in early 2025 to spearhead client development: “I met Matt (Dowling) through some mutual friends in late 2024 and I thought our vision for serving indie artists was crazy aligned. The joining of forces has been super fun and at times wild, but such is the world of vinyl pressing.” East Coast artists and labels can now benefit from fast turnaround times and the option of local pickup - a convenience that reflects Hellbender’s core commitment to being genuinely accessible. The expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth as a proudly American-made alternative in an industry that has long leaned on overseas manufacturing.
In tandem with the additional footprint, Hellbender is thrilled to welcome Travis Whitlock to the team as their Head of Business Development. Whitlock’s career spans decades and disciplines: musician, tour manager, record label owner, fine art framer and conservator, venue manager, and founder of Actually Pressing - a manufacturing company celebrated for pushing vinyl’s creative limits with liquid-filled and object-filled records. His deep industry relationships and hands-on expertise make him a natural fit for a company that has always believed the best work comes from people who are truly invested in the craft.
“We know what it means to hold your own record in your hands for the first time. That feeling is why we do this” said Whitlock. “I joined Hellbender largely because I was struck with how genuinely they care about their customers. It’s more rare than you might imagine. Matt and Jeff (Betten) put together a really great crew spread between the Pittsburgh and Philly plants. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Hellbender offers flexible service to fit every kind of client: order entirely online at your own pace, or work hand-in-hand with the team from concept to delivery. Either way, you’ll never be left in the dark. That’s not just a promise - it’s the Hellbender standard.
Info on upcoming events including a Record Store Day party on April 18 at 5:00pm EST can be found here.
Hellbender Vinyl is a proudly American-made, independently operated vinyl pressing plant built on the belief that artists deserve a pressing partner that actually gives a damn. Since shipping its first order in January 2023, Hellbender has pressed records for artists across genres, offering flexible service - from fully self-directed online ordering to full-service collaboration - with proactive communication, attentive customer service, payment plan options, and the quality and care that only comes from a team that lives and breathes music.
Co-Owner Matt Dowling is a musician, PhD scientist, and serial entrepreneur with deep roots in the DC/Baltimore music scene. Known primarily as a bass player, Matt has toured with notable bands such as Deleted Scenes (Park the Van Records), The Effects (Dischord Records), and Paperhaus (Misra Records). Through Paperhaus’s 2017 release on Misra, Matt met Jeff Betten. Currently, Matt plays as the frontman of SWOLL, bassist of Burial Waves, and multi-instrumentalist in How???.
Outside of music, Matt is a PhD Chemical and Biomedical Engineer, the founder of multiple tech and life sciences companies, and the inventor of Rapid Seal Wound Gel, available in CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. His scientific work has been featured on Brave New World with Stephen Hawking. After reconnecting with Jeff during the COVID pandemic, Matt found his passion for vinyl manufacturing—a unique combination of chemical engineering, music, and entrepreneurship.
The creation of Hellbender Vinyl is the result of co-owner Jeff Betten’s long journey through the music industry. Starting as an acoustic singer-songwriter, Jeff later found success on the business side, taking over the indie label Wild Kindness Records in Youngstown, Ohio. His efforts caught the attention of Misra Records in Washington, DC, who asked him to become their general manager. In both roles, Jeff witnessed the growing demand for vinyl records and the corresponding increase in production wait times.
When Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto challenged him to help his hometown grow, Jeff proposed the idea of bringing a vinyl pressing plant to Pittsburgh. Known for its manufacturing prowess, it’s no surprise that Hellbender Vinyl has thrived in the Steel City.
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