Hellbender Vinyl Employee Spotlight - Nick Landstrom
Name: Nick Landstrom
Position: Lead Press Operator
What does your day to day look like? Press operation and maintenance, production schedule, ordering materials for records
How did you get into vinyl record production? Wanted to work in manufacturing, too vain to do something normal
What are your current top 3 favorite musicians/bands? Selda Bagacan, George Jones, Earth Wind and Fire
What's the best live music performance you've ever seen? The Beach Boys feat. John Stamos circa 1993
Nick’s dedication doesn’t stop when the press shuts down—he’s always looking for ways to optimize efficiency while preserving the unmistakable analog warmth that defines Hellbender’s sound. Recently, he introduced a cross-shift calibration system that aligns performance metrics between our day and night crews, ensuring every run—regardless of timing—meets the same sonic and visual quality standards. This workflow change has enhanced reproducibility and helped streamline scheduling.
A natural teacher, Nick frequently hosts impromptu training sessions for interns and new hires, sharing tricks of the trade like how humidity can subtly alter vinyl consistency or how to interpret waveform anomalies by ear and eye. His ability to break down complex technical details into actionable tips has accelerated onboarding and built confidence across the team.
Nick’s influence extends beyond technique. He’s collaborated with our communications team to create a short video series titled “Pressroom Stories,” where he walks viewers through pressing milestones, rare vinyl editions, and memorable production challenges. The series has already resonated on social platforms, boosting engagement and showcasing the human side of analog craftsmanship.
Outside the booth, Nick’s creativity shines in press-floor merchandising: he’s curated an in-house display of custom test-press art and historical press plates, turning our break area into a mini-gallery celebrating vinyl history. It's not just decoration—it sparks conversation, inspires curiosity, and reinforces the culture of pride on our plant floor.
In every sense, Nick embodies the ethos of Hellbender Vinyl—technical excellence rooted in passion, mentorship, and community. We’re proud to have him leading our presses, shaping our team, and connecting our craft to every record we produce.
