In an increasingly digital world, TWELVES has emerged as a haven for analog music in Long Beach. This unique space, led by owner Hector Waluyo and assisted by graphic designer Tony Bach, champions physical media and tangible creativity. As part of our TWELVES RECORD x TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA collaboration featuring the two distinctive TRAVELER’S notebook refills in Passport Size, we explore how these two creatives have built a haven for music lovers and artists alike.
The Vinyl Connection: Hector’s Journey to TWELVES
Hector’s path into the world of records began about 16 years ago through DJing, which quickly became his first love. Born in Del Rio, Texas, and now a Long Beach resident for over 11 years, Hector recalls how his passion evolved into something much bigger.
“I got into DJing and records about 16 years ago,” Hector explains. “That slowly turned to a side hustle, selling records on the side and DJing parties over the weekend, and eventually just evolved into a brick and mortar that we’re in right now.”
Like many collectors, Hector’s introduction to vinyl came through chance encounters. He vividly remembers finding his first record player at a yard sale while exploring Orange County with his grandmother during summer breaks. It was during these summer yard sales that he discovered his first records: Black Flag’s “Everything Went Black” and David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust.” These records started Hector’s collection that would eventually grow to TWELVES.
For Hector, the physical nature of records creates a deeper connection to music that streaming music can’t replicate. “Especially nowadays, everything’s so disposable. You take photos, they’re on your phone … You stream music, you don’t own anything,” he observes. “So being able to share music in an analog way at a record store or at a DJ gig, it’s personal.”
Behind the Designs: Tony Bach’s Creative Vision
Working from his studio in the back of TWELVES Records is graphic designer Tony Bach, the creative mind behind the TRAVELER’S notebook Passport Size refill “Sticker” and “Crate”. Tony’s creative journey began early in life, deeply influenced by comic books and skateboard culture.
“I’ve always been into drawing and illustrating. Comic books definitely had a big influence on it. I was into a lot of Marvel comic books growing up,” he explains. This early passion evolved when he discovered skateboarding, whose vibrant graphics culture inspired him to create art of his own.
What started as making stickers and graphics eventually led to learning silk screening, which further deepened his interest in design. “The process of CMYK and the printing process got me into being able to make images,” Tony recalls. After studying design at Cal State Fullerton, he entered the action sports industry, where he has worked with various brands for the past 20 years.
In an increasingly digital design landscape, Tony maintains a strong connection to analog processes. Working from a studio in the back of the record shop provides him with constant inspiration. “I have all these analog references to pull from… It comes from offline, and then you kind of digitize it, and it becomes part of your process,” he shares.
For the TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA collaboration, Tony appreciated the creative freedom. “This project was so cool. I just kind of get to do whatever and put it out into the world,” he shares. The two designs Tony created for the TRAVELER’S notebook inserts reflect his versatility: “Sticker,” a more vibrant style, and “Crate,” a grittier motif. Both designs showcase Tony’s ability to work across different visual styles.
An Analog Haven: How Hector and Tony Built TWELVES
What makes TWELVES special is the unique partnership between Hector’s curatorial vision for music and Tony’s design sensibility. Together, they’ve created more than just a record store; it’s a hub where analog traditions are celebrated and nurtured.
“We’re not chasing the trends ’cause those aren’t sustainable for us,” Hector explains about the store’s philosophy. “We’re here with open doors for anybody who’s curious and wants to listen to music that you won’t find on Spotify or at the biggest record shop around town.”
This approach resonates with Tony’s design philosophy as well. “If we’re going to put things out into the world as designers or as brands or as visual storytellers, there should be some sort of story or some sort of substance to whatever it is you’re putting out,” Tony emphasizes.
TWELVES has become an important hub for Long Beach’s vibrant music scene, hosting various artists and DJs. Tony’s studio space at the back of the shop creates a natural synergy between music and visual design, with album covers and event posters becoming points of creative exchange between the two.
For both Tony and Hector, maintaining this balance between tactile sources and digital tools creates a richer creative experience. “In such a digital age, it’s good to be able to disconnect,” Hector explains, echoing Tony’s appreciation for analog tools like sketchbooks and notebooks.
Tony’s creative process often begins with mind mapping and sketching, and analog tools help him develop ideas before moving to a digital medium. Similarly, Hector’s approach to curating the store’s collection starts with the physical experience of listening to records rather than consulting digital music charts or social media algorithms.
We sat down with Hector and Tony to discuss their story and how analog tools play a role in their journey as multi-disciplinary creatives.
TWELVES RECORD x TRAVELER’S COMPANY USA
TRC USA’s collaboration with TWELVES celebrates analog traditions in the modern world. Just as TRAVELER’S COMPANY TRAVELER’S notebooks encourage users to slow down and document their journeys on paper, TWELVES invites music lovers to engage with their favorite sounds in a more intentional way.
The two TRAVELER’S notebook Passport Size refills, “Crate” and “Sticker,” created by Tony, reflect this shared appreciation for analog experiences. You can use the notebooks to document their vinyl discoveries or favorite shows.
Visit TWELVES RECORD in Long Beach to explore Hector’s carefully curated vinyl and cassette selection. For those local to the Long Beach area, TRC USA will be holding a pop-up at TWELVES to celebrate the new collaborative TRAVELER’S notebook Passport Size inserts on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, from 12 to 5 pm, with Hector himself DJing the event.
The TRC USA x TWELVES RECORD collection will be available on October 20th, 2025, at 9:00 AM PT on www.travelerscompanyusa.com. The collection will also be available at TRAVELER’S FACTORY locations in Japan around mid-November. More details will be announced via the TFA Online Shop in early November.
TWELVES RECORD
746 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90813
Open: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6pm
https://www.instagram.com/twelveslb/
TONY BACH
https://www.instagram.com/bawkwards/
https://thepolymerprogram.com/blogs/news/doc_-738-tony-bach
Have a nice trip!
