Pure Noise Records

Pure Noise Records is an American independent punk, emo, and post-hardcore label founded in 2010 by Jake Round in Berkeley, California. It is home to The Story So Far, Counterparts, Movements, Four Year Strong, and Riley. The label's 2026 releases include Riley's debut EP To Live And Die In The American South (arriving July 17, 2026), recorded in Austin, TX with producer Phil Odom. The EP features guest appearances from Tades Sanville of Hot Mulligan and Gabe Wood of Saturdays at Your Place.

Pure Noise built its reputation on the 2010s pop-punk and emo revival. Its signings of The Story So Far, Counterparts, and Movements made it a dominant force in modern emo and post-hardcore. The label's model favors bands with strong touring followings and online communities, and it has been effective at breaking bands through streaming and the Warped Tour alumni network. The 2026 Riley signing shows continued investment in developing emo acts.

How Pure Noise Operates

Pure Noise runs dedicated A&R for pop-punk, emo, post-hardcore, and hardcore from its Berkeley headquarters. It operates an independent distribution network. The label's strength is its deep ties to the modern emo and pop-punk touring ecosystem. Its A&R favors bands with strong live followings and online communities, and it has a track record of developing acts across multiple album cycles (The Story So Far, Movements).

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make pop-punk, emo, post-hardcore, or hardcore, Pure Noise is one of the most effective independent labels in those genres. Its track record of breaking modern emo acts (The Story So Far, Movements) shows it can develop artists in the streaming era. Its 2026 Riley signing shows continued investment in new emo talent.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

• Genre focus: Pure Noise signs pop-punk, emo, post-hardcore, and hardcore. Artists outside those genres should look elsewhere.
• No unsolicited demos: Pure Noise does not accept cold submissions.
• Touring expectations: Pure Noise's model favors bands with strong live followings. A studio-only project is a harder sell.
• Indie deal terms: Pure Noise typically takes master ownership for the deal term.

Related Resources

• Record Label Contracts Explained - What a Pure Noise deal contains
• Independent Labels vs Major Labels - The indie punk model
• Tour Revenue Calculator - Touring income for emo and pop-punk bands
• Epitaph Records - A related punk indie label
• Pure Noise Records Official Site - Roster and releases