Rise Records

United States • PortlandFounded 1991

Rise Records is an American independent label founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Portland, Oregon, now based in the US. It specializes in metalcore, post-hardcore, and emo, and is home to Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, Of Mice & Men, and A Day to Remember (early). It is distributed by BMG.

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

Portland, OR, USA

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Independent Label

Parent Company

Independently owned (BMG distribution)

Distribution

BMG

Additional Details

Genres

MetalcorePost-HardcoreEmoPop-PunkAlternative

Signing Process

Rise runs its own A&R. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. Artists are signed through A&R scouting at shows and on streaming, and through referrals. Rise favors bands with strong touring and online followings in the metalcore and post-hardcore scene.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation or build a strong touring and streaming profile first.

Notable Artists

Sleeping with Sirens
Pierce the Veil
Of Mice & Men
A Day to Remember (early)
Memphis May Fire
The Devil Wears Prada

Rise Records is an American independent label founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Portland, Oregon. It specializes in metalcore, post-hardcore, emo, and pop-punk. Rise is home to Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, Of Mice & Men, and Memphis May Fire, and released A Day to Remember's early work. It is distributed by BMG.

Rise built its reputation on the 2010s metalcore and post-hardcore boom. Its signings of Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, and Of Mice & Men defined the Warped Tour era of the 2010s. The label's model favors bands with strong touring followings and online communities, and it has been effective at breaking bands through YouTube and streaming rather than traditional radio.

How Rise Operates

Rise runs dedicated A&R for metalcore and post-hardcore. It is distributed by BMG, which gives it major-distribution-level reach while remaining independently owned. The label's strength is its deep ties to the metalcore touring and online community. Its marketing leans heavily on YouTube, streaming playlists, and the Warped Tour alumni network.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you make metalcore, post-hardcore, or emo, Rise is one of the most established independent labels in those genres. Its roster of genre-defining 2010s bands (Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil) shows it can build long-term careers in heavy music.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

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