Rise Records is an Oregon-based independent record label specializing in post-hardcore, screamo and related rock styles that recurs across Submerge coverage as the home of numerous touring acts as well as several Sacramento-region artists.[1] Although the label itself is not from the Sacramento region, it functioned as a label backer for multiple local and touring bands covered by the magazine between 2009 and 2014.[2][1]
At a glance
- Independent label headquartered in Oregon; described by Submerge as an "Oregon-based indie powerhouse."[1]
- Released or co-released records by Sacramento-region acts including Dance Gavin Dance, the Lonely Kings, and Kevin Seconds.[2][3][1]
- Also home to touring/out-of-area acts such as Breathe Carolina (Denver) and Tides of Man (Tampa, FL).[4][5]
- Catalog spans post-hardcore, screamo, "dance-core," progressive rock, metalcore and singer-songwriter material.[4][5][6][1]
Origin and identity
Rise Records is identified in Submerge coverage as an Oregon-based independent label.[1] Across articles spanning 2009 to 2014 it appears repeatedly as the releasing label for a wide range of guitar-driven and heavy acts, and by 2014 Submerge characterized it as an "indie powerhouse," indicating a label that had grown in stature over the period of coverage.[1]
The label was founded in 1991 by Craig Ericson in Nevada City, California, releasing a small number of 7" records before putting the operation on hiatus so he could attend college.[7] After earning a geography degree, Ericson worked as a government cartographer in Portland, Oregon; according to Billboard, he resumed the label in 1999 and issued his first CD release in 2000 from the group One Last Thing.[8] The 2006 release of Drop Dead, Gorgeous's debut album In Vogue became the label's breakout moment: it sold 30,000 copies and was picked up by Suretone/Interscope, prompting Ericson to leave his cartography day job.[9]
Roster and releases
Submerge coverage documents the following Rise Records releases and signings:
- Breathe Carolina (Denver duo, David Schmitt and Kyle Even): signed to Rise Records around 2008 after self-releasing material via Myspace; described as performing "dance-core."[4]
- Tides of Man (Tampa, FL progressive rock band): released their full-length debut Empire Theory on Rise Records (out by 2009).[5]
- Ten After Two (Roseville-area metal band): their debut EP If You Don't First (2010) was produced through a collaboration involving Rise Records, Artery Management and Hot Topic.[6]
- Dance Gavin Dance (Sacramento): released Downtown Battle Mountain II (March 8, 2011) through Rise Records.[2]
- Lonely Kings (Sacramento): released The Ides of March (2003) via Rise Records, among releases the band put out across several labels.[3]
- Kevin Seconds (Sacramento scene figure): released his solo album Off Stockton on Rise Records on Feb. 18, 2014.[1]
Growth and industry standing
By 2014, Rise Records had grown into a significant independent force: according to Billboard, the label was generating approximately $10 million in annual revenue, controlled roughly 5% of the hard-rock record market, and had placed three albums in the Billboard 200 top 10 that year, including Memphis May Fire's Unconditional at No. 4.[10]
Acquisition by BMG
BMG Rights Management acquired Rise Records on May 18, 2015; the label maintained its Beaverton, Oregon headquarters and Ericson remained in charge following the acquisition.[11] In July 2013, two years before the acquisition, Rise had relocated from Portland to Beaverton.[11]
Leadership transition
Craig Ericson departed Rise Records on December 8, 2017; Sean Heydorn stepped up and took over the label.[12] In 2021, Rise established a partnership with Blue Swan Records, an imprint founded by Dance Gavin Dance guitarist Will Swan.[13]
Sacramento-scene connection
While the label is based in Oregon, it has a recurring tie to the Sacramento region through its roster. It released the Lonely Kings' The Ides of March in 2003, Dance Gavin Dance's Downtown Battle Mountain II in 2011, and Kevin Seconds' Off Stockton in 2014, and it backed Roseville's Ten After Two on their debut EP.[6][2][3][1] This makes Rise Records a notable national label presence in the local post-hardcore and rock ecosystem covered by Submerge. The 2021 Blue Swan Records partnership further deepened the label's tie to Dance Gavin Dance, a Sacramento act.[13]
After Rise: Vaux Records
After his noncompete agreement ended, Craig Ericson launched a new independent label called Vaux Records in 2025, named after Portland's famous Vaux's swifts, with initial signees including CUNTROL (Los Angeles) and J NOIRE (Nashville).[14]