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Lava Records
Lava Records
Lava Records
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Lava Records is an American record label owned by Jason Flom, in partnership with Universal Music Group.[1]

Key Information

Company history

[edit]

In 1995, Flom launched Lava Records in partnership with Atlantic Records.[2] For the next decade, he continued to discover and champion artists under the Lava label who went on to sell over 100 million records globally, including Matchbox Twenty, Kid Rock, The Corrs, Simple Plan, Blue Man Group, Edwin McCain, Sugar Ray, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Flom also signed his first black artist, David Josias, known for his hit single “Mindblowin”.

In 2004, Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group, where he was named chairman and CEO of the Atlantic Records Group.[3] In this role, he oversaw a resurgence of the label and continued to sign and break major artists, most notably Paramore.[4]

Following 15 years of success at Atlantic and Lava, Flom was tapped in 2005 as chairman and CEO of Virgin Records. In 2007, he led a merger with Capitol Records to create the Capitol Music Group, where he was named chairman and CEO.[5] During Flom's tenure, he oversaw releases from artists including Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, and the Rolling Stones. In keeping with his track record of identifying and supporting new talent, under Flom's leadership eleven new artists rose to gold, platinum and multi-platinum status, which included Thirty Seconds to Mars. In 2007 he signed Katy Perry and personally A&R'd her debut album, One of the Boys.[6]

In 2008, Flom departed from Capitol Music Group to re-launch his own Lava Records label, this time in partnership with Universal Music Group's industry-leading Republic Records.[1] There he signed Jessie J, whose 2011 singles under the Lava banner "Do It Like a Dude" and "Price Tag" featuring B.o.B, topped the singles charts in the UK and 17 other countries.[7] Her multi-platinum debut album Who You Are sold over three million copies worldwide.[8]

In 2013, Flom identified Lorde, a then-unknown artist from New Zealand, and Lava released her debut single, "Royals", which stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks,[9] becoming the biggest alternative radio hit by a female artist.[10] Lorde went on to win two Grammy Awards including Song of the Year for "Royals" at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

Following successful Lava rock releases from Black Veil Brides and their frontman Andy Black, Flom signed breakthrough rock band Greta Van Fleet to Lava in 2017, who revitalized the global rock scene with multiple number one rock hits and over 1 million albums sold, all while touring over the last several years. When Robert Plant was asked about Greta Van Fleet in an interview with Australia's Network Ten, he proclaimed, "They are Led Zeppelin I," and described 21-year-old Josh Kiszka as "...a beautiful little singer. I hate him."[11] Elton John lauded the band in The Los Angeles Times: "Whoever says rock music is dead is completely wrong. When I first saw them, they knocked me out...They are going to be one of the biggest bands of the year."[12] The band picked up four nominations at the 2018 Grammy Awards and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album for their double-EP From the Fires.[13][14]

Flom founded Lava Publishing in 2014, which includes among its roster of writers break-out alternative rocker Evan Konrad,[15] writer/performer Maty Noyes,[16] and all four members of Greta Van Fleet.

Flom also founded the podcast company Lava for Good, which has produced critically-acclaimed podcasts Bone Valley and Earwitness (about the case of Alabama death row prisoner Toforest Johnson), both of which were named to Entertainment Weekly's list of Top 30 True Crime Podcasts of All Time.[17][18]

Label roster

[edit]

Current artists

[edit]

[19]

Past artists

[edit]
  • David Josias

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lava Records

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from Grokipedia
Lava Records is an American founded in 1995 by music executive in a with , later becoming an imprint of under in 2009. The label specializes in discovering and developing a diverse roster of artists across genres such as , and alternative, emphasizing an artist-first approach that combines indie creativity with major-label distribution. Under Flom's leadership as founder and CEO, Lava has signed and launched several multi-platinum superstars and Grammy winners, including singer , whose debut single "Royals" topped charts worldwide in 2013 and earned multiple awards. Other notable artists on the label include British singer , known for hits like "" and "Domino," and rock band , whose debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army (2018) debuted at number three on the 200. The roster has also featured acts such as , , The Warning, and Haiden Henderson, contributing to the label's reputation for nurturing breakthrough talents. Beyond music releases, Lava operates as part of the broader Lava Media empire, which includes publishing through Lava Publishing and production, reflecting Flom's multifaceted career in the industry spanning over four decades. The label's success is tied to Flom's track record of spotting talent early, though many of his earliest signings like and occurred during his tenures at other labels before Lava's establishment. As of 2025, Lava continues to focus on emerging artists while maintaining its legacy of global hits and innovative artist development.

History

Founding and Early Years

Lava Records was founded in 1995 by music executive , who had built a reputation at for discovering and signing influential artists throughout the and early 1990s. As a senior executive at Atlantic, a of , Flom leveraged his experience to establish Lava as an independent label in a joint venture with Atlantic, allowing it operational autonomy while benefiting from Warner's distribution and promotional resources. This structure positioned Lava to focus primarily on rock, pop, and alternative genres during the pre-digital era of the music industry, when physical sales and radio airplay dominated artist development. Under Flom's leadership as founder and CEO, Lava quickly gained traction through strategic artist signings that capitalized on emerging trends in and pop fusion. Key early acquisitions included in 1996, whose debut album achieved multi-platinum status and became a cornerstone of late-1990s radio playlists. followed in 1997, blending pop sensibilities with hip-hop influences on their breakthrough album , which spawned hits like "Fly" and solidified Lava's reputation for nurturing crossover appeal. The label's momentum peaked with the 1998 signing of , whose album exploded commercially, selling over 11 million copies in the U.S. and certified 11× Platinum by the RIAA. These early triumphs underscored Flom's hands-on approach to talent scouting and artist nurturing, emphasizing long-term development in an industry shifting toward digital disruption by the late . By the early , artists associated with Lava had collectively sold more than 100 million records worldwide, establishing the label as a powerhouse for genre-blending acts in the pre-streaming landscape. Flom's vision prioritized creative freedom and , fostering an environment where raw talent could evolve into global phenomena without the immediate pressures of online metrics.

Key Milestones and Partnerships

In 2004, sold Lava Records to the Atlantic Records Group, a division of , as part of a strategic expansion that positioned Flom as chairman and CEO of the Atlantic Records Group, overseeing its roster and operations. This transaction integrated Lava's independent ethos into a major label framework, allowing Flom to leverage Atlantic's resources while maintaining creative control over his imprint. Following the sale, Flom transitioned to in November 2005, where he served as chairman and CEO, revitalizing the label's artist development amid industry shifts. In January 2007, under EMI Group ownership, Virgin merged with to form the , with Flom elevated to chairman and CEO of the combined entity, which streamlined operations and artist signings across both imprints. This merger consolidated resources but faced challenges from EMI's financial pressures, setting the stage for Flom's return to Lava. By late 2008, Flom departed to reclaim and relaunch Lava Records as a with Universal Music Group's , shifting its distribution from Warner to the . This partnership, formalized in early , reinvigorated Lava as an independent imprint with access to UMG's infrastructure, enabling focused A&R in emerging genres. During this period, Lava solidified its emphasis on rock and metal acts through key releases, including Skillet's 2009 album , which debuted at No. 2 on the and marked a commercial breakthrough for the label's roster. followed in 2010, with their 2011 release Set the World on Fire selling 23,000 copies in its first U.S. week and peaking at No. 17 on the , further establishing Lava's niche in theatrical and . These milestones facilitated Lava's global reach via UMG's distribution network, providing enhanced and international promotion that propelled signed acts to multimillion-unit sales; for instance, Skillet achieved over 17 million albums sold worldwide by 2019, underscoring the partnership's role in scaling independent talent.

Recent Developments

In 2013, Lava Records signed artist , whose debut single "Royals" achieved a major pop breakthrough by topping the chart for nine consecutive weeks. The label expanded its operations in 2014 with the launch of Lava Publishing, dedicated to songwriting administration and artist development under Jason Flom's oversight. By 2017, Lava signed rock band , whose debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army (2018) surpassed one million units in global sales, debuted at number three on the , and number one on the Top Album Sales chart. The band earned four Grammy Award nominations in 2019 for their earlier EP and singles, including Best Rock Album. Entering the 2020s, Lava adapted to digital media trends through its Lava for Good initiative, emphasizing podcasts on social justice themes; the investigative series Bone Valley, hosted by Gilbert King, premiered in September 2022 and continued with new seasons, including Season 2 in April 2025 and Season 3 episodes starting in September 2025. Recent artist signings reflect Lava's focus on emerging talent, such as Haiden Henderson in 2023, whose releases blend pop and alternative elements. In 2025, the label released the EP Speak Like the Dead by rock act Return to Dust on August 1, showcasing its continued investment in diverse genres. As of 2025, Lava Records operates under founder Jason Flom's leadership as CEO, maintaining its joint venture with while prioritizing genre-spanning artists amid evolving streaming landscapes.

Operations

Distribution and Affiliations

Lava Records operates as a of (UMG) following its relaunch, functioning through a with , a division of UMG. This affiliation provides Lava with comprehensive distribution services, primarily handled via for major releases within UMG's ecosystem. As part of this structure, Lava benefits from UMG's integrated distribution network, which encompasses both physical and digital channels worldwide. The partnership grants Lava access to UMG's extensive international markets, facilitating global promotion and release strategies for its artists. For instance, this infrastructure has supported the worldwide distribution of music by acts such as and , leveraging UMG's presence in over 60 countries to maximize reach and synchronization opportunities. Unlike larger conglomerates, Lava maintains a lean operation without major sub-labels or imprints, though founder engages in joint ventures, including personal production credits on select projects that align with the label's artist development focus. Lava's revenue model centers on traditional and modern streams, including physical and digital sales, streaming royalties from platforms like and , and ancillary support for artist touring through UMG's promotional resources. This diversified approach, bolstered by UMG's technological and marketing infrastructure, ensures scalable income while prioritizing artist-first initiatives over expansive label expansion.

Publishing and Media Ventures

Lava Publishing was established in 2015 by as an extension of Lava Records to manage and administer song catalogs for both in-house artists and external songwriters. The division entered into a global administration partnership with Kobalt Music Publishing shortly after its creation, enabling comprehensive worldwide services for its writers. Early signings included songwriters and Max Matluck, alongside Lava Records artist Maty Noyes, whose catalog contributions supported the label's roster development through collaborative songwriting. This integration allows publishing efforts to directly bolster Lava's artists by providing creative resources and royalty management, fostering a cohesive for music production. In 2018, Lava expanded into non-music media with the launch of Lava for Good, a division dedicated to storytelling, particularly . Founded by Flom, who serves as a board member for the and multiple reform organizations, the venture leverages his advocacy to produce content highlighting wrongful convictions and systemic issues. Key outputs include the 2022 true-crime series Bone Valley, hosted by Gilbert King, which investigated a decades-old Florida murder case and contributed to the network's overall impact with millions of downloads across its shows. The division followed with Earwitness in 2023, an eight-episode docuseries by Beth Shelburne examining the case of Toforest Johnson and earwitness testimony flaws in . By 2025, Lava for Good announced expansions, including Season 3 subtitled Graves County, hosted by Maggie Freleng and focusing on wrongful convictions in Kentucky's Graves County. The podcasts are distributed through a multi-year with iHeartPodcasts, making them available on the app and major platforms, which has helped the network surpass 70 million total downloads and earn recognition as Podcast Network of the Year at the 2024 Audio Awards. This media arm broadens Lava's brand by amplifying reform narratives, connecting Flom's personal commitments to wider audiences beyond traditional music releases.

Roster

Current Artists

Lava Records' current roster as of November 2025 features a diverse array of active artists spanning rock, pop, and alternative genres, emphasizing innovative sounds and emerging talents. Greta Van Fleet, a Grammy-winning rock band signed to Lava Records in March 2017, has become one of the label's flagship acts with their blues-infused hard rock style. Their debut album Anthem of the Peaceful Army (2018) achieved platinum status in the United States, marking a significant commercial breakthrough and establishing their influence in revitalizing classic rock elements for modern audiences. The band continues to tour extensively and released their third studio album Starcatcher in 2023, with ongoing activity including preparations for a potential fourth album in late 2025. The Warning, a rock trio consisting of sisters Daniela, Paulina, and Alejandra Villarreal Vélez, signed with Lava Records in August 2020, bringing a high-energy sound to the label's lineup. Known for their powerful live performances and technical prowess, they released their full-length album Keep Me Fed in 2024 via Lava/, which includes singles like "MORE" and "S!CK" that have propelled their rise in the international rock scene. The band has garnered critical acclaim for blending heavy riffs with melodic vocals, contributing to Lava's growing presence in global . Haiden Henderson, a pop-rock signed to Lava/Republic Records in 2024, focuses on themes of young love, personal growth, and emotional vulnerability through his vibrant, guitar-driven tracks. His debut singles under the label, including "hell of a good time" and "bleachers" released in 2024, have amassed millions of streams, highlighting his blend of pop sensibilities with rock edges and marking his emergence as a key pop act for Lava. In 2025, Henderson released the EP tension on , exploring the complexities of relationships and adulthood, further solidifying his connection with younger audiences. Return to Dust, a Los Angeles-based quartet signed to Lava/ in 2025, delivers a fresh take on '90s and with their raw, introspective songwriting. Their debut EP Speak Like the Dead, released on August 1, 2025, features the hit single "Bored" and showcases their acoustic-infused live sets, positioning them as a in the alt-rock landscape. The band's signing has expanded Lava's rock roster, with upcoming tours alongside acts like and underscoring their rapid ascent, including the release of single "New Religion" on November 13, 2025.

Notable Past Artists

Lorde signed with Lava Records in early 2013 through a joint venture with , marking a pivotal moment in her rise to global stardom as a pop artist. Her debut album, (2013), achieved 6× platinum certification in the United States by 2025, propelled by the breakout single "Royals," which became a cultural phenomenon. Lorde released her follow-up, (2017), under Lava/Republic before departing post-2017 to pursue more independent creative deals, with subsequent projects like Solar Power (2021) handled directly by without Lava's imprint. Jessie J joined Lava Records in 2011 as part of its partnership with Republic Records, establishing her in the pop and R&B genres with a string of international hits. Her debut album, Who You Are (2011), earned platinum certification in the United States and 4× platinum in the United Kingdom, driven by tracks like "Price Tag" and "Domino." Following the release of Sweet Talker (2014), she transitioned away from Lava to focus on a solo arrangement under Republic Records, citing a desire for greater artistic autonomy, before fully departing Republic in 2023 to go independent. Black Veil Brides signed with Lava Records in 2010 after an initial deal with the independent StandBy Records, bringing their sound to a major platform. Their debut major-label album, (2010), debuted at number one on the chart and sold over 100,000 copies in its first week, solidifying their fanbase in the rock scene. The band released subsequent albums like Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones (2013) and Vale (2018) under Lava/Republic before departing around 2019 to for more aligned creative control. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, known for their symphonic rock and holiday-themed productions, signed with Lava Records in 1996 shortly after their formation. Their debut album, (1996), became a seasonal staple, achieving multi-platinum status with over 4 million units sold in the United States and featuring the instrumental hit "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24." The group continued with Lava for releases like (1998) and (2015), with no new albums since the death of founder Paul O'Neill in 2017, though their catalog remains associated with Lava/Republic. Other notable past artists include , who signed with Lava in 1998 and saw explosive success with (1999), which sold over 14 million copies worldwide and earned 11× platinum certification in the United States before he shifted to Atlantic in the early 2000s due to evolving career priorities. joined Lava in 1996, with their debut (1996) achieving 12× platinum sales in the United States—over 12 million copies—leading to a hiatus in 2004 and eventual move to other imprints under as band dynamics changed. Skillet's association with Lava began in 2004 when the label acquired rights to Collide, followed by the platinum-certified Comatose (2006), which sold over 1 million copies; they departed in the mid-2010s after fulfilling contracts, transitioning to independent and other major deals to support their growing audience. These departures often stemmed from contract expirations, pursuits of independent ventures, or alignments with larger label structures for sustained career growth.

References

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  11. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Kid+Rock&ti=Devil+Without+a+Cause#search_section
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  15. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/flom-takes-reins-new-capitol-128814/
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  29. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/09/3058407/0/en/Bone-Valley-Season-2-Jeremy-Lava-for-Good-and-Pulitzer-Prize-Winner-Gilbert-King-Return-with-the-Most-Shocking-Chapter-Yet.html
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  43. https://store.rare-t.com/products/greta-van-fleet-anthem-of-the-peaceful-arms-plt-lp-limited-signature-edition-custom-frame
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  45. https://www.lavarecords.com/artists/the-warning/
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  53. https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/return-to-dust-speak-like-the-dead
  54. https://www.uvmusicmag.com/post/return-to-dust-shares-snippet-of-brand-new-single-new-religion-tour
  55. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dXlhesQ91A
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