Know Hope Records joins the family! Jul 18, 2022

The Refresh family grows again!

If you told us a year ago that we’d join forces with not just one, but two incredible peer record labels, we’d think you were out of your mind. You just never know what exciting places life will lead you to.

Today we’re very pleased to share that Know Hope Records has agreed to merge with Refresh Records. We’re also stoked to announce that Know Hope Records founder, Shawn Dorsey, will be joining the Refresh team as a label manager.

Founded in Philadelphia in 2016, Know Hope Records has been carving a path through the independent music world, releasing new music from artists such as String Machine, Lakes, Sleepy Limbs, twentythreenineteen, Frames, innerlove., and more. We’re stoked to share more from Know Hope artists with you over the months and years to come.

To celebrate the news, both labels have a 20% OFF sale storewide this week! Discount is automatically applied in the cart. Preorder items are excluded from the sale. Click here to check out the Know Hope Records store.


PRESS RELEASE:

Philadelphia-based independent record label KNOW HOPE RECORDS has entered into a merger agreement with REFRESH RECORDS.

Under the new agreement, Know Hope Records catalog will be acquired by Refresh Records, with founder Shawn Dorsey joining the Refresh Records team in a management capacity. Know Hope Records will wind down operations over the course of 2022, and Refresh Records will take over direct-to-customer fulfillment, as well as administration of the rights associated with Know Hope Records catalog of releases.

“Since starting Refresh back in 2015, I've always had a big focus on DITogether and have been excited to collaborate with musicians, artists, labels, and other partners across the music world to grow together,” says Refresh Records owner, Josh Higgins. “Through numerous discussions with Shawn, we both felt that Know Hope and Refresh’s artists overlapped in many ways; sonically, socially, and otherwise. I am certain that this merger will be a great opportunity for every artist to reach new audiences and grow together.”

As for the artists associated with Know Hope Records, Josh went on to say, “I’ve been a big fan of the roster that Know Hope has curated and am stoked to have conversations with each and every artist about their upcoming plans and music. I felt it was critical to the merger that all artists are freed of future obligations to Know Hope and given the opportunity to join the Refresh family of their own volition. We have an open door and open arms for any Know Hope artists who wish to continue working with Shawn, and now the Refresh team.”

“Today is a bittersweet day,” Shawn adds. ”I am beyond grateful for every artist that I was lucky to work with at KHR, all of the passionate and dedicated people that have worked at the label, every person that has gone to a show, bought a record, or just supported KHR in your own way. With that said, I am extremely excited and grateful to be joining the amazing team at Refresh Records.”

The merger is the latest example of Refresh Record’s focus on growth through the sharing of knowledge and resources. Earlier in 2022, Refresh Records announced a partnership with Texas-based Chillwavve Records, bringing new opportunities to the growing Chillwavve roster and raising the collective profile of both record labels. With the merger of Know Hope Records, the Refresh family will now manage over 150 releases from artists spanning the independent music spectrum, including Young Mister, String Machine, Hit Like a Girl, Cliffdiver, twentythreenineteen, Joan of Arc, Keep for Cheap, Ben Quad, Biitchseat, Lakes, and more.

Biitchseat's "Float" is out now! May 27, 2022

"Float," the debut full-length album from Cleveland's very own Biitchseat is out now! Stream it here and be sure to order a copy on ghostly tangerine vinyl.

"Cleveland’s Biitchseat is about to have a big year." - The Alternative

"Biitchseat manage to make you feel understood and not alone. It's excellent music for mild summer evenings, cozy at home on the balcony, with a drink in hand and at peace with yourself." - ArtNoir

"...the 10 tracks on “Float” feel more lushly textured, as opposed to the group’s straightforward earlier work. The branches are the same, and on “Float” they’ve burst with flowers and leaves." - Cleveland.com

Perspective, a lovely hand to hold joins the Refresh family in order to blow out line widths on our website May 24, 2022

Perspective, a lovely hand to hold has joined the Refresh fam with plans to drop their new album, Phantasmagorialand on June 24th!

Check out the first single, "Still (Everyday)", which is streaming everywhere today. Then preorder the vinyl in beautiful gatefold packaging with accompanying t-shirt, tote, and stickers!

Preorder: refr.sh/phantasma

Btw, we actually did have to edit the HTML of our website a few times to deal with the length of their name...

New single "The Time" from Keep for Cheap out now! May 18, 2022

It's time for "The Time"! The latest single from Keep for Cheap is streaming everywhere ahead of their debut full-length record.

Bundle arrives on June 10th on digital and red swirl vinyl. Be sure to pre-order a copy here, along with some other fantastic merch picks!


Announcing "Such is Life" by Double Gainer! "Meeting in the Middle" Out Now Mar 30, 2022

We're so stoked to share the latest single from Double Gainer, "Meeting in the Middle" is out now on all streaming platforms! It's an angsty one, perfect for thrashing around your room or in the early spring warmth.

Their debut album, Such is Life, drops on May 6th on green and pink multi-colored vinyl and digital.

Grab a copy all your own here: https://refr.sh/suchislife
Stream the new single: https://refr.sh/mitm

"Peppermint" by Maggie Gently is out now! Mar 18, 2022

"Peppermint," the debut full-length album from Maggie Gently is out now on all streaming platforms! Maggie's music is melody-driven and heartfelt — a big-city indie rock fascination with an unmistakable emo accent. The nine songs that make up Peppermint reinforce empowering truths that can be hard to internalize or say out loud.

Take a listen here and order the vinyl, available in olive green or peppermint candy variants!

"Peppermint‘s nine songs focus on the personal yet deeply universal questions of commitment and love, the terrifying possibility of being vulnerable and known, and ultimately trusting something enough to let yourself get swept away in it." - The Joy of Violent Movement