“I feel so lucky that I still don’t have to get a real job and that I get to do something I love everyday! Merlin is representative of the Hopeless Records DIY origin story by creating a community that makes it possible for independent music companies to stay independent and operate on their own terms. I founded the label in 1993 as a dare from punk band Guttermouth when directing a music video for them in film school. With $1,000 from my brother and his friend, the purchase of a book called How to Run an Independent Record Label, advice from my favorite fanzines like maximum rock n roll, and I was off to the races.
Thirty years later we are celebrating with a museum exhibit that is traveling the country with stops at the Valley Relics Museum in Los Angeles, A2IM indie week in New York, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and The Punk Rock Museum in Vegas. The exhibit showcases over 1,000 artifacts from our history including instruments, video props, rare documents, and photos from artists such as Avenged Sevenfold, All Time Low, The Wonder Years, Neck Deep, Scene Queen, Destroy Boys and so many more. The exhibit also highlights our efforts to connect music with making a difference through our non-profit organization, The Hopeless Foundation which has raised more than 3 million dollars for over 150 charitable initiatives. As Hopeless has grown, it’s become more important for me to give back to the communities that have made it possible for us to get started, grow and thrive. Some of the most rewarding moments of my career have been working with Merlin, A2IM, WIN and Music Biz boards to promote and protect the independent music community.
We are now one of the largest independent record labels, having helped develop the careers of more than 130 artists, released over 400 albums, and sold more than 15 million records. We continue to be at the forefront of youth culture and music and are leaders in advocacy for the independent music community. We still maintain our punk, DIY and independent ethos regardless of our and our artists level of success. We continue to be humble, adapt, listen, learn, and grow every day. We are still driven by a purpose larger than ourselves and principles that guide our actions.”
Louis Posen, Founder & President, Hopeless Records
