Lava Records
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAmerican record label founded by Jason Flom and associated with Atlantic Records and Universal Music Group.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
Lava Records is an American record label founded in 1995 by music executive Jason Flom. Its history is closely connected with major-label partnerships: the label began in association with Atlantic Records, later became part of the Atlantic Records Group, and was relaunched in 2008 through a partnership with Universal Music Group's Republic Records. Rather than operating as a large standalone recording company, Lava has functioned as an artist-development and label-imprint platform built around Flom's ability to identify emerging performers and connect them with major-label distribution, marketing, and commercial infrastructure. During its first period of operation, Lava developed a broad roster spanning alternative rock, pop-rock, hard rock, hip-hop, adult alternative, and crossover acts. Artists associated with the label included Matchbox Twenty, Kid Rock, The Corrs, Simple Plan, Blue Man Group, Edwin McCain, Sugar Ray, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and others. The label's early catalog helped establish its reputation for finding artists who could move from developing or niche audiences into mainstream international markets. Reference material associated with the label states that artists discovered and supported during this period went on to sell more than 100 million records globally, although no detailed accounting or time-specific source is provided here. In 2004, Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group and became chairman and chief executive officer of that group. The Atlantic period was associated with a renewed emphasis on signing and breaking artists, including the later success of Paramore. Flom subsequently held senior leadership roles at Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group, where he worked with artists including Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Katy Perry. These executive positions were separate from Lava's operations but shaped the label's wider reputation and Flom's artist-development profile. Flom relaunched Lava in 2008 in partnership with Universal Music Group's Republic Records. The revived label achieved a major pop success with Jessie J, whose Lava-associated releases included the singles "Do It Like a Dude" and "Price Tag" featuring B.o.B. The label's most prominent critical and commercial breakthrough of the 2010s came with Lorde. Lava signed the New Zealand artist and released "Royals," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was followed by major international recognition, including Grammy Awards for Lorde and the song. Lava has continued to maintain a strong rock and alternative identity alongside pop releases. Its roster has included Black Veil Brides and Andy Black, while the signing of Greta Van Fleet in 2017 positioned the label behind a young band that attracted substantial global attention. Greta Van Fleet's releases generated major rock-radio success, significant touring activity, Grammy nominations, and a Grammy win for Best Rock Album for From the Fires. Other current or recent roster names identified in reference material include The Warning, Jxdn, somegirlnamedanna, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Yonaka, and The Wrecks. The Lava brand has also expanded beyond recorded music. Flom founded Lava Publishing in 2014 for songwriters and artists, including members of Greta Van Fleet and other emerging writers. He also founded Lava for Good, a podcast company focused particularly on justice and true-crime programming. Its productions have included Bone Valley and Earwitness. These ventures reflect an extension of the Lava name into publishing and audio content, while Lava Records itself remains primarily an artist and music-label brand operating through major-label relationships.
History
Lava Records was established in 1995 by Jason Flom in partnership with Atlantic Records. From the outset, the label was designed to combine the flexibility of an imprint led by an active A&R executive with the resources of a major record company. Its early roster crossed conventional genre boundaries, including rock, pop-rock, alternative, hip-hop, adult alternative, and crossover performers. Matchbox Twenty, Kid Rock, The Corrs, Simple Plan, Blue Man Group, Edwin McCain, Sugar Ray, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra were among the artists associated with the label during this period. Lava also signed David Josias, identified in the reference material as Flom's first Black artist signing. The label's first decade established its commercial identity. Lava concentrated on finding developing artists and supporting their transition into larger audiences rather than presenting itself as a broad, self-contained corporate music group. Reference material credits the artists discovered and championed under the Lava banner with more than 100 million records sold worldwide, although the underlying source does not provide a detailed methodology or period breakdown for that figure. In 2004, Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group. He then became chairman and chief executive officer of Atlantic Records Group, where he continued working on artist signings and label development. Paramore is cited as a particularly notable act associated with this phase. Flom later left Atlantic-related leadership after being appointed chairman and chief executive officer of Virgin Records in 2005. In 2007, he led a merger between Virgin Records and Capitol Records that created Capitol Music Group and served as its chairman and chief executive officer. During that period, he oversaw work involving established artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, and the Rolling Stones, while also supporting newer acts including Thirty Seconds to Mars and Katy Perry. Flom returned to the Lava name in 2008, relaunching the label in partnership with Universal Music Group's Republic Records. The relaunch restored Lava as a vehicle for artist discovery while giving its releases access to the infrastructure of one of the world's largest music companies. One of the label's early successes in this renewed period was Jessie J. Her singles "Do It Like a Dude" and "Price Tag," the latter featuring B.o.B., achieved strong chart results, and her debut album Who You Are became a significant international seller. In 2013, Lava released Lorde's debut single "Royals." The song's minimalist alternative-pop sound became a major crossover success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining there for eight weeks according to the reference material. Lorde subsequently won two Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for "Royals" at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. The release became one of the clearest examples of Lava's artist-development model producing a global pop breakthrough. Lava retained its rock orientation through signings including Black Veil Brides and Andy Black. In 2017, Flom signed Greta Van Fleet. The band became a prominent new name in contemporary rock, producing number-one rock hits, selling more than one million albums according to the reference material, and building its audience through touring. Greta Van Fleet received four nominations at the 2018 Grammy Awards and won Best Rock Album for the double EP From the Fires. The band's success reinforced Lava's connection to guitar-driven rock while broadening its international profile. The Lava name has since been used across adjacent creative businesses. Flom founded Lava Publishing in 2014, with writers and performers including Evan Konrad, Maty Noyes, and the members of Greta Van Fleet associated with its roster. He also founded Lava for Good, a podcast company whose productions have included the true-crime and criminal-justice series Bone Valley and Earwitness. Thus, Lava's broader identity encompasses a record label, a music-publishing operation, and an audio-content venture, although Lava Records remains the core music-label subject.
- 2018
Greta Van Fleet wins a Grammy
[1]Greta Van Fleet wins Best Rock Album for From the Fires at the Grammy Awards.
- 2017
Greta Van Fleet joins Lava
[1]Lava signs Greta Van Fleet, supporting the band's subsequent rise in the global rock market.
- 2014
Lava Publishing is founded
[1]Jason Flom establishes Lava Publishing as a related music-publishing venture.
- 2013
Lorde's "Royals" becomes a global hit
[1]Lava releases "Royals," which reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and leads to major awards recognition for Lorde.
- 2011
Jessie J breakthrough
[1]Lava-associated releases by Jessie J, including "Price Tag," achieve major international chart success.
- 2008
Lava is relaunched
[1]Flom relaunches Lava Records through a partnership with Republic Records, part of Universal Music Group.
- 2004
Sale to Atlantic Records Group
[1]Flom sells Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group and becomes the group's chairman and chief executive officer.
- 1995
Lava Records is founded
[1]Jason Flom launches Lava Records in partnership with Atlantic Records.
Products and positioning
An artist-development-oriented record label with a strong alternative and rock identity, complemented by commercially successful pop releases and major-label distribution partnerships.
Recorded music · 1995
Lava Records releases
The label's principal output is recorded music released by its artist roster. Its catalog spans alternative rock, hard rock, pop, pop-rock, hip-hop, adult alternative, and crossover projects. Notable releases associated with the label include Lorde's "Royals," Jessie J's early singles, and Greta Van Fleet's From the Fires.
Music publishing · 2014
Lava Publishing
Founded by Jason Flom in 2014, Lava Publishing is an affiliated publishing venture for songwriters and artist-writers. Reference material associates it with Evan Konrad, Maty Noyes, and the members of Greta Van Fleet.
Rock EP · 2017
From the Fires
Greta Van Fleet's double EP From the Fires is one of the label's prominent rock releases. It helped establish the band's international profile and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album.
Single · 2013
Lorde's "Royals"
Released through Lava in 2013, "Royals" was Lorde's breakthrough single. Its restrained production and alternative-pop presentation crossed into the mainstream and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Brand decisions
2017
Sign and develop Greta Van FleetProduct launchBackground
Lava continued its emphasis on developing guitar-oriented rock acts after earlier work with artists such as Black Veil Brides and Andy Black.
Action taken
Jason Flom signed Greta Van Fleet to Lava Records.
Aftermath
The band achieved major rock-radio and touring momentum, received four Grammy nominations in 2018, and won Best Rock Album for From the Fires.
2013
Release Lorde's "Royals"Product launchBackground
Lava identified and signed Lorde while she was still an emerging artist from New Zealand.
Action taken
The label released "Royals" as Lorde's breakthrough single.
Aftermath
The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Lorde major international awards recognition.
2008
Relaunch Lava through Republic RecordsStrategyBackground
After holding senior positions at Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group, Jason Flom returned to operating his own label brand.
Action taken
Flom relaunched Lava Records in partnership with Republic Records, a Universal Music Group label.
Aftermath
The new arrangement provided a platform for later successes involving Jessie J, Lorde, and Greta Van Fleet.
2004
Sell Lava Records to Atlantic Records GroupM&ABackground
After nearly a decade of operation with Atlantic as its partner, Jason Flom transferred ownership of Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group.
Action taken
Atlantic Records Group acquired the label, while Flom moved into the group's top executive role.
Aftermath
The transaction integrated Lava into the Atlantic structure and was followed by Flom's work on additional artist signings, including Paramore.
Recent events
- 2017
Lava signs Greta Van Fleet[1]
Product launch
Lava signed Greta Van Fleet, whose subsequent rock releases generated international attention, major chart results, and Grammy recognition.
- 2013
Lava releases Lorde's "Royals"[1]
Product launch
Lava released Lorde's debut single "Royals," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became the artist's international breakthrough.
- 2011
Lava releases Jessie J's international breakthrough singles[1]
Product launch
Jessie J's Lava-associated singles "Do It Like a Dude" and "Price Tag" featuring B.o.B. achieved major chart success in the United Kingdom and other countries.
- 2008
Lava Records is relaunched with Republic Records[1]
M&A
Jason Flom relaunched the label through a partnership with Universal Music Group's Republic Records.
- 2004
Lava Records is sold to Atlantic Records Group[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Flom sold Lava Records to Atlantic Records Group and became chairman and chief executive officer of the group.
- 1995
Lava Records is founded in partnership with Atlantic Records[1]
Other
Jason Flom launched Lava Records with Atlantic Records as its initial major-label partner.
Sources1 sources
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