Pride & Joy Music

Pride & Joy Music is an independent German record label based in Ascheberg, founded in early 2015 by Birgitt Schwanke. Schwanke has been the owner of the PR agency GerMusica since 2002, is a former owner of the music magazine Rock It!, and was a co-owner of the Yesterrock label. The label focuses on traditional AOR, melodic rock, hard rock and heavy metal, with a roster that includes both established acts and newer bands. Its catalogue spans classic rock, AOR, traditional hard rock, 1980s heavy metal, power metal, symphonic metal, melodic gothic rock and metal, and modern melodic hard rock. Artists associated with the label include Asgard, Black Majesty, Bonfire, Tina Schüssler, Dominoe, Eigensinn, Hartmann, Squealer and Tragedian, and the label has also released the back catalogue of German power metal band Empire. Distribution is handled by Believe Music, Cargo Records and Sound Pollution, with physical distribution in Germany and Austria by Soulfood Music Distribution GmbH, in Scandinavia by Border Music, and in the United Kingdom by Cargo Records. The label also operates a sub-label, Pride & Joy Music Classixx, dedicated to rare, sold-out and unreleased older material. Pride & Joy Music accepts band applications directly via email and maintains an online store at shop.prideandjoy.de.

Pride & Joy Music was founded in early 2015 by Birgitt Schwanke, a music industry veteran who has owned the PR agency GerMusica since 2002, formerly owned the music magazine Rock It!, and was a co-owner of the Yesterrock label. The label is based in Ascheberg, Germany, and specializes in rock, blues and heavy metal. From its inception, Pride & Joy Music positioned itself as a traditional AOR, melodic rock and hard rock label, catering to fans of classic 1980s-oriented rock and metal. Over the years, the label built a roster that includes Asgard, Black Majesty, Bonfire, Tina Schüssler, Dominoe, Eigensinn, Hartmann, Squealer and Tragedian, among others. It also released the back catalogue of German power metal band Empire. The label's output covers classic rock, AOR, traditional hard rock, 1980s heavy metal, power metal, symphonic metal, melodic gothic rock and metal, and modern melodic hard rock. Distribution for Pride & Joy Music is handled by Believe Music, Cargo Records and Sound Pollution, with physical distribution in Germany and Austria by Soulfood Music Distribution GmbH, in Scandinavia by Border Music, and in the United Kingdom by Cargo Records. The label operates a sub-label, Pride & Joy Music Classixx, which focuses on rare, sold-out and unreleased older material from bands that fit the main genres. Pride & Joy Music accepts band applications directly via email and maintains an online store at shop.prideandjoy.de. The label continues to release new music, with upcoming releases scheduled into 2026.

• 2026

  Upcoming releases scheduled through 2026.

• 2015

  Pride & Joy Music founded by Birgitt Schwanke in Ascheberg, Germany.

Traditional AOR, melodic rock and hard rock label with a focus on physical and digital releases for niche rock and metal audiences.

• Pride & Joy Music releases

  CD, vinyl and digital releases in AOR, melodic rock, hard rock and heavy metal genres.

• Pride & Joy Music Classixx

  Sub-label for rare, sold-out and unreleased older material.

1. 1Pride & Joy Music – Just another WordPress siteprideandjoy.de
2. 2About Us – Pride & Joy Musicprideandjoy.de
3. 3Pride & Joy Musicwikidata.org
4. 4Pride & Joy Musicde.wikipedia.org