The short answer to this question is, It depends - but I’m open to it. The long answer requires a bit more dissecting and understanding. Of course the lure from the 80’s to early 2010’s was “Sign a deal” and you know you’ve made it. I think we’ve heard enough horror stories to know it's not always that easy. Between splits and creative control, the journey can be dicey.
Personally, I’m still really early in my journey and I don’t believe TDR has reached its potential yet. (Which is actually the perfect place for a partner to come in) However, that could also be risky for the label and TDR. We’re still finding our audience, building trust and reputation, and learning where to push and when.
However, I think I bring some unique elements to the table with a heavy emphasis in marketing and business background before the artistic piece. Which is a flip flop for most artists out there, and I think I could help craft strategy and understand the goals that need to happen before certain milestones prior to just “get me in the studio”.
Though there are some labels I see in the space now that I would certainly consider if they approached.
The Contenders: 5 Labels That Make Me Ask "What If?"
Admittingly, my goals wouldn't just be about chasing an advance or handing over master rights for vanity. It would have to come down to alignment, shared culture, and whether a partner genuinely understands guitar-heavy alternative music driven by faith.
When I look across the current landscape, these are five imprints doing notable work across very different corners of the industry:
1. Tooth & Nail Records
The absolute blueprint. If you grew up on skate punk, post-hardcore, and early-2000s alternative rock, Brandon Ebel’s imprint was practically the soundtrack to your life. It was mine. Tooth & Nail essentially invented the blueprint for bands that wanted to play authentic, loud, guitar-driven music without having to conform to squeaky-clean CCM tropes. While the label today leans heavier into heritage rosters, indie-pop, and the metalcore dominance of their Solid State sister imprint, their legacy and machinery are unmatched. Signing here would be the ultimate nod to the bands that made me want to plug an electric guitar into an amp in the first place—though you always have to weigh whether a historic legacy imprint fits a modern, nimble release strategy.
What The Daytime Rivalry would bring to Tooth And Nail Records: I would be a perfect example of Legacy in the label. Having already released tracks with two of their previous artists (Jason Dunn, and KJ-52) I believe I could craft music that could feature their older catalogue and honor the legacy while bringing something fresh yet reflective to the fold. I see Tooth and Nail as a WWE level brand where the blending of new and old benefits all and the business as a whole.
2. Small Step Records
If Tooth & Nail represents the golden era of the past, Small Step feels like the standard-bearer for the modern DIY faith-punk underground. Operating on an artist-first, 501(c)(3) non-profit model, they’ve rallied a tight-knit community around pop punk, emo, skate punk, and melodic hardcore (working with acts like Light The Way and Homeplate). There is no predatory corporate baggage here; it’s run by people who genuinely care about the scene and want to put out fast drums, big choruses, and honest lyrics. If TDR ever wanted a label home that felt like family and prioritized heart over profit margins, Small Step sits right at the top of that conversation.
What The Daytime Rivalry would bring to Small Step Records: Small Step is full of genuine hearts through nationwide approach. However, they are missing representation of bands in the southern states of the USA. Being from Texas, I would love to represent the DIY culture of the label throughout the south and open up optional touring routes for other bands through Texas.
3. Wings Music Group
Wings represents the exact opposite end of the strategic spectrum—and that’s why they’re compelling. Founded by former Integrity Music execs, they’ve quietly built a global powerhouse in distribution, artist services, and publishing, recently locking in major joint ventures with Capitol CMG. They aren't an underground punk basement label; they are a modern, high-tier distribution machine designed to scale artists globally while keeping independent roots. (Their current case study of Grace Graber is really compelling) They really do get the idea of how to make splashes while remaining true to who an artist is. A label like Wings would bring serious infrastructure to the table.
What The Daytime Rivalry would bring to Wings Music Group: On this one, I think Wings takes the cake on value here, but I believe with the recent success of Grace Graber - Adding more artists in the Christian Pop Punk Scene would be helpful to strengthen their position in that market. Having one star is one thing. Having a roster of rising stars and supporters for smaller events would continue to push the wings brand forward.
4. Near Kingdom Records
Near Kingdom is fascinating because they’ve built their footprint catering directly to the next wave of listeners. Leaning heavily into Gen Z culture, modern Christian pop, hip-hop crossover, and high-energy community-driven releases, they understand where online discovery happens right now. Even though their core lane leans more pop and youth-driven than raw power chords, you can’t ignore how effectively they connect with a younger audience hungry for meaning. Partnering with a crew like this would be an exercise in crossover—bringing loud guitars into a scene dominated by playlists, TikTok, and viral momentum.
What The Daytime Rivalry would bring to the label: NearKingdom is clear on its focus of “Bringing Jesus To Gen Z Through Music”, however I believe there is a real need for older “Midway Millennials” to create music for the parents of Gen Z that can be shared between them and their Kids. I think The Daytime Rivalry could easily shape future releases to be that. As the closer of “Lost Boy” says. “30 Years Old In My Minivan, Bumpin Old Songs for My Children, Hoping They Find The Hero Within, Just Like When - I Was A Kid…”
5. Resuscitation Records
Pure underground grit. Resuscitation is for the purists who still value physical vinyl, limited cassette runs, and unapologetic hardcore and punk ethics. They don’t chase commercial radio trends or polished Nashville production; they put out raw, aggressive, faith-fueled heavy music for the people who still pack out VFW halls and care deeply about community. While TDR leans melodic and hook-heavy on the pop-punk spectrum, there’s an undeniable mutual respect for anyone keeping the raw, unpolished underground alive in the Christian alternative scene.
What The Daytime Rivalry would bring to Resuscitation Records: Most of Resuscitation's catalog sits strictly in aggressive, raw, heavy territory. The Daytime Rivalry brings radio-ready, driving pop-punk hooks that provide their roster with an accessible, melodic entry point without sacrificing punk authenticity.
Honorable Mentions: 4 More Labels That Need Mentioning
As the ultimate grassroots watering hole for faith-fueled pop punk and skate punk, partnering with IVM would plug TDR straight into the most passionate, plugged-in DIY community in the scene.
Thumper Punk is the undisputed home for raw, duct-tape-and-distortion street punk, and teaming up with them would be our badge of honor and direct nod to the underground basement circuit that keeps genuine punk rock alive.
Facedown is a legendary heavy powerhouse run with unmatched integrity and fan loyalty, and while they specialize in metalcore, having a partner of that caliber would be the ultimate platform for TDR to showcase our hardest-hitting, dynamic alternative rock edge.
9. Common Thread Records
Common Thread Records is the home of some of TDR’s favorite bands and friends Further North and Brave Days.
Conclusion
Overall, this was really fun to put some thought into and consider the options and advantages. Once again, I think alignment is important. But even more so is the question of “What is God’s desire for The Daytime Rivalry?” seeking him would be so important in a decision like that.
I look forward to the future of The Daytime Rivalry and if being a signed artist is a part of that. I’m stoked! If not, God is in control.