Hard Stop Records

Hard Stop Records A Chicago music label on the hunt for artists.

10/31/2025

Hardstop Records wishes you a spooktacular Halloween! đź‘»

Trick or treat yourself to some killer indie tracks this spooky season.

Stream your favorite Hardstop artists and let the music haunt your playlists.

Check out Rock n Roll Chicago's Ep. 254, featuring The Transference.The Transference joined Ray the Roadie & Hollywood M...
10/27/2025

Check out Rock n Roll Chicago's Ep. 254, featuring The Transference.

The Transference joined Ray the Roadie & Hollywood Mike for a dive into the Chicago music scene. Check out conversations around the sound, story, and strange beauty that happens when dark themes meet melodic light.

Tune in & turn it up.

Season 7 | Episode 254 | Oct 7, 2025

Floodlights is here, and it's beautiful.The Transference’s debut album captures the pull between chaos and clarity, with...
10/23/2025

Floodlights is here, and it's beautiful.

The Transference’s debut album captures the pull between chaos and clarity, with an emotional and musical range that will hit you square in the chest.

Grab your copy at one of the city’s best record shops or stream it on Spotify: https://vist.ly/4biad

10/21/2025

You don’t need a big contract or a PR team.

You just need people who believe in your music.

So we created a label where artists get:
🎟️ Recording + album pressing covered
🎟️ Bigger venues + shows with established artists
🎟️ Creative freedom - your sound, your vision
🎟️ Real development + marketing support

We’ll never tell you how to sound. Instead, we're here to help you get heard.

Pick your best songs and tell us who you are. We’ll listen to every single submission.

Chicago’s indie scene doesn’t slow down, and neither do we.Here’s what we’re seeing (and who you shouldn’t sleep on) thi...
10/15/2025

Chicago’s indie scene doesn’t slow down, and neither do we.

Here’s what we’re seeing (and who you shouldn’t sleep on) this month.

Grab a friend, hit a venue, and keep your ears open, your next favorite band might be on this list. 🎶



https://vist.ly/4aj7v

10/07/2025

What's the story behind the song?

When Laura sat down to write Ramone Says I'm The Devil, she had a few thoughts swirling.

She had a goal to write something heavier - something that digs into spirituality, power, and what happens when people feel out of control.

The song explores religion, manipulation, cults, and the way women navigate all of it while still trying to stay empowered.

It’s insightful, loud, and says what needs to be said.

Head to Spotify to listen to it now, and check out the whole album while you're at it.

09/30/2025

What is indie music, really?

Tom breaks it down: it’s not about trends, or big labels, or doing things “right.”

Indie music is meant to be unapologetic. It’s artists making what they want, and a community passing it around saying, “You’ve gotta hear this.”

It's not about rules or hype machines. It's just real music finding the right ears.

Follow for more honest music talk and indie record label advice, straight from Tom.

09/26/2025

What's The Transference's pre-show ritual?

It's equal parts chaos and comfort.

MJ heads straight to the bar, then rejoins the band for laughing, eating, checking in, calming nerves, and locking in before the lights go up.

It’s not just about getting ready to play, it’s about find the ritual that helps a band show up together.

Follow for more behind the mic moments from an indie record label here for Chicago artists and their sound.

09/23/2025

What’s The Transference listening to right now?

Everything from Led Zeppelin to Blackpink, Ratboys to Royel Otis, TV on the Radio to Katseye. It's chaotic, it's eclectic, and it totally makes sense when you hear their new album Floodlights.

Hit play on their recs, then hit play on their new album Floodlights on Spotify.

Floodlights vinyl is ready and waiting for you! Record stores throughout Chicago are stocked up on The Transference’s ne...
09/21/2025

Floodlights vinyl is ready and waiting for you!

Record stores throughout Chicago are stocked up on The Transference’s newest album, have you grabbed yours yet?

Find it at:








Grab yours today!

09/19/2025

Want better stage presence? Tom’s got thoughts.

Don’t just play your set and dip. Talk to the crowd. Ask questions. Tell them why the song exists.

Audiences want to feel connected, so give them something real.

It's about making a moment with the people who support your work.

Follow for more tips, tricks, and insider knowledge on the indie musician scene in Chicago.

09/16/2025

What’s it like being signed to Hardstop?

The Transference says it best. Being with Hardstop means freedom, support, and zero label weirdness.

Creative control, social support, trusting the artist, and handling the behind-the-scenes chaos - Tom and the Hardstop team are all about letting musicians be musicians.

No ego or gatekeeping. Just real belief in the art.

Follow to support a local indie record label just trying to get good musicians heard.

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Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL

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