Founded in 2009 by
Hollerado front man
Menno Versteeg and Adam “Bix” Berger, the label was originally intended as a means to self release Hollerado's debut Record in a Bag (RMR-001). It soon became a platform to launch the careers of other local Toronto artists such as
PUP and
Alvvays.[3] Upon the success of these releases, the label signed international acts such as
Mac DeMarco,
Metz and
U.S. Girls, while continuing to support local artists such as
Calpurnia[4] and
Dizzy. Recent additions to the Royal Mountain roster include Shady Nasty, Bad Waitress, Ellis, KOKOKO!,
Nap Eyes, and
Wolf Parade. In 2018, it was hailed by Now Magazine as one of the strongest rock record labels in Toronto.[5]
Mental health initiative
In 2019, Royal Mountain Records implemented a mental health fund for the artists signed to the label in order to provide $1,500 (non-recoupable) to put towards their mental health.[6][7] Royal Mountain is the first label to start a program like this.[2][8]