NIIS sign to Rise Records, announce upcoming EP ‘Play NIIS’ and share new single ‘Earthquakes’

Los Angeles band Niis have announced their signing to Rise Records and shared details of their new EP “Play Niis” – set for release October 23. The band have also shared the album’s first single “Earthquakes,” which is available now on all streaming platforms and joined by an official music video directed by Jake Woodbridge.

Elaborating on “Earthquakes” and joining the Rise roster, Doe shared, 

“It’s a song about growing through pain and heartbreak. Coming to terms with lost love and the profound scars it can leave on your heart. In a way, it’s a love letter to heartbreak itself. Working with Rise has been a dream. They truly are a label who have cultivated such an amazing environment for us to thrive and experiment.”

Commenting on the EP, vocalist Mimi Doe shared 

“Picture this, you’ve just left the movies at the mall, your mom is calling you on your brand new flip phone. You ignore it and walk into the nearest hot topic. A song you haven’t heard before is playing on the speakers. They don’t have the cd you wanted and he hasn’t texted you back, so you go home, flip on the tube, Buffy’s on and she’s listening to that same song. That’s the vibe we’re going for here with Play Niis.”

Produced by Austin Coupe and Michael Schuman, on “Play Niis” the Los Angeles punk band embraces a more melodic, expansive side of themselves without losing the visceral energy that has defined them on prior releases. Written through periods of heartbreak, upheaval and uncertainty, the six-song EP is ultimately about the search for joy and human connection in an increasingly disconnected world—music as a way to feel alive, process pain and find something beautiful in the chaos.

Pre-order here.

“Play Niis” tracklisting:

1. Bad Aim
2. Big Fish Baby
3. Earthquakes
4. Take Your Mess
5. No Flowers
6. Westside

Niis—pronounced “Nice”—have spent the past several years building a reputation for music that is as confrontational as it is deeply human. Formed in 2020 by vocalist Mimi Doe and guitarist Ryan McGuffin, the band introduced themselves with Not Niis (2020), followed it with Must Be… (2022), and released their debut album Niis World in 2025. Now joined by bassist Izzy and drummer Jonathan Salvo, Niis return with Play Niis, their Rise Records debut. If their earlier records were defined by rage and volatility, Play Niis finds the band leaning into melody, vulnerability and connection while continuing to confront the world around them.