Cleopatra Records

What Cleopatra Records does

Cleopatra Records is a privately held, founder-owned independent record label founded in 1992 by Brian and Yvonne Perera in Los Angeles, California. The company produces and distributes physical music media — vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and DVDs/Blu-Rays — across an unusually broad genre range that originally centered on goth and industrial and has expanded to include punk, metal, prog, reggae, folk, and country, with artist relationships spanning legacy acts (Engelbert Humperdinck, Melanie) to cult and contemporary names (Danzig, L.A. Guns, Christian Death). The business is anchored on a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront (cleorecs.com, powered by Shopify) that ships to 180+ countries with localized currency and payment options, supplemented by streaming distribution via Spotify and Apple Music.

The product surface extends beyond recorded music into authenticated collectibles (hand-signed items and numbered test pressings priced $125-$350+, each paired with a Certificate of Authenticity), branded merchandise (apparel, accessories, art), curated media-plus-merch bundles, a twice-monthly podcast (Pirate Radio Cleopatra on Mixcloud), and a film/documentary production arm (Cleopatra Entertainment). A portfolio of sub-label imprints — Deadline Music, Goldenlane Records, Purple Pyramid Records, Anarchy Records, Big Eye Records, Stardust Records, and Xray Records — provides genre-segmented catalog architecture. The company also operates music licensing services for sync, film, TV, advertising, and games.

Revenue is generated through unit-priced transactions across four primary streams: physical music sales (vinyl, CD, cassette, DVD/Blu-Ray), merchandise, premium authenticated collectibles, and licensing royalties. Distribution is almost entirely direct-to-consumer through the owned Shopify storefront, with global shipping and periodic promotional events (such as up-to-50%-off seasonal sales). The company expanded operations in 2026 by opening a new Austin, TX headquarters while retaining its original Hollywood, CA office on the Sunset Strip. Cleopatra Records remains privately held with no external institutional investment, no disclosed revenue, and no disclosed headcount in the source material.

Name

Cleopatra Records

Legal name

Cleopatra Records, Inc.

Website

https://cleorecs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cleopatra Records is a privately held independent record label founded in 1992, selling physical music (vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs), authenticated signed collectibles, merchandise, and licensed catalog across diverse genres worldwide via direct-to-consumer e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Record Label

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Music Publishers (512230)

SIC

Retail-Record & Prerecorded Tape Stores (5735), Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Merchandising & D2C Management (Artists) (MPAIAGAI), Music Rights Administration & Royalty Processing (Admin, Accounting, Statements) (MPAIAKAD), Brand Partnerships & Music Placement Services (Non-Exclusive Brand Deals) (MPAIALAM)

Keywords

• Independent record label
• Vinyl record sales
• Physical music media
• Music merchandise
• Authenticated collectibles

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Physical Music Sales: Direct sales of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and DVDs through e-commerce platform to collectors and music fans globally
2. Merchandise: Sale of apparel, accessories, and collectibles including tote bags, t-shirts, posters, and art items
3. Authenticated Collectibles: Premium priced signed items and test pressings with Certificate of Authenticity for dedicated collectors
4. Licensing: Music licensing services for use of catalog content

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cleopatra Records is an independent record label founded in 1992 by Brian & Yvonne Perera that produces, distributes, and sells physical music media—including vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs/Blu-Rays, and books—directly to consumers worldwide through its own e-commerce storefront cleorecs.com. The company also offers authenticated signed collectibles with Certificates of Authenticity, branded merchandise, curated bundles, and music licensing services for its catalog spanning goth, industrial, punk, metal, reggae, prog, folk, and more.

Product overview

Cleopatra Records is an independent record label founded in 1992 by Brian & Yvonne Perera, operating as a fiercely independent music company. The core offering centers on physical music media including vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and DVDs/Blu-Rays across diverse genres (rock, goth, industrial, punk, metal, reggae, folk, prog, and more). The portfolio includes the main Cleopatra Records label plus sub-imprints (Deadline Music, Goldenlane Records, Purple Pyramid Records) and Cleopatra Entertainment for film/documentary production. Beyond music sales, the company offers authenticated signed collectibles with Certificates of Authenticity, merchandise (apparel, accessories, posters), curated bundles combining media with merchandise, a podcast (Pirate Radio Cleopatra), music licensing services, and collector's guides. The company ships globally to 180+ countries and operates dual headquarters in Los Angeles and Austin, TX.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vinyl Records Extensive vinyl record catalog featuring new releases, reissues, colored vinyl variants, and limited edition pressings across multiple genres including rock, metal, punk, goth, and industrial; sold to music collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
• CDs Compact disc releases including new albums, deluxe editions, box sets, and reissues from diverse artists spanning multiple genres.
• Cassettes Cassette tape releases featuring select artists, often available as bundled packages with merchandise items.
• DVDs and Blu-Rays Video content including concert performances, documentaries, and films spanning 473+ titles including music documentaries, live shows, and horror/entertainment titles.
• Books Music-related books, biographies, and collector's guides including hardcover books, some with signed editions and collectible bundles.
• Merchandise Branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts), accessories (tote bags, drawstring backpacks, necklaces), and collectible items sold to music fans.
• Authenticated Collectibles Verified signed items and rare test pressings, each paired with a Certificate of Authenticity from Cleopatra Records. Includes signed vinyl, CDs, posters, photos, and limited edition collectibles for dedicated collectors.
• Music Licensing Services Music licensing services for use of Cleopatra Records catalog including sync licensing for film, TV, advertising, and video games.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Darker Waves FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic festival featuring post-punk, darkwave, new wave and goth acts; Cleopatra artists and collaborators featured
• MixcloudminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting platform for Pirate Radio Cleopatra podcast

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sacred Bones Records: NYC-based independent label focused on darkwave, post-punk, goth, and experimental music with strong physical media emphasis (vinyl-forward) and boutique artist roster. Highly comparable to Cleopatra given shared genre roots, indie structure, and collector-focused vinyl business model.
• Nuclear Blast Records: Independent heavy metal and hard rock label with broad global distribution and large physical media catalog. Comparable as an indie label with deep metal/rock artist rosters and physical-first release strategy across vinyl, CD, and limited editions.
• Metal Blade Records: Long-running independent metal label founded in 1982, with significant physical media business and legacy artist roster. Comparable as an established indie label with multi-decade catalog and collector-focused offerings.
• Century Media Records: Independent metal and rock label with broad genre coverage across death metal, hardcore, punk, and alternative. Comparable as a multi-genre indie label with deep physical media catalog and global artist roster.
• Earache Records: Independent extreme metal and grindcore label founded in 1985, known for physical media catalog and limited edition collector releases. Comparable as a niche-anchored indie label with deep legacy catalog and collector focus.

Broad incumbents

• Epitaph Records: Major independent punk and alternative rock label with anti-corporate positioning and broad artist roster. Comparable as an established independent label with physical media business, multiple sub-imprints, and global distribution, though larger scale than Cleopatra.
• Sub Pop Records: Iconic independent label known for grunge/alternative heritage and broad rock roster. Comparable as a long-running independent label with deep physical media heritage and established catalog, though at significantly larger scale.

Regional players

• Darkside Records: Italy-based independent label specializing in gothic, darkwave, and post-punk reissues. Comparable as a niche dark/goth indie label with strong physical media and reissue focus, though primarily serving the European market.

Emerging players

• Cold Spring Records: UK-based independent label focused on industrial, noise, dark ambient, and experimental music with collector vinyl editions. Comparable as a small indie label in adjacent dark/industrial niches with physical media emphasis.
• BFD / Blasteroid Records: Independent rock label and distributor with strong physical media catalog covering classic rock, prog, and metal reissues. Comparable as a smaller-scale indie label with back-catalog reissue model and collector-focused physical media offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cleopatrarecord
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CleopatraRecords
• Facebookfacebook.com/theblackroommovie
• Instagraminstagram.com/cleopatrarecords
• TikToktiktok.com/@cleopatra.records
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleopatra-records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleopatra Records