Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is a Seattle-based independent record label founded in 1998, representing an active roster and alumni catalog of indie and alternative rock artists including Death Cab for Cutie, Phantogram, and Nada Surf. It sells physical and digital music directly to consumers via a Shopify storefront and distributes through Redeye wholesale, Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Barsuk Records does
Barsuk Records is an independent record label founded in 1998 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, operating with a staff of 1-10. The label maintains an active roster of approximately 28 artists and a deep alumni catalog of roughly 40 acts spanning indie, alternative, and folk rock, including commercially significant names such as Death Cab for Cutie, Phantogram, Nada Surf, and Rilo Kiley. Its core offering is recorded music released on physical formats (vinyl, CDs, cassettes) and digital, supported by merchandise, licensing, and radio promotion functions. The company was named after the founders' pet dog, Barsuk (a Russian word meaning "badger"), and has operated continuously as a privately held, founder-owned business without external investment.
Barsuk distributes its catalog through a multi-channel stack: a direct-to-consumer online storefront powered by Shopify, US wholesale distribution via Redeye, international distribution (covering North America and Europe), and digital retail through Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon. Physical releases are also placed at independent record stores nationwide, with exclusive vinyl pressings issued for annual Record Store Day events. Marketing is driven through the company website, an email newsletter, and artist social media presence rather than paid acquisition. The shop was temporarily closed for relocation to a new warehouse space as of mid-2025, though the label itself remains actively operating with new releases and roster activity.
The business model is unit-based commerce with no disclosed subscription or recurring pricing: physical products are sold at fixed unit prices with per-customer purchase limits to deter resellers, and digital albums are sold through third-party retailers at standard pricing. Revenue streams include physical music sales, digital album sales, and merchandise, with sync licensing and radio promotion as ancillary functions. As a privately held independent label with no public reporting, Barsuk does not disclose financials.
Barsuk Records firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Barsuk Records
- Legal name
- Barsuk Records
- Website
- https://barsuk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Barsuk Records is a Seattle-based independent record label founded in 1998, representing an active roster and alumni catalog of indie and alternative rock artists including Death Cab for Cutie, Phantogram, and Nada Surf. It sells physical and digital music directly to consumers via a Shopify storefront and distributes through Redeye wholesale, Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Barsuk Records industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Record Label
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (51225)
- SIC
- Retail-Record & Prerecorded Tape Stores (5735)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Download Stores & Digital Music Retail (Transactional) (MPAIACAM)
Keywords
Where Barsuk Records is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Barsuk Records business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel
Revenue model
- Physical Music Sales: Sales of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes through the Barsuk online shop and retail distribution network. Limited edition color vinyl pressings and reissues command premium pricing.
- Digital Album Sales: Digital versions of releases sold at Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers. Downloads included with vinyl purchases.
- Merchandise: Sale of artist merchandise including shirts, posters, and other branded items through the online shop.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Barsuk Records product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Barsuk Records is an independent record label that signs, releases, and distributes music from a curated roster of indie artists on physical formats (vinyl records, CDs, cassettes) and digital platforms. The label operates a direct-to-consumer online shop and also sells branded merchandise including shirts, posters, and miscellaneous items. Wholesale distribution to independent record stores is handled via US distributor Redeye, while digital albums are sold through Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon.
Product overview
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, WA, representing a roster of active artists and alumni. The label operates primarily through its direct-to-consumer online shop (powered by Shopify), which sells physical music releases (vinyl, CDs, cassettes), digital albums, merchandise (shirts, posters), and other items. Physical releases are also distributed through US wholesale distributor Redeye and international distributors, while digital albums are sold through Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers. The company also maintains a video section featuring music videos from its artists.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Physical Music Releases Independent label releases on physical formats including vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes from a curated roster of indie artists. Limited edition color vinyl pressings and reissues are offered. Sold to music fans and collectors via the online shop and record stores.
- Digital Albums Digital versions of label releases available for purchase and download via Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, and other digital retailers. Downloads are also included with vinyl purchases.
- Barsuk Records Online Shop Direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront selling physical releases, digital downloads, merchandise (shirts, posters), and miscellaneous items. Operated on the Shopify platform.
Companies that use Barsuk Records
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Barsuk Records technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Barsuk Records partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RedeyecoreUS distributor for wholesale and retail distribution of Barsuk releases to record stores.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Barsuk Records competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sub Pop Records: Seattle-based independent label founded in 1986, sharing Barsuk's hometown and indie-rock focus. Sub Pop operates a similar model combining artist development, physical releases, and digital distribution, and serves as the most direct geographic and stylistic peer.
- Polyvinyl Record Co. Small-to-mid size US independent label with a comparable roster of indie rock artists and similar reliance on vinyl pressings, DTC mail order, and physical retail. Comparable in scale and operating philosophy to Barsuk.
- Merge Records: Durham, NC-based independent label with a comparable artist-development model and respected indie roster. Merge mirrors Barsuk's emphasis on artist longevity, vinyl releases, and curated indie talent.
- Jagjaguwar: Independent label known for indie and folk-leaning artists with similar label size, curated roster approach, and emphasis on quality vinyl pressings comparable to Barsuk's strategy.
- Kill Rock Stars: Oregon-based independent label with a similar scale, indie/rock focus, and commitment to physical releases. Comparable in operating model and roster size to Barsuk.
- Secretly Canadian: Indiana-based independent label group with comparable indie/alternative roster, vinyl-first strategy, and multi-artist catalog approach. Operates at a similar segment to Barsuk though slightly larger in scale.
- Saddle Creek Records: Omaha-based independent label with a comparable indie-rock roster and similar reliance on physical and digital distribution. Closely comparable in size, philosophy, and catalog composition.
- K Records: Olympia, WA-based independent label with deep Pacific Northwest indie roots and a similar small-scale, curated approach to indie releases. Geographic and stylistic peer to Barsuk.
Broad incumbents
- Matador Records: Beggers Group-owned independent label with a similar indie-rock focus but significantly larger scale, broader roster, and deeper distribution. Provides a benchmark for what an indie label of this genre can scale into.
- Epitaph Records: Larger independent punk/indie label with overlapping catalog style and physical-distribution emphasis. Provides a broader comparison point for vinyl-driven indie label economics at scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Barsuk Records social profiles
Digital presenceBarsuk Records financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Barsuk Records leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Barsuk Records funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Barsuk Records M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Barsuk Records
What does Barsuk Records do?
Barsuk Records is an independent record label that signs, releases, and distributes music from a curated roster of indie artists on physical formats (vinyl records, CDs, cassettes) and digital platforms. The label operates a direct-to-consumer online shop and also sells branded merchandise including shirts, posters, and miscellaneous items. Wholesale distribution to independent record stores is handled via US distributor Redeye, while digital albums are sold through Bandcamp, iTunes, and Amazon.
Is Barsuk Records a public or private company?
Barsuk Records is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Barsuk Records founded?
Barsuk Records was founded in 1998. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Barsuk Records based?
Barsuk Records is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Barsuk Records make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Physical Music Sales are the primary driver. The others are digital Album Sales and merchandise.
Who are Barsuk Records's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sub Pop Records, Polyvinyl Record Co., Merge Records, Jagjaguwar, Kill Rock Stars, Secretly Canadian, Saddle Creek Records and K Records. Broad incumbents are Matador Records and Epitaph Records.
Does Barsuk Records have an API?
No public API is recorded for Barsuk Records.
What industry is Barsuk Records in?
Barsuk Records's product category is Independent Record Label. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAAAA, Record Labels (Major & Independent), with a secondary code of MPAIACAM, Download Stores & Digital Music Retail (Transactional). Its NAICS code is 51225 and its SIC code is 5735.