Circus Records
Circus Records is an independent London-based bass music record label founded in 2009, operating the Circus Family of imprints (Circus Records, Circus Electric, DPMO Records) for a roster of 100+ electronic music artists and serving their global fan base through streaming distribution and branded merchandise.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Circus Records does
Circus Records is an independent music record label founded in 2009 in London, United Kingdom, specializing in dubstep, bass music, and electronic dance music. The label operates as the flagship imprint of the 'Circus Family' collective, which encompasses two sister imprints — Circus Electric (focused on innovative, emotional bass music) and DPMO Records. Co-founded by artists Flux Pavilion and Doctor P, the label maintains a roster of 100+ international bass music producers and DJs, including notable names such as FuntCase, Zomboy, Conrank, and Excision, with a catalog that has accumulated 700+ release numbers across its imprints.
Distribution is conducted exclusively through digital channels: music is released directly via the circus-records.co.uk website and licensed to major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, YouTube, and Twitch, while branded merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, hockey jerseys, anniversary apparel) is sold direct-to-consumer through the dedicated circus-records.store storefront. Revenue is generated through two primary streams — licensing royalties on streaming and downloads, and direct merchandise sales — with artist discovery and A&R handled through an online demo submission process via Label Radar, supplemented by multi-platform social media engagement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud, X, and Twitch, plus original content via The Circus Mailer video series.
Circus Records is a private, founder-controlled independent label with 11–50 employees, no disclosed institutional investment, no parent company, and no recorded funding rounds. It serves a global consumer base of bass music enthusiasts, festival/rave attendees, producers/DJs, and brand-following fans; its niche genre focus and digital-first, asset-light operating model limit both the addressable market and the operational complexity relative to mainstream major-label peers.
Circus Records firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Circus Records
- Legal name
- Circus Records
- Website
- https://circus-records.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Circus Records is an independent London-based bass music record label founded in 2009, operating the Circus Family of imprints (Circus Records, Circus Electric, DPMO Records) for a roster of 100+ electronic music artists and serving their global fan base through streaming distribution and branded merchandise.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Circus Records industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Record Label
- NAICS
- Record Production and Distribution (51225), Record Production and Distribution (512250)
- SIC
- Retail-Nonstore Retailers (5960)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Master Rights Ownership & Catalog Management (MPAIAAAB)
Keywords
Where Circus Records is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Circus Records business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Music Releases: Revenue from digital music releases across streaming platforms and direct downloads. The label releases singles, EPs, and albums from their roster of 100+ artists including Flux Pavilion, Doctor P, FuntCase, Zomboy, and many more bass music producers.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including clothing (t-shirts, hoodies), accessories, and memorabilia through their dedicated merch store at circus-records.store.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Circus Records product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Circus Records is an independent record label that releases, distributes, and promotes dubstep, bass music, and electronic dance music through digital streaming platforms worldwide. The label operates multiple imprints (Circus Records, Circus Electric, DPMO Records) under the Circus Family collective, managing a roster of 100+ artists and selling branded merchandise through a dedicated e-commerce storefront.
Product overview
Circus Records is an independent music record label founded in 2009 by Flux Pavilion and Doctor P, operating as part of the Circus Family collective alongside Circus Electric and DPMO Records. The label specializes in dubstep, bass music, and electronic dance music, releasing tracks from a roster of international artists. The Circus Family collectively releases music through two primary imprints: Circus Records (the flagship label) and Circus Electric (a secondary imprint for innovative bass music). The label also operates a merchandise store and curates official Spotify playlists for different sub-genres and artist selections.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Circus Electric: A sub-imprint of Circus Records focused on innovative, emotional, quality bass music.
- DPMO Records
Products and services
- Circus Records Music Releases The primary record label imprint releasing dubstep, bass music, and electronic dance tracks from a roster of international artists including Flux Pavilion, Doctor P, FuntCase, Zomboy, and Conrank. Distributed globally via streaming platforms and the Circus Records website.
- Circus Records Merchandise Official merchandise storefront at circus-records.store selling branded apparel and accessories including t-shirts (e.g., Cookie Monsta Tribute Tee, Circus Nintendo Tee), hoodies (e.g., Circus Records 15 Years Hoodie), and specialty items (e.g., Bass Cannon Hockey Jersey) to fans and brand followers.
- Circus Records Spotify Playlists Curated Spotify playlists featuring Circus Records and Circus Electric releases, DPMO releases, and thematic genre collections including 'For the Rave', 'Time To Rage', 'Club Bass Bangers', and 'Circus Records Invites' for music discovery and promotion.
Companies that use Circus Records
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Circus Records technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Circus Records partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Circus ElectriccorePart of the Circus Family collective, Circus Electric is an imprint of Circus Records focused on releasing innovative, emotional bass music. Both labels operate under the same umbrella and share artist rosters and distribution channels.
- DPMO RecordscorePart of the Circus Family collective, DPMO Records is another imprint under the Circus Records umbrella, collectively managing the bass music label ecosystem since 2009.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Circus Records competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- OWSLA: OWSLA is Skrillex's independent label focused on bass, dubstep, and forward-leaning electronic music. Comparable to Circus Records in artist-founder model, bass-music curation, and roster-driven release approach.
- Monstercat: Monstercat is an independent electronic dance music label founded in 2011, releasing across multiple sub-genres and operating its own direct-to-consumer storefront. Highly comparable to Circus Records in independent label model, multi-genre electronic focus, and artist roster scale.
- Disciple Recordings: Disciple Recordings is an independent bass music label focused on dubstep, riddim, and heavy bass releases. Directly comparable to Circus Records in sub-genre specialization and roster of established bass producers.
- Mad Decent: Mad Decent is an independent electronic label founded by Diplo, releasing across dance, bass, and global electronic sub-genres. Comparable to Circus Records in independent electronic release model and artist-driven catalog.
- Never Say Die Records: Never Say Die is a London-based independent bass music label specializing in dubstep, riddim, and drum & bass. Directly comparable to Circus Records in sub-genre focus, geographic base, and artist signings within the UK bass scene.
- Dim Mak Records: Dim Mak is an independent electronic label founded by Steve Aoki releasing across multiple electronic sub-genres with associated merchandise. Comparable to Circus Records in independent label structure and artist-centric release model.
- Kannibalen Records: Kannibalen Records is an independent bass/electronic label with a curated artist roster in dubstep and adjacent genres. Comparable to Circus Records in indie bass label positioning and direct-to-fan merchandising.
- UKF Music: UKF is a UK-founded bass music media platform and label with a deep catalog of dubstep, drum & bass, and bass releases. Directly comparable in sub-genre focus, UK origins, and YouTube/streaming-led distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Insomniac Records: Insomniac Records is the label arm of Insomniac Events, focused on dance and bass music with festival-driven promotion. Comparable to Circus Records in bass/electronic roster strategy while operating at larger scale tied to a festival platform.
- Spinnin' Records: Spinnin' Records is a major electronic dance music label (now part of Warner Music Group) operating across house, dance, and broader EDM. Relevant broader incumbent peer given the wider EDM ecosystem Circus Records competes in for artist signings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Circus Records social profiles
Digital presenceCircus Records financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Circus Records leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Circus Records funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Circus 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 Circus Records
What does Circus Records do?
Circus Records is an independent record label that releases, distributes, and promotes dubstep, bass music, and electronic dance music through digital streaming platforms worldwide. The label operates multiple imprints (Circus Records, Circus Electric, DPMO Records) under the Circus Family collective, managing a roster of 100+ artists and selling branded merchandise through a dedicated e-commerce storefront.
Is Circus Records a public or private company?
Circus Records is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Circus Records founded?
Circus Records was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Circus Records based?
Circus Records is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Circus Records make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Music Releases are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are Circus Records's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are OWSLA, Monstercat, Disciple Recordings, Mad Decent, Never Say Die Records, Dim Mak Records, Kannibalen Records and UKF Music. Broad incumbents are Insomniac Records and Spinnin' Records.
Does Circus Records have an API?
No public API is recorded for Circus Records.
What industry is Circus Records in?
Circus 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 MPAIAAAB, Master Rights Ownership & Catalog Management. Its NAICS code is 51225 and its SIC code is 5960.