What n5MD does

n5MD is an independent record label founded in 2000 and based in Oakland, California, specializing in emotive electronic, ambient, IDM, post-rock, and experimental music under the tagline "emotional experiments in music." The label operates as an owner-operated sole proprietorship under Mike Cadoo (also known for the projects Gridlock, Bitcrush, and Dryft), with a roster of international artists and a catalog spanning 339 catalog numbers (MD101-MD339) across physical formats (vinyl, CD, MiniDisc) and digital distribution. Sub-brands n5T (apparel), En:peg Digital (electronic sub-label), and 7ransparen7 (limited 7-inch series) extend the brand surface modestly beyond the core label. The core technology is curatorial and operational rather than platform-based: hand-coded website, owned mailorder system (n5Mailorder), and Bandcamp storefront, with no proprietary technology platform disclosed.

The business model is straightforward music publishing revenue: one-time physical sales (vinyl, CD, MiniDisc) and digital sales/downloads distributed through owned D2C channels (n5Mailorder, Bandcamp) and a global network of independent retail distributors in the UK, EU, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Pricing follows standard indie physical/digital music retail norms; specific price points are not publicly disclosed. No subscription, licensing, or advertising revenue streams are evidenced. The customer base consists of individual ambient and experimental music collectors and enthusiasts — there are no enterprise customers, no B2B contracts, and no high-volume anchor accounts.

Operationally, n5MD runs with 1-10 employees and no external investors, parent company, or venture funding. The label accepts artist demos through Bridge Audio for roster pipeline purposes. The 2024-2025 release cadence has been steady, with multiple LP/CD/Digital launches (Ocoeur, Yulyseus, Dryft, Stray Theories, shedir) and at least one limited collector pressing (Ocoeur's "Breath" limited to 250 transparent vinyl units). The label operates under California governing law and applies standard indie-label terms prohibiting resale, peer-to-peer file sharing, and commercial reuse of downloaded content.

Name

n5MD

Legal name

n5MD

Website

https://n5md.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Independent record label founded in 2000 and based in Oakland, California, releasing emotive electronic, ambient, IDM, and post-rock music across vinyl, CD, MiniDisc, and digital formats through owned mailorder, Bandcamp, and a global network of independent retail distributors, serving individual collectors of experimental music.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Physical Music Sales: Sale of vinyl records, CDs, MiniDiscs, and other physical formats through owned mailorder and retail distribution partners.
2. Digital Music Sales: Digital album and track downloads via Bandcamp and other digital retailers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

n5MD is an independent record label founded in 2000 and based in Oakland, California that produces and distributes emotive electronic, ambient, experimental, post-rock, and IDM music. The label releases music across vinyl, CD, MiniDisc, and digital formats under catalog numbers spanning MD101 to MD339, distributed through its own n5Mailorder service, a Bandcamp storefront, and global retail partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.

Product overview

n5MD is an independent record label based in Oakland, CA operating as a multi-format music publisher under the ethos of 'emotional experiments in music.' The label's core offerings span physical releases (vinyl, CD, MiniDisc) distributed through n5Mailorder and international retail partners, alongside digital distribution via Bandcamp and third-party platforms. The catalog encompasses over 339 catalog numbers featuring ambient, electronic, experimental, shoegaze, post-rock, IDM, and drone genres from a roster of international artists including Dryft, Stray Theories, shedir, Ocoeur, Yulyseus, Proem, Last Days, Near The Parenthesis, and Bitcrush. The label also accepts demos through Bridge Audio for artist submissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• n5T: Merchandise brand for t-shirts and apparel
• En:peg Digital
• 7ransparen7

Products and services

• Physical Music Releases (Vinyl, CD, MiniDisc) Physical music releases by n5MD's signed artists, available in vinyl records, CDs, and MiniDiscs. The catalog spans over 339 numbered releases and includes limited edition pressings such as the 250-unit transparent vinyl run of Ocoeur's 'Breath'. Aimed at individual music collectors and enthusiasts of emotive electronic and experimental music.
• Digital Music Distribution Digital album and track downloads distributed via the Bandcamp storefront (n5md.bandcamp.com) and through third-party digital distribution partners. Provides non-physical access to the full label catalog for individual listeners worldwide.
• n5Mailorder Direct-to-consumer mailorder service operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of n5MD, enabling customers to purchase physical and digital music releases directly from the label without third-party retail intermediaries. Integrates order fulfillment with the main n5MD.com website.
• Artist Roster and Label Catalog The signed artist roster and accumulated catalog of releases on the n5MD label, including artists such as Dryft (Mike Cadoo), Stray Theories (Micah Templeton-Wolfe), shedir (Martina Betti), Ocoeur (Franck Zaragoza), Yulyseus (Niall Gahagan), Loess, Proem, Last Days, Near The Parenthesis, Bitcrush, and Lights Out Asia. Serves as the label's core content offering and the basis for its artist contracting and publishing activity.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SRDcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based distribution partner handling n5MD releases for the British market.
• The Business (Anacortes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS retail partner and distributor for n5MD releases.
• Sonic RendezvouscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean distribution partner for n5MD releases across EU territories.
• Planet Music (Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian distribution and retail partner for n5MD releases.
• Linus Records (Japan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapanese retail partner for n5MD releases.
• Norman Records (UK)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK vinyl and CD retailer for n5MD releases.
• Deejay.de (Germany)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman retail and distribution partner for n5MD releases.
• 37n122wminorOthersAffiliated website linked from n5MD.
• ViasondeminorOthersAffiliated website linked from n5MD.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Kranky: Long-running US indie label focused on ambient, post-rock, and experimental music. Directly comparable as a niche-curated imprint with a multi-decade catalog emphasizing artistic/emotional releases.
• Ghostly International: Independent US label focused on ambient, electronic, and experimental music with both physical and digital distribution. Comparable genre scope, indie scale, and direct-to-consumer + retail channel mix.
• Temporary Residence: US indie label focused on post-rock, ambient, and experimental music. Comparable for its curated roster, vinyl-heavy physical catalog, and emotional/introspective aesthetic.
• Type Records: UK-based experimental electronic label releasing ambient, drone, and IDM. Directly comparable as a small curated imprint with overlapping roster and physical/digital release strategy.
• Constellation Records: Montreal-based indie label focused on post-rock, ambient, and experimental music (including Godspeed You! Black Emperor). Comparable for emotional/cinematic aesthetic and roster overlap with n5MD's post-rock artists.
• Thrill Jockey Records: Long-running US indie label with ambient, electronic, and experimental releases. Comparable in scale and duration as a multi-decade curated indie label with deep catalog and physical/digital distribution.
• 12k: US-based experimental/ambient electronic label with a long-running, curated catalog of minimal and ambient releases. Directly comparable niche focus, format diversity (digital, CD, vinyl), and roster overlap with n5MD's ambient/drone artists.
• Morr Music: Berlin-based indie label specializing in ambient, electronic, and experimental pop. Directly comparable as a small European label with similar curated roster and emotional/atmospheric aesthetic.
• FatCat Records: UK indie label with a roster spanning ambient, post-rock, electronic, and experimental music. Comparable as a small curated imprint with multi-decade history and similar genre overlap.
• Erased Tapes: Independent UK-based label releasing ambient, neoclassical, and experimental electronic music. Directly comparable as a small indie imprint with a curated catalog, vinyl-first releases, and an artist roster that overlaps n5MD's emotional/atmospheric aesthetic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubemixcloud.com/n5MD
• Xx.com/n5MD

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 n5MD