Mouthwatering Records

What Mouthwatering Records does

Mouthwatering Records is a Swiss independent record label founded in 2003 and headquartered in Bern, operating across the indie music ecosystem through two sub-imprints: the flagship Mouthwatering Records label (covering rock, electronic, folk, and world music with acts such as IKAN HYU, Black Sea Dahu, Billie Bird, and To Athena) and Home Crowd Recordings (focused on urban and Afro-influenced music with artists including Cali P, Kaboo, LUM, A Pass, and Dibby). The label manages a roster of more than 50 artists and provides an integrated suite of services including music production and release, publishing administration, artist management, and live event promotion. Core operations revolve around digital music distribution to major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp, Deezer, Soundcloud) and physical media releases (vinyl and CD) distributed through international partners such as Cool's Music in South Korea, Underdog in France, and Cntct Recordings/PIAS.

The business generates revenue through four primary streams: streaming royalties and digital sales (Bandcamp direct-to-fan), physical media sales, publishing rights administration (with sub-publishing partners like Alter K for France), and live performance fees via a network of European booking agencies (Counterparts, sector3 Live Handpicked, VERTIGO, Just Because, TOURBOmusic). Notable commercial signals include Cali P's track "Herbalist" surpassing 8 million YouTube views and Len Sander exceeding 1 million Spotify plays, demonstrating meaningful but not breakout-scale audience reach. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via streaming platforms and live festival appearances (Rototom Sunsplash, Summerjam, Montreux Jazz Festival, Gurten Festival, Paléo Festival).

The underlying technology stack is standard for an independent label — digital distribution infrastructure, streaming platform integration, Bandcamp storefront, and Songkick ticketing integration. The label is privately held, bootstrapped with no external funding rounds, and operates with a lean team of approximately 5 employees despite an internationally distributed artist roster spanning Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia.

Name

Mouthwatering Records

Website

https://mouthwateringrecords.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mouthwatering Records is a Swiss independent record label in Bern operating two sub-labels (Mouthwatering Records and Home Crowd Recordings), managing 50+ artists across indie, electronic, and Afro-urban music, with distribution via global streaming platforms and international booking and physical distribution partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Music Label Services

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Record Production and Distribution (512250), Music Publishers (512230), Music Publishers (51223)

SIC

Phonograph Records & Prerecorded Audio Tapes & Disks (3652)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Independent record label
• Music publishing services
• Artist management services
• Music distribution services
• Live event promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Bern

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Music Sales and Streaming Royalties: Revenue from digital music sales through Bandcamp and streaming royalties from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Deezer. Artists like Cali P have garnered millions of streams, with his track 'Herbalist' surpassing 8 million views on YouTube.
2. Physical Music Sales: Vinyl and CD releases sold through the label, with international distribution partnerships in South Korea (Cool's Music) and France (Underdog).
3. Publishing Rights: Publishing administration through Mouthwatering Records (World) with sub-publishing partners like Alter K for France. Laskaar's 'Never Met You' EP is published by Mouthwatering Records worldwide.
4. Live Performance Revenue: Concert and festival appearances generating revenue for artists, with bookings handled through agencies like Counterparts, sector3 Live Handpicked, and direct management. Artists perform at major European festivals including Rototom Sunsplash, Summerjam, Montreux Jazz Festival.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mouthwatering Records is a Swiss independent music label headquartered in Bern that signs, develops, produces, distributes, and promotes a roster of more than 50 artists across genres including electronic, indie rock, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, and Afrobeat. The company operates two imprints — Mouthwatering Records and its Afro/urban sub-label Home Crowd Recordings — and runs an integrated business spanning label services, music publishing, artist management, booking, and live event promotion, with both digital and physical distribution worldwide.

Product overview

Mouthwatering Records is a Swiss independent music label operating two imprints: the primary Mouthwatering Records label (featuring artists across rock, electronic, folk, and world music such as IKAN HYU, Black Sea Dahu, Billie Bird, To Athena, Chauffeur et Parlak) and Home Crowd Recordings (focused on urban and Afro-influenced music with artists like Kaboo, LUM, Cali P, and Dibby). Beyond artist recordings, the company provides publishing services, artist management, and live event promotion. Releases span multiple formats including albums, singles, EPs, live recordings, and DJ mixes, distributed through streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, YouTube, and Deezer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Home Crowd Recordings: Sub-imprint of Mouthwatering Records focused on Afro and urban music

Products and services

• Mouthwatering Records (main imprint)
• Home Crowd Recordings
• Music Publishing (Mouthwatering Records / World)
• Artist Management (Band of Wolves / Kaboo)
• Live Events & Booking Promotion

Quantifiable outcome

• Cali P's 'Herbalist' has over 8 million YouTube views
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cool's MusicminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner handling physical and digital releases in South Korea for Filewile and other label artists
• UnderdogminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrance-based distribution partner for physical releases under Mouthwatering Records
• CounterpartscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBooking agency handling IKAN HYU's live performance bookings
• Sector3 Live HandpickedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman booking agency for Len Sander's live performances in Germany
• VERTIGOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian booking agency for Len Sander's live performances in Italy
• Just BecausecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwiss booking agency handling Len Sander (Switzerland) and Laskaar bookings
• Band of WolvescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorld management for Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa's Queen of Gqom)
• DIAPAZONAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEuropean booking agency for Moonchild Sanelly
• Cntct Recordings/PIASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Laskaar's releases
• Alter KminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench sub-publishing partner for Laskaar's publishing (World: Mouthwatering Records, France: Alter K)
• TOURBOmusiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBooking agency for JPTR's live performances
• Home Crowd RecordingscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSub-label under Mouthwatering Records focused on Afro hip-hop and Ugandan artists including Kaboo, LUM, A Pass, Dibby, Cali P

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Because Music: Paris-based independent label group with sub-imprints across genres (electro, rock, world) and an integrated publishing arm. Comparable to Mouthwatering as a Continental European indie operating multiple sub-labels with worldwide continental distribution.
• Stones Throw Records: Los Angeles-based independent label focused on left-field hip-hop, electronic, and beat music. Comparable to Mouthwatering in roster scale (mid-sized indie with sub-imprints), DIY ethos, and reliance on niche artist development.
• Ninja Tune: London-based independent label and publisher covering electronic, indie, and experimental music with worldwide distribution and a publishing arm. Comparable to Mouthwatering in offering integrated label plus publishing services across multiple genres and an international touring push.
• Partisan Records: Independent label with roster spanning indie rock, electronic, and world music, plus publishing arm. Comparable to Mouthwatering in size, sub-label structure, and genre diversity across international acts.
• !K7 Records: Berlin-based independent label known for DJ-Kicks and genre-spanning electronic/indie releases with global distribution. Comparable as a European-rooted indie label with curated rosters, physical/digital distribution, and a publishing-adjacent rights portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Secretly Group: US-based parent of indie labels (Secretly Canadian, Jagjaguwar, Dead Oceans) with publishing arm. Comparable model of multi-imprint indie label group with publishing administration, but operating at significantly larger scale and roster.
• Warp Records: Established UK independent label specializing in electronic and experimental music with global catalog value. Comparable to Mouthwatering's electronic-facing imprint but materially larger in catalog, headcount, and distribution reach.

Others

• AWAL: Recorded music services company offering distribution, marketing, and publishing administration to independent artists and labels. Comparable as a non-traditional alternative to traditional label services but operates as a platform rather than a curated label.

Regional players

• Konkurrent: Dutch independent label and distributor with a comparable mid-sized roster across indie, electronic, and world music. Comparable to Mouthwatering as a small European indie label with international release activity and physical distribution.

Emerging players

• Mavin Records: Nigeria-based independent label focused on Afrobeats and African pop with global distribution. Comparable to Mouthwatering's Home Crowd Recordings sub-imprint in its focus on African artists and global diaspora streaming growth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/mouthwateringrecords
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mouthwatering-records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Mouthwatering Records