Slumberland Records
An American independent record label associated with indie pop, guitar pop, and other underground music.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Slumberland Records is an American independent record label formed in 1989 in Washington, D.C., and later based in Oakland, California. The label emerged from the local underground music community and was inspired in part by independent punk and pop labels such as K Records. Its original purpose was to provide a home for indie-pop groups that received limited exposure beyond specialist independent-label networks. The label's first release was a split seven-inch single titled "What Kind of Heaven Do You Want?" It featured early line-ups of Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, and Powderburns. The record was sold in December 1989 in an edition of 1,000 copies, with hand-colored elements that reflected the small-scale, do-it-yourself character of the early operation. Slumberland's early catalog was closely connected to the Washington, D.C., indie-pop scene and to a broader network of bands working outside the mainstream recording industry. By 1992, the label was being managed exclusively by Michael Schulman, a former WMUC-FM disc jockey. That year, its operations moved from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Berkeley, California. The relocation placed Slumberland within the Bay Area's established independent-music ecosystem and marked a transition from a collective project toward a more centralized label operation. In 1993, Slumberland introduced an in-house promotional imprint called "I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record." The imprint was distinguished by the use of colored vinyl for releases by developing bands; its first release was Sleepyhead's "Sick of Heaven" seven-inch single. Across its catalog, Slumberland has released singles, extended plays, and albums by artists associated with indie pop, lo-fi pop, guitar pop, post-punk, and related underground styles. Artists connected with the label include Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Tony Molina, Stereolab, Evans The Death, St. Christopher, Boyracer, Beatnik Filmstars, 14 Iced Bears, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. These releases have made the label a notable curator and distributor of independently produced music rather than a mass-market entertainment company. Slumberland temporarily went on hiatus in 2001 following the release of The Saturday People's self-titled full-length. It resumed activity in 2003 with the vinyl edition of The Aislers Set's third full-length, How I Learned to Write Backwards. The label returned to more sustained activity in 2006, issuing releases by acts including The Lodger, Sarandon, Crystal Stilts, and Cause Co-Motion!, along with numerous seven-inch singles. The label's identity has remained rooted in artist discovery, physical releases, independent distribution, and connections among international underground-pop communities. Its catalog is organized under several series, including the DRYL catalog for releases from 1989 to 1992, the SLR catalog beginning in 1992, and the WISH catalog established in 1993. Public reference material does not establish a current corporate parent, public listing, revenue figures, or a definitive current executive roster. Slumberland Records is best understood as a long-running independent label whose importance derives from its artist roster, curation, and continuity within alternative music culture.
History
Slumberland Records was established in 1989 in Washington, D.C., as a collective project connected to members of local bands including Velocity Girl and Big Jesus Trash Can. The founders were influenced by the do-it-yourself methods of independent punk and pop labels, particularly K Records. Slumberland was conceived as a specialist outlet for indie-pop artists whose records were unlikely to receive substantial attention from major labels or mainstream music distributors. Its first release, What Kind of Heaven Do You Want?, was a split seven-inch featuring early line-ups of Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, and Powderburns. Issued in December 1989, the record was limited to 1,000 copies and included hand-colored presentation elements. This release established several characteristics that would remain associated with the label: small physical editions, close ties to artist communities, and a focus on emerging acts rather than established commercial performers. The label's early activity was centered in the Washington, D.C., area. By 1992, however, management had been consolidated under Michael Schulman, who had previously worked as a DJ at WMUC-FM. Slumberland's operations moved that year from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Berkeley, California. The move connected the label with the Bay Area's independent music infrastructure and represented a shift from a loosely organized collective toward a more centralized label model. In 1993, Slumberland created the I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record imprint, commonly identified through the WISH catalog. The imprint was intended to promote developing bands and used colored vinyl rather than conventional black vinyl as part of its identity. Sleepyhead's Sick of Heaven seven-inch served as the WISH imprint's debut release. Alongside the main Slumberland catalog, the imprint provided a separate channel for introducing newer or less-established artists. Over the following years, the label developed a catalog spanning indie pop, guitar pop, lo-fi, post-punk, and adjacent forms of alternative music. Releases associated with Slumberland include work by Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Tony Molina, Stereolab, Evans The Death, St. Christopher, Boyracer, Beatnik Filmstars, 14 Iced Bears, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The roster reflects the label's role as a curator of underground and independent music scenes rather than a conventional high-volume commercial label. Slumberland temporarily ceased active operations in 2001 after releasing The Saturday People's self-titled full-length. The pause was not described as a permanent closure. Activity resumed in 2003 with the vinyl release of The Aislers Set's third album, How I Learned to Write Backwards. In 2006, the label returned to a more sustained release schedule, issuing material by The Lodger, Sarandon, Crystal Stilts, and Cause Co-Motion!, as well as numerous seven-inch singles. The catalog is divided into identifiable series. The DRYL catalog covers the earliest period from 1989 through 1992, the SLR catalog begins in 1992 and continues as the principal Slumberland series, and the WISH catalog dates from the 1993 creation of the promotional imprint. Slumberland's enduring profile rests on its long-term support of independent artists, its attention to physical formats, and its position within international networks of indie-pop and alternative music. Available reference material does not provide verified information about a corporate parent, ownership structure, financial performance, or a complete current management team.
- 2006
Sustained activity resumes
[1]Slumberland releases music by several artists, including The Lodger, Sarandon, Crystal Stilts, and Cause Co-Motion!, alongside numerous singles.
- 2003
Release activity resumes
[1]The label returns with the vinyl edition of The Aislers Set's How I Learned to Write Backwards.
- 2001
Temporary hiatus
[1]Slumberland pauses operations after releasing The Saturday People's self-titled album.
- 1993
WISH imprint begins
[1]The I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record imprint launches with Sleepyhead's Sick of Heaven seven-inch.
- 1992
Management and location change
[1]Michael Schulman assumes exclusive management and operations move from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Berkeley, California.
- 1989
Slumberland Records is founded
[1]A collective connected to Washington, D.C.-area bands establishes the label as an outlet for independent indie-pop music.
- 1989
First release issued
[1]What Kind of Heaven Do You Want? is released as a limited split seven-inch featuring Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, and Powderburns.
Products and positioning
A specialist independent label focused on indie pop, guitar pop, lo-fi, post-punk, and related underground music, with an emphasis on artist discovery and physical recordings.
Record-label catalog series · 1989
DRYL catalog
The DRYL catalog covers Slumberland's earliest release period, from 1989 through 1992. It represents the label's Washington, D.C.-area origins and its initial concentration on small-format indie-pop and underground releases.
Record-label catalog series · 1992
SLR catalog
The SLR catalog is the main Slumberland Records series beginning in 1992. It includes the label's continuing output of singles, albums, and related physical releases across indie pop, guitar pop, lo-fi, post-punk, and adjacent alternative styles.
Promotional record-label imprint · 1993
I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record
The WISH imprint was introduced in 1993 to promote developing bands. Its releases were associated with colored vinyl, distinguishing the imprint from standard black-vinyl editions. Sleepyhead's Sick of Heaven seven-inch was its debut.
Recorded music · 1989
Music recordings
Slumberland's core output consists of independently released singles, seven-inch records, extended plays, and full-length albums. The catalog includes recordings by artists such as Velocity Girl, Honeybunch, Lilys, Tony Molina, Stereolab, Crystal Stilts, and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
Brand decisions
2001
Temporary operating hiatusStrategyBackground
The label paused activity after the release of The Saturday People's self-titled full-length.
Action taken
Slumberland temporarily suspended its release activity.
Aftermath
The label resumed activity in 2003 and returned to more sustained operations in 2006.
1993
Creation of the WISH promotional imprintProduct launchBackground
Slumberland sought an additional platform for developing artists within its independent-label operation.
Action taken
The label launched I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record and used colored vinyl for its releases; Sleepyhead's Sick of Heaven was the first issue.
Aftermath
The imprint became a distinct series alongside the main SLR catalog.
1992
Consolidation of management and relocation to CaliforniaStrategyBackground
After operating as a collective in the Washington, D.C., area, the label entered a more centralized phase under Michael Schulman.
Action taken
Schulman took exclusive management responsibility and operations moved from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Berkeley, California.
Aftermath
The relocation established the Berkeley base associated with the label's subsequent development.
Recent events
- 2006
Slumberland returns to sustained activity[1]
Product launch
The label resumed more consistent activity with releases involving The Lodger, Sarandon, Crystal Stilts, Cause Co-Motion!, and other artists, including numerous seven-inch singles.
- 2003
Slumberland resumes releases with The Aislers Set[1]
Product launch
The label returned from its hiatus by releasing the vinyl edition of The Aislers Set's third full-length, How I Learned to Write Backwards.
- 2001
Slumberland Records enters a temporary hiatus[1]
Other
The label paused operations after issuing The Saturday People's self-titled full-length album.
- 1993
Slumberland introduces the WISH imprint[1]
Product launch
The label established I Wish I Was a Slumberland Record as an in-house promotional imprint for developing artists, using colored vinyl as a distinguishing format.
- 1992
Slumberland Records moves operations to Berkeley[1]
Other
After becoming the label's sole manager, Michael Schulman oversaw the relocation of operations from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Berkeley, California.
- 1989
Slumberland Records launches with a limited split seven-inch[1]
Product launch
The label's debut release, What Kind of Heaven Do You Want?, paired early recordings by Velocity Girl, Black Tambourine, and Powderburns in a limited edition of 1,000 copies.
Sources2 sources
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