Members of This Busy Monster founded the label in 1994 to put out their own records. Barsuk (from the Russian word for "badger") is "named after a very friendly black lab/pit-bull mix who is loved by all who meet him." From it's inception the label has become a major supporter of indie pop, releasing records from a roster that includes Death Cab For Cutie, Nada Surf, Rilo Kiley, John Vanderslice and others.