***Zum started as a print fanzine but evolved into a standalone record label in 1998. Started by siblings Yvonne (Xiu Xiu, Little Otsu) and George Chen (Common Eider, King Eider, KIT, Chen Santa Maria), they launched the Zum Audio compilation series and started releasing vinyl and CDs from upstart acts in California (including an early single by !!!) and as far away as Canada, Italy, and Australia. Intervening years saw a steady flow of underground artists and associations from the fertile DIY touring circuit and Chen's show promotion efforts in the Bay Area. After taking a hiatus to focus on standup comedy and after a move to Los Angeles, Chen returned to digital and cassette releases. The next phase of the label really took off during the 2020 lockdown with vinyl releases from Body Double, My Heart, an Inverted Flame, The Acharis, and a digital-only Zum Audio Vol 4 compilation. 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of Zum existing as a proper record label. Zum Audio Vol 5 is a double CD format, necessitated by the 2:20 runtime of these tracks. The latest iteration of the comp not only features legacy Zum artists and new blood alike. You get cuts from: GROWING, THE INTIMA, SOMNAMBULISTS, CURSE ALL KINGS, JONATHAN SNIPES, PAUL COSTUROS, SPRING BREEDING, KIM, TROUGH, BAUS, AUX MEADOWS, and many others. 26 tracks in all.