Greece’s newly formed independent music trade body, HERMES (Hellenic Music Companies Association), has joined IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association), strengthening representation for the country’s independent labels and music companies at both national and European level.
Pre-Launch at Athens Music Week
The association’s pre-launch took place during a closed inaugural session on 9 May at the Goethe-Institut as part of Athens Music Week. The event brought together independent labels, music professionals, creators, collective management organisations and other industry stakeholders from across the Greek music sector.
The session was attended online by IMPALA’s Rory Brown, and in person by IMPALA board member and STOMP founder Kees van Weijen (HIT4US) and IMPALA and STOMP board member Luciano Winter (Stormi Capital).
European Network and Capacity-Building
As a member of IMPALA, HERMES will gain access to IMPALA’s new association capacity-building programme, co-funded by the European Union, designed to support newly founded independent music trade associations across Europe. The membership aims to give Greek independent music companies a stronger collective voice, facilitate networking and professional development, and foster closer engagement with European institutions.
Leadership Remarks
Manos Dedevesis, HERMES President and COO & Head of Publishing at STAY INDEPENDENT, described the launch as “opening a path” for Greek independent music, stressing the need for cooperation, transparency, education and dialogue.
“HERMES is founded on the belief that independent music in Greece deserves a stronger collective voice, greater access to knowledge, and meaningful representation both nationally and internationally. Our mission is to unite the Greek independent music community, encourage collaboration, support education and professional development, and create lasting opportunities for growth. Becoming part of IMPALA’s European network marks an important step in that journey, connecting Greek independents with the broader European ecosystem and ensuring that our market is informed, represented, and actively involved in shaping the future of music. For too long, Greek independents have worked in isolation. Today, we are opening the door to Europe and ensuring that Greece is part of the conversation, not watching it from the sidelines.”
Helen Smith, IMPALA Executive Chair, said: “We are pleased to welcome HERMES to the IMPALA network. Greece has a vibrant and diverse independent music community, and a dedicated association is good news not just for Greece but for the sector across the whole of Europe. We look forward to working closely with HERMES in the years ahead.”
Dario Draštata, Chair of IMPALA, President of regional association RUNDA Adria and Executive Director of Dallas Records, commented: “The launch of Hermes as Greece’s new association of independent record labels, and its entry into IMPALA, is an important step not only for the Greek market, but also for the wider SEE region and whole Europe. At a time when independent labels across Southeast Europe face major challenges around market concentration, streaming visibility, funding and cross-border growth, stronger regional cooperation and representation are essential to protect cultural diversity and build a more sustainable local music ecosystem.”
Kees Van Weijen, Founder of STOMP and IMPALA Executive Board member responsible for network development, added: “I am very happy with the new Greek IMPALA family member HERMES joining and strengthening the independent music companies in Greece. President Manos Dedevesis and its members are embarking on an important mission alongside our wider European network of independent music trade associations supporting the music sector across Europe.”
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6,000 independent music companies in Europe. According to the organisation, 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists; they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA states its mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance.
IMPALA began a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. It runs various award schemes and a partnership programme called Friends of IMPALA. The organisation is marking its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a series of interviews titled Faces of the Independent Sector.
