The Hellenic Music Companies Association (HERMES) has joined IMPALA as a member association, representing Greece’s independent music companies.
A closed inaugural session for HERMES was held on 9 May at the Goethe-Institut in Athens, as part of Athens Music Week. The event gathered independent labels, music professionals, creators, collective management organisations, and other industry stakeholders.
HERMES aims to provide Greek independent music companies with a stronger collective voice at both national and European levels. Its goals include fostering networking, professional development, education, and closer engagement with European institutions and industry developments.
IMPALA’s Rory Brown attended online, while board member and STOMP founder Kees van Weijen (HIT4US) and board member Luciano Winter (Stormi Capital) were present in person.
HERMES will have access to IMPALA’s capacity-building programme for new associations, which is co-funded by the European Union.
Manos Dedevesis, HERMES President and STAY INDEPENDENT COO & Head of Publishing, stated: “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, Executive Board Member at IMPALA 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.”
