As well as being the European capital, Brussels is also home to an independent record company which, from its modest beginnings in 1983 as a specialist record shop in Brussels, has become one of the driving forces behind Europe's alternative scene.

PLAY IT AGAIN SAM, better known as [PIAS], was co-founded by Kenny Gates and Michel Lambot who have been running the company ever since. [PIAS] originally concentrated on distributing imported records on the Belgian market but was quick to spot the advantages of building up a presence in other European countries.

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Nearly 20 years on, [PIAS] has sales and distribution offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany and France as well as local offices looking after marketing and promotion for their acts in Spain and Austria. There is also a local [PIAS] office in the USA. The [PIAS] network is further extended throughout the world through a network of exclusive distributors covering most of the globe.

The irresistible force that has made all this possible has remained unchanged over the years. Call it PASSION. A work ethic that makes people think in terms of artists rather than mere products.

[PIAS] has a proud tradition of showcasing a wide range of diverse, innovative talent.
By combining great music and commercial acumen, [PIAS] has obtained the freedom to sign the bands that it loves and throw its heart and soul into promoting them.
Without [PIAS] and its associated companies, you would probably never have heard of acts like St. Germain, Sigur Ros, Laurent Garnier, Front 242 or Soulwax.