Bonnier Amigo Music Group

The Bonnier Amigo Music Group comes as the rare Scandinavian exception in a time when the complete independent music house is on the list of endangered species.Bonnier Amigo Music is the successful result of a 2001 merger between the record company/distributor Amigo and the record company Bonnier Music. Bonnier Amigo Music Group – BAM in short - serves all of Scandinavia with distribution, local a&r as well as sales/marketing forces with knowledge in all genres and is now the largest Scandinavian independent. Artists including José Gonzales, Katie Melua, Ana Johnsson, Sunrise Avenue, Ane Brun, Moneybrother, Tom Waits, Slipknot, Robyn, Amy Diamond, The Lilyjets and Keith Jarret all reaches Scandinavian fans through the Bam network.It all in a way started with “Dr Zhivago”. The Amigo label was launched as an independent in 1966 initially to release a single with the theme from the said Hollywood blockbuster. The operation soon expanded. Distribution deals in the late 60’s included classic jazz label Vogue and from 1971 the ECM label. Other prestigious labels like Ace and Fantasy was added to the roster in the 80’s at the same time as Amigo opened offices in all Scandinavian capitals. Meaning that Amigo in the early 90’s without a blush could declare itself THE independent Scandinavian label representative - in a vide range of genres including roots/blues/folk/jazz. These genres were also the main sources for inhouse a&r, including Amigo being the home of the first wave of Scandinavian retro garage rock including acts like The Nomads.Bonnier Music was kick-started in 1999 as the music division of Bonnier Entertainment – a part of Bonnier AB, the major media group in Scandinavia. The first international hit release was presented in 2000: “Opa opa” with Greek/Swedish combo Antique fronted by Helena Paparizou.The a&r departments of of Bonnier and Amigo are since 2002 operating under one umbrella. Meaning that the local roster now includes everything from singles driven chart pop to the most respected Scandinavian indie pop, jazz and folk music of this era.Like it should be in a complete music house.
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