Kenny Gates co-founded [PIAS] 35 years ago with a view to importing and releasing interesting, potentially ground breaking music in his home country of Belgium. 

All these years later, he and fellow co-founder Michel Lambot remain at the head of the company, and [PIAS] continues to release interesting and ground breaking music, with a roster that includes Soulwax, Ghostpoet, Roisin Murphy, Songhoy Blues, Liars and so many more.

In the ensuing decades, Gates and his [PIAS] team have been responsible for championing breakthrough records from countless indie acts – from Sigur Ros to Muse to Arctic Monkeys – in different territories, as well as electronic stars Etienne de Crecy and Tiga through their Different Recordings imprint.

The company’s expansion – it now has over 300 employees worldwide – and the partnerships it has formed with the best independent labels on the planet make for a fascinating case study. Gates will no doubt have plenty of advice and one or two war stories to share when he speaks at BIGSOUND 2017.