Bravo Musique

Bravo Musique is an independent record label based in Montreal, Quebec. The company was established in 2000 by Éli Bissonnette and Hugo Mudie under the name Dare to Care Records. It developed within Quebec’s independent music scene, releasing and promoting music by artists working across indie rock, punk, alternative pop, folk, hip-hop, electronic music, and other contemporary genres. Its roster has included both emerging musicians and established figures associated with Quebec and broader Canadian music, including Malajube, Cœur de pirate, We Are Wolves, Les Georges Leningrad, The Sainte Catherines, Kandle, Socalled, Hanorah, KROY, and many others. The label’s early identity was closely connected to Montreal’s anglophone and bilingual independent music networks. Under the Dare to Care name, it issued releases by Canadian artists and maintained connections with international independent acts. Its compilation projects, including Montreal Spirit and Early Summer Campfire Songs, served as snapshots of the label’s community and extended its role beyond releasing individual albums. These projects brought together artists from punk, indie rock, and related scenes, helping position the company as a curator as well as a conventional record label. Dare to Care also became associated with Grosse Boîte, a label and imprint focused strongly on Quebec’s Francophone repertoire. The broader artist community linked with the company has included Les Appendices, Maude Audet, Bernard Adamus, Bertrand Belin, Émile Bilodeau, Fanny Bloom, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Canailles, Evelyne Brochu, Fred Fortin and Gros Mené, Catherine Leduc, Jérôme 50, Tricot Machine, La Patère Rose, Avec pas d’casque, Les Sœurs Boulay, Jean Leloup, Jimmy Hunt and Mon Doux Saigneur. The relationship between the Dare to Care and Grosse Boîte names reflects the label’s role in both English-language and Francophone music, although its public identity has increasingly emphasized Quebec’s French-language scene. A major ownership and leadership change occurred in January 2021, when musician Béatrice Martin, widely known by her stage name Cœur de pirate, purchased the label from founder Éli Bissonnette. Martin became president and artistic director. The transaction followed Bissonnette’s departure amid accusations concerning a toxic workplace and criticism that allegations of sexual abuse involving former label artist Bernard Adamus had not been adequately addressed. These allegations formed an important part of the label’s public context and contributed to the need for a change in leadership and institutional identity. In February 2021, Martin announced that the company would be renamed Bravo Musique. The new name was presented as a way to recognize the accomplishments of the label’s artists while marking a new phase under Martin’s ownership. Bravo Musique therefore combines the catalog and relationships developed during the Dare to Care era with a reoriented leadership structure and a more explicit emphasis on Francophone music. Publicly available reference material identifies it as an active independent label, but does not provide sufficient information to establish its current revenue, employee count, distribution agreements, or complete present-day roster.

Bravo Musique originated in Montreal in 2000, when Éli Bissonnette and Hugo Mudie founded an independent label called Dare to Care Records. Its formation placed the company within Quebec’s active independent music ecosystem, where small labels commonly combined recording releases, artist development, local promotion, and community-building. Dare to Care’s catalog developed across multiple strands of alternative music, including punk, indie rock, post-rock, electronic music, folk, and pop. The label worked with artists such as CLAASS, Malajube, We Are Wolves, Les Georges Leningrad, Pawa Up First, Yesterday’s Ring, The Sainte Catherines, Armistice, Kandle, Hanorah, KROY, Socalled, and The Last Assassins. The company’s role was not limited to albums by individual signed artists. Under the Dare to Care name it also issued compilation records that documented and connected independent music communities. Montreal Spirit included contributions associated with the Saint-Catherines, Fifth Hour Hero, ...And the Saga Continues, Insurgent, and Self-Made Man. Early Summer Campfire Songs presented a different cross-section, including Dashboard Confessional, The Kingpins, and the Lawrence Arms. These releases illustrated Dare to Care’s connection to both Canadian and international independent acts and gave the label a curatorial function within the scene. The wider label network also included Grosse Boîte, whose associated catalog was strongly identified with Quebec’s Francophone music. Artists linked with Grosse Boîte included Les Appendices, Maude Audet, Bernard Adamus, Bertrand Belin, Émile Bilodeau, Fanny Bloom, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Canailles, Cœur de pirate, Evelyne Brochu, Fred Fortin and Gros Mené, Catherine Leduc, Jérôme 50, Tricot Machine, La Patère Rose, Le Husky, Jacquemort, Avec pas d’casque, Les Sœurs Boulay, Jimmy Hunt and Chocolat, Jean Leloup, Simon Laganière, and Mon Doux Saigneur. This body of work helped establish the company’s importance in contemporary Quebec music while preserving its roots in a broader independent and bilingual environment. The organization entered a period of public controversy before its 2021 ownership change. Éli Bissonnette stepped down amid accusations of fostering a toxic workplace. He was also criticized over the handling of allegations of sexual abuse directed at former label artist Bernard Adamus. The allegations and criticism affected the public perception of the organization and formed the background to a change in control. In January 2021, Béatrice Martin purchased the label from Bissonnette. Martin, already established as the recording artist Cœur de pirate, became president and artistic director. In February of the same year, she announced that Dare to Care Records would be renamed Bravo Musique. The rebrand marked a transition from the company’s founding identity while retaining continuity with its artist catalog and Quebec independent-music relationships. The name change was described as an acknowledgment of the achievements of the artists associated with the label. Bravo Musique is consequently best understood as the successor to Dare to Care Records, rather than as an unrelated new entrant. Its documented history combines independent-label activity, compilation publishing, support for Francophone and Quebec artists, and a significant 2021 change in ownership and governance. Available reference material does not establish a complete current roster, detailed distribution structure, financial profile, or all post-2021 releases.

• 2021

  Béatrice Martin acquires the label

  [1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  Martin purchases Dare to Care Records and becomes its president and artistic director.

• 2021

  The company adopts the Bravo Musique name

  [1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  The label is rebranded as Bravo Musique following the ownership transition.

• 2000

  Dare to Care Records is founded

  [1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  Éli Bissonnette and Hugo Mudie establish the Montreal independent label that later becomes Bravo Musique.

• Compilation catalog expands the label’s independent-music profile

  [1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  The label releases Montreal Spirit and Early Summer Campfire Songs, bringing together artists from Canadian and international independent music communities.

A Montreal independent label positioned around artist development, Quebec music, Francophone repertoire, and diverse alternative music communities.

• Recorded music · 2000

  Artist albums and EPs

  Bravo Musique and its predecessor Dare to Care Records have released albums and shorter projects by artists working in Quebec and independent music scenes. The documented catalog spans alternative rock, punk, indie pop, folk, electronic music, hip-hop, and related styles. Releases associated with the label have included work by artists such as Malajube, We Are Wolves, Cœur de pirate, The Sainte Catherines, Kandle, Hanorah, and Socalled.

• Digital music

  Digital singles and releases

  As a contemporary independent record label, Bravo Musique’s core output includes individual tracks and digital versions of artist recordings. The available reference material confirms the label’s role in releasing music but does not provide a complete digital catalog or a detailed account of its platform-distribution arrangements.

• Compilation album

  Montreal Spirit

  Montreal Spirit is a compilation released under the Dare to Care Records name. It assembled material associated with independent acts including the Saint-Catherines, Fifth Hour Hero, ...And the Saga Continues, Insurgent, and Self-Made Man, presenting a collective view of the Montreal-centered scene connected to the label.

• Compilation album

  Early Summer Campfire Songs

  Early Summer Campfire Songs is another Dare to Care compilation. Its contributors included Dashboard Confessional, The Kingpins, and the Lawrence Arms, reflecting the label’s links with independent artists beyond Quebec as well as its interest in presenting a shared musical community through curated releases.

• Francophone label imprint or associated catalog

  Grosse Boîte catalog

  The Grosse Boîte-associated catalog represents the company’s strong connection to Francophone Quebec music. Artists linked with this catalog include Les Appendices, Maude Audet, Bernard Adamus, Émile Bilodeau, Fanny Bloom, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Tricot Machine, Avec pas d’casque, Les Sœurs Boulay, Jean Leloup, and Mon Doux Saigneur.

• 2021

  Workplace-culture and abuse-handling allegations

  Éli Bissonnette stepped down amid accusations that he had fostered a toxic workplace and had disregarded allegations of sexual abuse involving former label artist Bernard Adamus. The allegations were reported as part of the context surrounding the change in ownership and the subsequent rebranding of the label. The available reference does not establish judicial findings or independently verify the allegations.

  Source

Read more

• 2021

  Transfer of ownership to Béatrice MartinM&A

  Background

  The label underwent a leadership transition after founder Éli Bissonnette stepped down amid workplace-culture and abuse-handling allegations.

  Action taken

  Béatrice Martin purchased Dare to Care Records and assumed the roles of president and artistic director.

  Aftermath

  The transaction created a new leadership structure and preceded the adoption of the Bravo Musique name.

  Source

• 2021

  Rebrand from Dare to Care Records to Bravo MusiqueStrategy

  Background

  Following Martin’s acquisition of the company, the label sought a new public identity while retaining continuity with its artist catalog and Quebec music activities.

  Action taken

  In February 2021, Martin announced the Bravo Musique name as the successor brand.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand positioned the organization under new ownership and emphasized recognition of its artists’ accomplishments.

  Source

• 2021

  Béatrice Martin purchases Dare to Care Records[1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Leadership change

  Musician Béatrice Martin, known professionally as Cœur de pirate, acquired the Montreal independent label from founder Éli Bissonnette and assumed the roles of president and artistic director.

• 2021

  Dare to Care Records is rebranded as Bravo Musique[1]Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change · Other

  Following the ownership transition, Martin announced a new name for the label, describing the rebrand as recognition of the successes achieved by its artists.

1. 1Bravo Musiqueen.wikipedia.org