Startracks

Startracks is a Swedish independent record label based in Stockholm, founded by Fredrik Holmgren in 1993 under the name Startrec. The label later changed its name to Startracks due to registration difficulties with PRV (the Swedish Patent and Registration Office). It focuses on rock and indie pop, and has been distributed by Bonnier Amigo since 2007; previously distribution was handled by V2 Records before that company was acquired by Universal Music. For a period, a subsidiary label called Background Beat existed, releasing records between 2001 and 2004, including artists such as Starmarket, Leiah, and Safari on Pluto. Startracks works with a handful of artists, emphasizing strong artist development, and its main markets are Sweden and Germany. The label is distributed in the Nordics by Playground Music, in Germany/Switzerland/Austria by Indigo, and exported by 375 Media. Synchronization and licensing are handled by John Jackson at Cloud, Sync, Licensing via Playground Music. Recent releases include Christian Kjellvander's 'Portugal' LP and Vasas flora och fauna's album 'Berg i dagen' (2025), along with limited edition vinyl reissues. The label also operates an online shop at shop.startracks.se.

Startracks was founded in 1993 by Fredrik Holmgren under the name Startrec. Holmgren's background in the music industry began in the 1980s with a fanzine and DIY mailorder selling punk rock. He later released records under the label CBR (Chickenbrain Records), ran mailorder operations, owned record stores, booked bands and tours, imported labels, and worked in label management, merchandise, and artist management. The label was renamed Startracks due to registration difficulties with PRV (the Swedish Patent and Registration Office). From 2001 to 2004, a subsidiary label called Background Beat operated, releasing records by artists such as Starmarket, Leiah, and Safari on Pluto. Distribution of Startracks releases was initially handled by V2 Records, but after V2 was acquired by Universal Music, distribution shifted to Bonnier Amigo in 2007. In the 2010s, Startracks continued to release rock and indie pop records, with a focus on artist development. The label's main markets are Sweden and Germany. Distribution in the Nordics is handled by Playground Music, in Germany/Switzerland/Austria by Indigo, and export by 375 Media. Synchronization and licensing are managed by John Jackson at Cloud, Sync, Licensing through Playground Music. In 2025, Startracks remains active, releasing new music from artists like Vasas flora och fauna and Christian Kjellvander, as well as limited edition vinyl reissues. The label also operates an online shop at shop.startracks.se, offering vinyl and CDs, sometimes at sale prices as low as 1 EUR.

• 2025

  Release of Vasas flora och fauna's album 'Berg i dagen' and limited edition vinyl reissues.

• 2007

  Distribution shifts to Bonnier Amigo after V2 Records is acquired by Universal Music.

• 2004

  Background Beat ceases operations.

• 2001

  Subsidiary label Background Beat begins operations.

• 1993

  Founded as Startrec by Fredrik Holmgren.

• Renamed to Startracks due to registration difficulties with PRV.

Independent Swedish label focused on rock, indie, punk, and hardcore, with strong artist development and a hands-on approach.

• 2025

  Vasas flora och fauna – Berg i dagen

  New studio album released on 17 October 2025. Limited edition of 500 copies includes a six-track bonus LP.

• 2025

  Vasas flora och fauna – Du ville ha barn men inte med mig

  Classic debut album from 2015 re-released in blue/white split vinyl, limited to 300 copies, released on 14 November 2025.

• 2025

  Startracks Rare Tracks

  Rare tracks as B-sides and compilation tracks from 1998-2004, now on vinyl. Released on 14 November 2025.

• Christian Kjellvander – Portugal LP

  Latest release from Christian Kjellvander on Startracks.

• 2025

  Refused – Shape of Punk to Come 5LP 25th Anniversary Edition

  5LP 25th anniversary edition released on 8 November 2025 via Epitaph.

1. 1Startracks official websitestartracks.se
2. 2About | Startracksstartracks.se
3. 3Startracks - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Startracks - Wikipedia (Swedish)sv.wikipedia.org