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Former employees and artists put a heavy burden on founder and father Leander Kirschner. It was a new founding with turbo development: The Berlin-based music label Bamboo Artists, which was only launched in 2021, was soon considered the crown jewel of the industry.
The central figure was and is the 32-year-old founder and boss Leander Kirschner. He is considered a brilliant developer of younger, successful German acts such as Ski Aggu, 01099 and Zartmann.
But that was yesterday. The central figureheads have now distanced themselves from the label and some of the workforce have resigned. 01099 from Dresden have already announced the founding of their own company in the trade press.
Toxic work environment at Bamboo Artists
The reason: Bamboo is said to have had a borderline working environment and Kirschner’s management style that crossed borders. ROLLING STONE Online has been aware of these conditions through background discussions for several months. Bamboo was also a constant topic in the Berlin scene. Now two journalists from the news magazine “Der Spiegel” have made the case public after meticulous research. To do this, they spoke to various ex-employees and musicians.
In industry jargon, Bamboo Artists was considered “Europe’s leading independent music label”. Internally there was chaos and overwhelm. There are reports of excessively long working weeks, massive criticism and constant pressure to be on call – often at night or on vacation. Individuals describe physical and psychological stress and even breakdowns.
Escalation in Ski Aggu production
There was turbulence at a creative camp in the Mediterranean region on the sidelines of a Ski Aggu production of “Palermo”. According to statements, Kirschner freaked out over little things. He repeatedly demeaned his colleagues. The team then wrote a letter to management demanding that Kirschner be kept away from the workforce for the time being. According to “Spiegel”, in the summer of 2026 there was further trouble at a meeting about label internationalization. Kirschner is said to have raged in an intensified aggro style. As if bitten by a tarantula, he is said to have left the room lamenting.
Some ex-employees report lasting psychological consequences. Physical symptoms are also said to have been present. As a young label, Bamboo often employed young people who were often taking their first career step – without the resilience of the proverbial “old hands”. According to information from ROLLING STONE, the strong-headed, self-confident employees were the first to look for a new job. As a result, some positions remained unfilled, which further increased the workload for the successful bamboo bands and soloists.
Kirschner resigns – label facing extinction?
At the end of November, Kirschner announced his resignation as CEO, according to industry reports. The official saying was that he wanted to have more time for his family. According to insiders, Bamboo Artist is now undergoing a “structural and cultural realignment.” Apparently plans are being made without Kirschner. Ski Aggu and 01099 left the store in no time, which Bamboo also confirmed. Zartmann, an acclaimed Howard Carpendale for under-25s, is still listed on the label’s website.
There is already gossip at Berlin counters that his management is forcing a separation. So far there has been no statement from Boss Kirschner. However, you are not an enlightened prophet if you predict a rather bleak future for Bamboo Artists. Instead of world market plans with branches in New York and London, the pieces now have to be picked up. In the spring of 2025, Kirschner painted his work at Bamboo in bright colors in a podcast on the music biz service “ThemaTakt” – a saga that will have to be rewritten after the “Spiegel research” is published.