BelieveNuclear Blast, the metal label owned by the band, has restructured its A&R department and promoted Nathan Barley Phillips and Shawn Keith to A&R Manager, Europe and A&R Manager, North America, respectively.
Longtime employee Tommy Jones is promoted to Label Manager, North America, which includes A&R responsibilities for Nuclear Blast America’s existing roster.
Current A&R Jens Prueter will also take on a newly created role, as Catalog Manager/Senior A&R.
Nuclear Blast was acquired by Believe in 2018.
Since joining Nuclear Blast’s A&R team in September 2020, he’s signed over 12 new bands to the band’s labels Nuclear Blast and SharpTone, and helped propel metal legends In Flames’ latest album to the #1 album spot in four separate European countries.
Previously, the exec held the position of Chief TuneCoreUK (2018-2020), where he was responsible for all operations and relationships with artists, managers and industry partners working with TuneCore’s UK distribution department.
Prior to joining TuneCore, 100% owned by Believe, Nathan founded Basick Records in 2005, a record label for heavy music.
Giving emerging British artists such as Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow and Sleep Token their first commercial releases, the Basick label quickly became synonymous with “cutting edge” heavy genres, according to Nuclear Blast, then signed and released music from Misery Signals. , SikTh and Monuments, among many others.
Shawn Keith joins Nuclear Blast after co-founding SharpTone Records in 2016.
Focused on alternative genres, SharpTone has signed established artists like Story Of The Year, We Came As Romans and August Burns Red, as well as developed new talent, such as Loathe, Currents, Dying Wish and Don Broco, whose latest album ‘Amazing Things’, debuted at No. 1 in their native UK in early 2022.
Prior to co-founding SharpTone, Keith served as Vice President at Sumerian Records for eight years (2007-2014).
The indie startup launched Asking Alexandria (which released four RIAA-certified gold singles with the label) and instrumental heroes Animals As Leaders.
Tommy Jones has worked with Nuclear Blast for 14 years, initially as an independent contractor before being named a permanent employee and moving to Los Angeles amid a successful campaign with Slayer in 2015.
During his tenure at Nuclear Blast, Jones worked in digital marketing, content creation, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer, before moving on to Label Manager for Nuclear Blast America.
Jones has moved to the East Coast and is strategically positioned between New York and Philadelphia, and between Los Angeles and Nuclear Blast’s European offices.
In his new role, Jones will report to Nuclear Blast label manager Jerome Riera, while Keith and Phillips will report to Nuclear Blast general manager Marcus Hammer.
“We are constantly developing and improving our approach to offer the best services to our artists on all channels and to position ourselves as the number 1 label in heavy music”
Marcus Hammer, nuclear explosion
Marcus Hammer, Managing Director of Nuclear Blast, comments: “We have constantly developed and improved our approach to provide the best services to our artists on all channels and to establish our position as the number 1 label in heavy music. We are confident that we are now taking another step towards an even brighter future, and I wish Nathan, Shawn and Tommy good luck and much success in their new roles.
“After two and a half years at the label, I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the A&R department, as we usher in a new era for our genre.”
Nathan Barley Phillips
Nathan Barley Phillips, Head of A&R, Europe, said: “After two and a half years with the label, I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the A&R department, as we usher in a new era for our genre. throughout my career, I have always tried to push the envelope by signing artists who had a progressive vision and attitude. It is extremely important to me that we continue to push our culture forward, and I relish the prospect of leading accomplish this mission here at Nuclear Blast.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to cultivate the next chapter of a new era, while adding my own influences to the historic metal legacy that is Nuclear Blast Records. This mission begins now.
Shawn Keith
Shawn Keith, A&R Manager, North America, comments, “Over the past six years I have collaborated with Nuclear Blast to create SharpTone since its inception, developing artists with creative freedom, passion and purpose. They gave me and my team the control, confidence, support and resources to establish a label that values exactly that. I am honored to have the opportunity to cultivate the next chapter of a new era, while adding my own influences to the historic metal legacy that is Nuclear Blast Records. This mission begins now.
“I’m thrilled about this new chapter of Nuclear Blast with Shawn and Nathan and thrilled to be a crucial part of it.”
tommy jones
Tommy Jones, Label Manager, North America, said, “As Label Manager for Nuclear Blast America, I look forward to taking on A&R responsibilities for our extensive roster alongside Jedi, Monte Conner.
“I’m thrilled about this new chapter of Nuclear Blast with Shawn and Nathan and thrilled to be a crucial part of it.”The music industry around the world