BelieveOwner-managed metal label Nuclear Blast has restructured its A&R department, promoting Nathan Barley Phillips and Shawn Keith to Head of A&R Europe and Head of A&R North America, respectively.
Longtime collaborator Tommy Jones is promoted to Label Manager North America, which includes A&R responsibility for the existing Nuclear Blast America team.
Current A&R Jens Prueter will also fill a newly created role as Head of Catalog / Senior A&R.
Nuclear Blast was acquired by Believe in 2018.
Since joining Nuclear Blast’s A&R team in September 2020, he has signed over 12 new bands to the group’s Nuclear Blast and SharpTone label brands and helped propel metal legends In Flames’ latest album to #1 on the charts four albums ended up in separate European countries.
Previously, the managing director acted as head of TuneCoreUK (2018-2020) where he was responsible for all operations and relationships with artists, managers and industry partners working with TuneCore’s UK distribution service.
Before joining TuneCore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Believe, Nathan founded Basick Records, a heavy music record label, in 2005.
The Basick label gave up-and-coming British artists like Enter Shikari, Bury Tomorrow and Sleep Token their first commercial releases and soon became synonymous with “the pinnacle” of the heavy genres, according to Nuclear Blast. It subsequently 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 acts such as Story Of The Year, We Came As Romans and August Burns Red, as well as developing new talent such as Loathe, Currents, Dying Wish and Don Broco, whose latest album Amazing Things , debuted at No. 1 in its native UK in early 2022.
Before co-founding SharpTone, Keith was a vice president at Sumerian Records for eight years (2007-2014).
The indie startup founded 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, first as an independent contractor before becoming a full-time employee in 2015 and relocating to Los Angeles as part of a successful campaign with Slayer.
During Jones’ tenure at Nuclear Blast, he worked in digital marketing and content creation, most recently as Head of Operations before moving into the role of Label Manager for Nuclear Blast America.
Jones has moved back to the East Coast and is strategically located between NYC and Philadelphia, as well as between Los Angeles and Nuclear Blast’s European offices.
In his new role, Jones will report to Nuclear Blast’s Label Director, Jérôme Riera, while Keith and Phillips will report to Nuclear Blast’s Managing Director, Marcus Hammer.
“We have constantly evolved and improved our approach to provide the best service to our artists across all channels and to cement our position as the No. 1 label for heavy music.”
Marcus Hammer, Nuclear Blast
Marcus Hammer, Managing Director of Nuclear Blast, comments: “We have constantly evolved and improved our approach to offer our artists the best service across all channels and to cement our position as the #1 label for heavy music. We are confident that we are now taking another step towards an even brighter future and I wish Nathan, Shawn and Tommy the best of luck and 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 at 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 trying to set new standards by signing artists with a progressive mindset and attitude. It is extremely important to me that we continue to advance our culture and I am excited at the prospect of fulfilling that mission here at Nuclear Blast. ”
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to begin the next chapter of a new era while adding my own influences to Nuclear Blast Records’ historical metal legacy. This mission begins now.”
Shawn Keith
Shawn Keith, Head of A&R North America, comments, “For the past six years I’ve worked with Nuclear Blast to create SharpTone from the ground up and develop artists with creative freedom, passion and purpose. You have given me and my team the control, trust, support and resources to establish a label that values just that. I’m honored to have the opportunity to begin the next chapter of a new era while adding my own influences to Nuclear Blast Records’ historical metal legacy. This mission begins now.”
“I’m excited for this new chapter of Nuclear Blast with Shawn and Nathan and thrilled to be a pivotal part of it.”
Tommy Jones
Tommy Jones, Label Manager for North America, said, “As Label Manager for Nuclear Blast America, I look forward to assuming A&R responsibility for our extensive roster alongside Jedi Monte Conner.”
“I’m excited for this new chapter of Nuclear Blast with Shawn and Nathan and thrilled to be a pivotal part of it.”music business worldwide
