Island Data, a frontline label owned by Common Music Group, has appointed Austin Jenkins as Vice President, A&R.
A local of Weatherford, Texas, Jenkins has a robust presence in Nashville’s native scene and the broader music group. Since becoming a member of Island Data in 2023, he has been instrumental in signing and growing a roster of rising artists, together with notable acts like Wyatt Flores and Medium Construct, amongst others.
Jenkins will proceed spearheading Island’s operations in Nashville, with obligations together with figuring out, signing, and cultivating new expertise for the label.
Previous to becoming a member of Island Data, Jenkins was the founder, guitarist and songwriter for the seminal Texas band White Denim. His profession took a flip in 2014 when he left the band to co-found Niles Metropolis Sound, a Fort Value recording studio, alongside Josh Block and Chris Vivion.
This collaboration led to the invention of Leon Bridges, whose debut album, Coming Residence, was co-produced, recorded, and combined by the Niles Metropolis Sound group. The album achieved platinum standing and obtained a 2016 GRAMMY Award nomination for Finest R&B Album, with Jenkins contributing his guitar and bass abilities to the venture and touring with Bridges as a part of his band.
“[Austin Jenkins is] a magnet for artists and his presence [is] crucial to the label’s tradition and future. We’re thrilled he’ll proceed his work at Island in an elevated position representing the label in Nashville and past.”
Justin Eshak and Imran Majid, Island Data
“Austin’s love of music and the artistic group is infectious,” stated Justin Eshak and Imran Majid, Co-CEOs of Island Data.
Eshak and Majid, described by UMG as “certainly one of music’s most dynamic and profitable artist-development groups,” joined Island in June 2021 from Sony Music‘s Columbia Data, the place they held the place of Co-Heads of A&R.
Jenkins is “a magnet for artists and his presence [is] crucial to the label’s tradition and future. We’re thrilled he’ll proceed his work at Island in an elevated position representing the label in Nashville and past,” the pair added.
Jenkins stated: “Justin and Imran have architected an atmosphere the place true artistry prospers and risk-taking isn’t simply inspired; it’s championed. We have now the latitude to essentially make some noise and amplify the voices of unimaginable and progressive artists. I’m trying ahead to what the longer term holds on this place.”
Jenkins’ promotion marks the most recent government appointment at Island Data after Jenny Gorotiza was promoted to Vice President, Advertising and marketing, on April 30. Final yr, Erika Clark was elevated to Vice President, Media Relations, whereas Shahendra Ohneswere, previously of Columbia, was named Head of Inventive Technique.
Island Data, based in Jamaica by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in 1959, launched a few of the most influential artists together with Bob Marley, U2, Grace Jones, Cat Stevens and extra, in keeping with its web site. The corporate is now house to acts together with The Killers, Sabrina Carpenter, Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Bon Jovi, Remi Wolf, and extra.
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