10 Questions with ... Elias Chios

1. What made you want to get into the music business? Were there any early mentors?

Many of us in this business wanted to be on the other side, be the artist. We played the cards we were dealt. We still do, and some of us in promotion are artistic in our own respective ways. Just made sense for me, it was always going to be one or the other. My game led me to RCA and the great Dave Loncao and Butch Waugh in '95. Twenty-three years later...

2. Can you give us a rundown of the record labels and positions you've held over the years?

• RCA 95-99: Receptionist to Rock Dept. Coordinator to Head of College & Alt Specialty.
• Roadrunner 99-2010: Northeast Regional, Sr. Dir./Marketing & Product Management, VP/Alternative Radio & Video Promotion
• International Solutions 2011-2016: Head of North America for International Solutions, an international music marketing & promotion firm.
• Razor & Tie 2016: Sr. Dir./Promotion
• Concord Music 2017 to present: Sr. Dir./Promotion

3. Before we talk about some of the hot new music on Concord Music Group, can you give us some of your proudest past achievements in breaking "new acts" with your previous labels?

During my respective times at RCA and Roadrunner, these labels were going through an epic bespoke evolution. RCA just released first albums from Dave Matthews Band, N Sync, Christina Aguilera to The Verve Pipe, Hum, Eve 6, Lit -- so many successful artists and career launching days that brought this shine back to the label in a big way. That was a hell of an entry into the biz. When I started at Roadrunner, it was a metal label but I knew we were heading into a broader Rock direction just by how quickly (and why) we grew the promotion department and what we were signing as I joined. Those years it went from Metal to the biggest Rock label in the country. Coincidentally, as I was joining Concord (and since), this company has grown by leaps and bounds by the artists they have signed, the labels and staff they have invested in - it's mind-blowing to be here right now. To be a part of those windows of history at these remarkable labels ... I'm a very lucky guy.

4. Now let's talk about the latest from Ghost. The label has methodically grown this band into a big favorite at Rock radio. What do you think is the "secret sauce" inherent in the growing success of this band?

Loma Vista, Rick Sales, Kristen Mulderig and our promo staff have respectively done a remarkable job at every turn. This team is the special sauce though Ghost is led by a remarkable visionary with intense focus, talent and taste. He's an inspiration to all of us and to the strategy behind this massive growth. Ghost have built a story for the ages with hard work, incredible tunes and an undeniable treasure chest of imagery; it's the full package real deal. They have joined the ranks of the biggest at Rock and are weaving themselves into pop culture more and more each day.

5. Red Sun Rising has also delivered another top-10 single at Rock radio. What can you tell us about working with this band?

Another very hard working band with great tunes an impressive live show and a long career ahead of them. Their talent is exceptional and we are stoked to continue their success, four top-10 tunes. Just getting started on this cycle, too.

6. The Underoath single, "Rapture," is also resonating at Rock. What's the latest to report on this project?

In the short time I've worked with them, they have impressed us in every way imaginable. This one is particularly special because we are now breaking a band at Rock radio who has already garnered two Grammy nominations, 2 Gold albums under their belt and a built massive rabid base. All this success and they never got the radio love -- why wouldn't radio want to tap into this artist's massive story?!

We just sold 24,000 albums first week, #4 selling. Current Album this week. Radio was the only missing puzzle piece of their extraordinary career and we are pumped up for them and Fearless. The Fearless team is tremendous. The new album, Erase Me, is without question going to elevate these guys to new heights and with their history to date - this a big deal story.

7. You've also just released another single from The Record Company. What else does the label have coming down the pipeline in the months ahead?

Ah, The Record Company! This will be my first campaign with them, but I must say if there's a band that just melted my face this past year live. They are one of the greatest and hard-working bands out there, period. I'm honored and thrilled to get to work with them. "Life to Fix" hit this week -- the reception has been fantastic -- this one is going to be fun!

8. As a promotion person, you have many sources of info to gauge the success of your labels product. What are the most important tools/resources you use to stay on top of how your projects are doing?

Utilizing comparison reports with up to the minute data; streams, Shazams, Mscores, research, sales, tour tickets -- a total holistic consumption view. We have more accuracy than ever to gauge success. Radio uses different barometers; we also provide local deep dive insights to illustrate to our partners where our artists stand, which helps our local pitches that leads to our national picture. It takes a village!

9. Let's talk about the Rock format as a whole. What's your take on the state of Rock radio today?

We all need to evolve to flourish, yet more importantly take risks and back them up. You take a shot on something, own it, make sure you do all you can to see it through. Good or bad, you walk away knowing you took a risk ... but for an important purpose. Keep things fresh and innovative, embrace all things local and the format thrives. It's vital for Rock radio (and labels as well) to continue to develop the techniques in this ever-changing landscape to make (or keep) their brand vital. Rock radio's footprint and impact is enormously important to us at Concord and we strive to support them to grow even bigger and better with everything we do.

10. Finally, being as busy as you are, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you're not in your "work" mode?

Be with my family, my friends, cook, play some tunes and laugh.