10 Questions with ... Phil Kaso

1. What made you want to get into the music business and who were some of your early mentors?

My love of music made me want to get into the business. I’m a fan of music first. I worked in a mom & pop indie record shop in Queens, NY when I was in high school, and interned for Epic Records while in College – I knew right then that I wanted to work for a label. Early mentors – I’d have to give props to Dave Loncao and Ron Poore for giving me my first gig at RCA RECORDS, and to Elias Chios for connecting me with them. I also have great mentors that I’ve worked with now – and have worked with since the end of 2007 when Roadrunner joined forces with Lava/Fueled By Ramen – and became Roadrunner Promotion, now Elektra Music Group – Mike Easterlin and Greg Dorfman. I continue to learn from them every day. And I can’t not mention John Boulos – who I learned a ton from while he was with us.

2. Can you give us a rundown of the record labels and positions you’ve held over the years up to now? 

I’ve worked at two labels. I Interned at Epic Records Retail Marketing department in 1994. I started at RCA Records in 1997 as Rock/Alternative Promotion Coordinator, and I have been at Roadrunner Records – now Elektra Music Group/Atlantic Records since April of 1999. Positions at Roadrunner – I’ve gone from Promotion Coordinator to Promotion Coordinator/Video & College Promotion 1999-2001, to Northeast Regional Promotion Director 2002 – 2014 (based in Boston 2002-3, and then NY 2003-2014) to National Rock/Alternative Promotion Director – 2015 – present, to VP of Rock Promotion at Elektra Music Group 2020-2021, and now SVP of Rock Promotion at Atlantic Records/Elektra Music Group.

3. Congrats on your new position as SVP/Rock Promotion for Atlantic/EMG. While you’re still overseeing all the Roadrunner Rock projects, how does it feel to be handling Rock for the iconic Atlantic Records brand?

It is an honor to fill in the big shoes that Lea Pisacane leaves behind. It’s a great thing to be able to work with all the great artists that are on Atlantic, along with Elektra/Roadrunner/Fueled By Ramen. It’s a full roster, chock full of great rock bands. It is a lot of juggling, but both companies have great staffs that I get to work with and learn from.

4. Let’s talk about some of the new Atlantic Rock projects as we begin 2022 starting with the latest single from Skillet “Surviving The Game.” What’s the latest with this project?

Skillet’s “Surviving The Game” is approaching TOP 20 as we speak – and has been growing consistently. It has been a top 10 streaming rock single almost every week since it’s release, and is still streaming close to 200,000x a week. It is out-streaming 4 of the Top 5 rock singles. Their album “DOMINION” came out Friday 1/14. They just started their US TOUR. We hope to continue driving this track up. Skillet has had 9 TOP 10 tracks, and 2 #1’s. They’ve consistently delivered hits.

5. You also have the new Zero 9:36 single “I’m Not” on Atco/Atlantic. What can you tell us about this artist and song?

Zero 9:36 – “I’m Not” – we are just getting started on this – it debuted this week and we had 12 new adds this week. We are following up his debut single “Adrenaline” which was a #1 song, and the most played current at the Active Rock Format for the calendar year 2021. He will be touring the US in March & April.

6. What other new Atlantic Rock projects should we be looking for at the start of 2022?

Looks like Shinedown has been teasing something new coming – so be on the lookout for new Shinedown – their US tour kicks off Jan 26th and they will be all over the US thru most of the 1st half of the year. There should be some new music from Halestorm coming soon, following up the #1 single “Back from The Dead.” A follow-up to Coheed and Cambria’s Top 10 single “Shoulders” should be coming soon - they will be touring the US most of the first half of 2022.

And there should also be some new music from RIVAL SONS coming this year.

7. Now let’s switch over to the Roadrunner/EMG side starting with the latest from Trivium “Feast Of Fire.” I’m getting good feedback from Rock Radio on this one. What’s your take?

Trivium’s “Feast of Fire” just went Top 20 and has been climbing the charts. It’s a great radio friendly track. They will be very busy in 2022- going out with Megadeth & Lamb of God for the Metal Tour of the Year, then supporting IRON MAIDEN in the fall, and then doing some headline dates after that. It’s been a grind, but the song has been performing well and is still streaming 90,000x a week.

8. And then there’s the new Slipknot single “The Chapeltown Rag.” What’s the latest with this project?

Slipknot’s single “The Chapletown Rag” is a heavy bruiser that is streaming 190,000x a week. I think based on the sonics – this song has a ceiling of how many stations can play it, and how many can play it outside of nights/overnights. But those supporting know the power of SLIPKNOT and want to be a part of one of the biggest bands at the format. There should be more to come from SLIPKNOT in 2022! Stay tuned. Their KNOTFEST roadshow was one of the most successful tours of 2021.

9. What else does the label have coming down the pipeline in the future? 

As far as Elektra Music Group and what else we have coming – should have new music from A Day To Remember very soon, a follow-up from TURNSTILE, “Mystery” will be shipping to radio on 2/2 – and has already been added to ROCK THIS on Spotify and this week had 9 adds at Alternative. The press on the band has been great, their spring tour is selling out multiple nights, and they just keep growing their streaming #’s. If you aren’t yet down with TURNSTILE – what are you waiting for- listen to the album “Glow on” and make sure you don’t miss Turnstile when they come to town. We are also working CODE ORANGE’s “Out For Blood” – and have picked up a dozen or so stations – they will be out this spring supporting KORN and then on their own headline run. Look for new music from Motionless in White, Theory of a Deadman, and more in 2022!

10. Finally, with all of this on your plate, I know you need your downtime from Rock Promotion and following you on Social Media, I know you love to cook, follow the New York Giants in football and New York Islanders in hockey, as well as an occasional Peloton ride. Does that about do it for your hobbies?

Work eats up the majority of my time. But I do try to find the time to squeeze in a peloton ride almost every day. I love to cook when I can find the time for it, and I do enjoy making cocktails. Sports - yes – I’m a huge sports fan – NY GIANTS, NY YANKEES, NY ISLANDERS, and NY KNICKS - so depending on the season – you can catch me at games or watching games when I have the time. I like to read books when I have time – mainly music or sports books. My wife and I like to vacation, usually in warm weather locations, but the past 2 years …well there’s that pandemic thing that has limited travel. We’ve tried to binge some shows when we have free time at nights or on the weekends. Recent watches – YELLOWJACKETS, Dexter New Blood, and I’m looking forward to the Ray Donovan movie.