Kill Sound Records Launches in Partnership with TLG|ROCK; Announces First Signings

Kill Sound Records, a new record label founded by musician, songwriter and producer Justin McCain, has officially launched in partnership with The Label Group’s TLG|ROCK, with distribution through Virgin Music Group.

The new imprint brings McCain’s longstanding passion for A&R and artist development to the forefront, with MCHNZ and ANNALIESE announced as the label’s first two signings.

Joining McCain in the launch are partners Zeb Christensen of Screaming for Silence, Aaron Koenig of Devil in the Details, and Sgt. RJ Mitchell, USMC.

McCain brings extensive experience as a musician, songwriter and producer to his new role. He has previously been a member of signed bands including Through Fire and Emphatic, experiences that gave him firsthand insight into the music industry and opportunities to work alongside established executives and creative professionals.

Those experiences ultimately shaped McCain’s goal of creating a label centred on discovering artists with potential and providing them with the guidance, development and resources needed to build lasting careers.

McCain comments:

“I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some of the most incredibly talented people throughout my journey as a musician, songwriter and producer in the music business. With being in multiple signed bands, including Through Fire and Emphatic, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the most brilliant label executives along the way, such as Monte Lipman of Republic Records, Pete Ganbarg of Atlantic Records, Jeff Blue, known for his work with Linkin Park and, of course, one of my biggest inspirations, Ash Avildsen of Sumerian Records.”

McCain says the opportunity to launch Kill Sound Records came after conversations with Dennis Sanders, owner of The Label Group. Sanders offered McCain an imprint through TLG|ROCK, with Virgin Music Group handling distribution.

McCain explains:

“I always knew when the time was right, I was going to focus on my passion for A&R and artist development and start my own record label. After having conversations with my good friend and industry vet Dennis Sanders, owner of The Label Group, he offered me an imprint through TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group. Alongside my partners Zeb Christensen, Aaron Koenig and RJ Mitchell, we’re very excited to announce the launch of Kill Sound Records.”

The Label Group is an independent music company offering services including distribution, radio promotion, marketing, merchandising, playlist promotion and tour placement. The company is also the parent organization behind TLG|ROCK. McCain also credits Sanders with helping bring the Kill Sound Records vision to life.

McCain adds:

“Kill Sound Records represents the next chapter of my career. I’m incredibly excited to take everything I’ve learned as an artist, songwriter, producer and student of the business and apply it to developing artists. We’re just getting started, and we’re extremely proud to welcome MCHNZ and ANNALIESE as the first two artists on the roster.”

For MCHNZ and ANNALIESE, the signings mark the beginning of Kill Sound Records’ artist roster, with additional announcements and new music expected to follow.

McCain and Koenig have also launched Kill Sound Studio, a production and songwriting team intended to record and produce artists signed to the label. With its first two artists now in place, Kill Sound Records is positioning itself around McCain’s experience as an artist and producer and his stated focus on A&R and artist development.