Spinefarm Records hires senior director of international and director of A&R

Newly invigorated hard rock and metal label Spinefarm Records has made two key hires to its staff. Maria Ouellette and Darren Dalessio will join as senior director of international and director of A&R, respectively. Ouellette will now direct the global marketing and promotion of Spinefarm’s US and UK centres, as well as coordinating the international activities of artists signed to the company’s office in Finland.

Prior to her new position, she owned and operated her own consulting and marketing firm for four years, representing the interests of hard rock and metal artists, managers, labels and other partners. Ouellette has also worked in the metal industry outside of the US for over a decade.

In his new role, Dalessio is tasked with helping worldwide GM of Spinefarm, Jonas Nachsin, in developing and building the label’s roster with new acts drawn from across the globe, alongside the its other key international A&R executives Dante Bonutto in the UK and Euge Valovirta in Finland.

Previously, Dalessio held a variety of A&R and management roles with rock and metal bands, most recently at 5B Artist Management, home to such Slipknot and Stone Sour, where he spent four years working with artists including Trivium and Amon Amarth.

Spinefarm is part of Universal Music’s new Caroline artist and label services network.

Nachsin said: “After years helping to grow the careers of some of the most talented and groundbreaking artists in rock and metal, I am truly excited to be leading a label that is expanding and looking to enter into significant new partnerships.

“With Darren and Maria on board, and more to come, Spinefarm is the destination for artists looking for a truly global home in hard rock and metal.”

Source: Music Week