Blaze James Launches Arduous Records with Virgin Music

Veteran artist manager Blaze James has partnered with Virgin Music Group to launch Arduous Records.

The details:

• Industry executive and artist manager Jordyn Reese has been appointed General Manager of the label.

• Her agency, Do Better For Artists, will provide full-service artist support.

• The label’s first signings are influential alternative rock pioneers Failure, who will release their first album in five years, Location Lost, on April 24 via Failure Records/Arduous/Virgin.

• Also joining the label are Norwegian post-punk stoner rockers Heave Blood & Die.

Next venture:

• Arduous is the latest venture for James, who launched his management company The Fellowship in 2025 after previously serving at Velvet Hammer, Roc Nation, and MGMT Co.

• The company’s roster includes Coheed and Cambria, High Vis, Militarie Gun, Failure, Soul Glo, Matt Pinfield, Minus the Bear and Narrow Head.

• Reese joined The Fellowship in December.

What they said:

• Blaze James: “My whole career in management has been built developing artists and I wanted to bring that experience to the label side. I consider myself an extremely hard working person, and so Arduous fits. We are going to grind and hustle for our artists, and I’m really looking forward to this next chapter.”

• Jordyn Reese: “Blaze has built his career on vision, integrity, and fearless artist development, and Arduous Records is a powerful extension of that legacy. I’m proud to step into this role and help build a truly artist-first label, combining our DIY ethos with the global reach of Virgin Music Group.”