Veteran A&R Rep Rich Castillo Launches Lionbear Music
Its mission is to serve as an “incubator” for artist development
British A&R veteran Rich Castillo has launched Lionbear Music Group, an independent music label and artist development incubator.
Why it matters:
Castillo has more than 20 years' experience in A&R, working at Polydor Records, Atlantic and EMI Records.
At EMI he led the A&R team on projects with Olivia Dean, Elton John, The Libertines and Chase & Status.
He is currently the Head of A&R at Charlie Lycett's Graduation music company, through which he set up Lionbear Records.
Lionbear is distributed through Graduation's label services arm.
How it works:
Speaking with Music Week Castillo explains, 'When you plug into a big frontline label, the artist needs to be defined and developed so it's very clear what the proposition is.'
He adds: "Our mission is to define each artist and allow them to express themselves properly before they get put under the scrutiny of having a bigger team trying to navigate what they are."
Lionbear also encompasses films, publishing and podcasts.
British A&R veteran Rich Castillo has launched Lionbear Music Group, an independent music label and artist development incubator.
Why it matters:
Castillo has more than 20 years' experience in A&R, working at Polydor Records, Atlantic and EMI Records.
At EMI he led the A&R team on projects with Olivia Dean, Elton John, The Libertines and Chase & Status.
He is currently the Head of A&R at Charlie Lycett's Graduation music company, through which he set up Lionbear Records.
Lionbear is distributed through Graduation's label services arm.
How it works:
Speaking with Music Week Castillo explains, 'When you plug into a big frontline label, the artist needs to be defined and developed so it's very clear what the proposition is.'
He adds: "Our mission is to define each artist and allow them to express themselves properly before they get put under the scrutiny of having a bigger team trying to navigate what they are."
Lionbear also encompasses films, publishing and podcasts.
British A&R veteran Rich Castillo has launched Lionbear Music Group, an independent music label and artist development incubator.
Why it matters:
Castillo has more than 20 years' experience in A&R, working at Polydor Records, Atlantic and EMI Records.
At EMI he led the A&R team on projects with Olivia Dean, Elton John, The Libertines and Chase & Status.
He is currently the Head of A&R at Charlie Lycett's Graduation music company, through which he set up Lionbear Records.
Lionbear is distributed through Graduation's label services arm.
How it works:
Speaking with Music Week Castillo explains, 'When you plug into a big frontline label, the artist needs to be defined and developed so it's very clear what the proposition is.'
He adds: "Our mission is to define each artist and allow them to express themselves properly before they get put under the scrutiny of having a bigger team trying to navigate what they are."
Lionbear also encompasses films, publishing and podcasts.
Rich Castillo
Lionbear Music Group
EMI Records
Polydor Records
Atlantic Records
Graduation
Charlie Lycett
Olivia Dean
Elton John
The Libertines
A&R Executive Entrepreneurship
Artist Development
Independent Label Consolidation
Executive Appointments
Record Labels
United Kingdom
Artist-Centric Label Models
London, GB
Company Launches
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This article was selected by the author based on their judgement that it would be interesting to readers.
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
📨 Subscribe to NIF
Get news dropped in your inbox 👇
Related Articles
Careers & People
Sep 5, 2025
1 min read
Jordi Tello Named MD of Sony Music Publishing Iberia
The appointment follows the retirement of Juan Ignacio Alonso
Careers & People
Sep 5, 2025
1 min read
Big Machine Label Group Expands International Team
It will helm the label’s efforts across the UK, Australia and more
Careers & People
Sep 4, 2025
1 min read
Virgin Music Group Southeast Asia Appoints Cindy Gu as General Manager
Gu was previously Managing Director of Fabled Records
Jordi Tello Named MD of Sony Music Publishing Iberia
The appointment follows the retirement of Juan Ignacio Alonso
Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 5, 2025
Big Machine Label Group Expands International Team
It will helm the label’s efforts across the UK, Australia and more
Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 5, 2025
Virgin Music Group Southeast Asia Appoints Cindy Gu as General Manager
Gu was previously Managing Director of Fabled Records
Harry Levin
Careers
Sep 4, 2025
James Moodie Tapped as MD of Distiller Music Group
Formerly of The Orchard, the appointment is effective immediately
Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 4, 2025
Warner Music Group Announces New Leadership to Support UK-US Collaboration
The partnership will center on flagship labels Atlantic Records and Warner Music
Harry Levin
Careers
Sep 3, 2025
Christopher Södergren Joins Sony Music in New D2C Role
The exec will focus on the company’s direct-to-consumer strategies
Rod Yates
Careers
Sep 3, 2025
