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With over 40 years of combined PR experience, HOLD TIGHT was established in 2010 by James Monteith and Nathan ‘Barley’ Phillips, founder of Basick Records, alongside freelance PR specialist Lisa Coverdale. United by a shared passion for forward-thinking music, the trio have been instrumental in shaping the prog, tech, djent, and metalcore scenes across Europe. Their early work with iconic bands such as Bury Tomorrow, Fell Silent, Monuments, Born Of Osiris, and The Faceless helped redefine the sound of modern metal. In 2012, Lisa officially joined HOLD TIGHT, expanding the roster to include the best in doom, sludge, and extreme metal, with artists like High on Fire, Ihsahn, Winterfylleth, MØL, and Boss Keloid. Together, they continue to drive innovation and visibility in the world of heavy music
Director Matt Benton joined Basick / HOLD TIGHT in 2013 as an intern after completing a degree in music at Cambridge. Matt has established himself as an indispensable asset in the music industry, with a proven track record of breaking influential bands such as Heriot, Conjurer, Ithaca and Voice Of Baceprot. His expertise extends beyond traditional boundaries, helping to expand HOLD TIGHT’s reach into more avant-garde and experimental genres. Over the years, Matt has worked across an eclectic range of styles, from Mongolian folk metal to chiptune, amassing an impressive portfolio of cover designs and global features that have caught the attention of both fans and industry leaders. Recently on secondment at Nuclear Blast, covering maternity leave, Matt has contributed to high-profile campaigns for clients such as Sepultura (on their final headline tour), Anthrax, Alcest and others. His versatility and ability to adapt to diverse musical landscapes have made him a trusted collaborator for some of the biggest names in metal and beyond.
Hannah Gillicker, Director of Hold Tight Broadcast, joined us as an intern in 2014 after earning her Management degree from Leeds University. She became a full-time member of the team in 2015, quickly showcasing her vast skill set and passion for great music. Hannah’s expertise in radio plugging led her to develop Hold Tight’s radio service, achieving significant success with artists like Sleep Token, Billy Talent, Creeper, Holding Absence, VV and many more.
Darren Gosling joined HOLD TIGHT in 2019 as a freelance digital marketer and quickly became a full-time team member in 2020. Bringing a wealth of expertise from his previous role at digital advertising agency Digital Gearbox, Darren works with bands across a broad range of genres, developing targeted digital strategies that amplify their reach and impact in the ever-evolving music landscape.
Outside of music, Director James Monteith brings a diverse background from the corporate, charity, and arts sectors. With five years as an account manager at media intelligence agency Gorkana and two years as a marketing manager at Shape Arts, a disability arts organisation, James combines a strategic business mindset with a creative edge. As a professional musician, he also plays guitar for the progressive metal band TesseracT and Cage Fight, blending his passion for music with his PR expertise.
Lisa Coverdale offers a decade of corporate marketing and PR experience, having worked with high-profile clients such as Royal Bank of Scotland, O2, DHL, Visa, HP, HSBC, and SKY. Her extensive corporate background enhances her ability to navigate and elevate diverse industries.
Nathan ‘Barley’ Phillips, co-founder of HOLD TIGHT, left and transitioned to a new chapter in 2018. He is now Head of A&R (Europe) at Nuclear Blast Records, continuing to shape the future of heavy music from a global perspective.
Meet the team
HOLD TIGHT PR & MARKETING
HOLD TIGHT BROADCAST
Testimonials
“Speaking from the press side of things, Hold Tight PR are always a pleasure to work with. We’re bombarded with 150 some-odd press requests every day, but Hold Tight’s always jump to the top. That’s because the people at the company approach pitches with a discerning eye; I know that if I receive something from them there’s a really good chance I’ll like it, because they know better than to ask me otherwise. Other publicists should take a hint from that approach!”
“Having worked with dozens of PR companies and labels, we at Heavy Blog is Heavy are always thrilled to see that Hold Tight are on a case. They blend professionalism with a personal touch, making sure that any project (be it band, album, event, video, you name it) gets the loving attention it deserves. It’s always a pleasure to work with them and their roster, as we know we’ll get all the info and assistance we need to help us make sure any campaign goes off without a hitch. They also have the best cats.”
“When you receive hundreds of emails and CDs every day, you soon start to notice patterns. You subconsciously get a feel for what something’s going to be like, before you’ve even clicked play.Although I listen to everything I receive (eventually) as such, the reality is that I will naturally gravitate towards sources I trust as a priority - and I trust Hold Tight PR. I don’t think I can remember the last time that they sent me something I didn’t like. They are a source for me and if I was still in a band these days, I’d want to be part of that source.”
“Each year it gets harder to cut through the noise, with hundreds of PR emails coming to Metal Injection every day. So I put Hold Tight PR at the top of my must-read list because I can always depend on them to present me with something new and exciting. They’re some of the most personable and professional people I know in the PR game, and really bring out the best in their clients. If you’re looking for a PR agency who believes in their bands, and is daring enough to make create house hold names across the globe, then you should consider Hold Tight your new friends.”
