Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Greg Kurstin launches JV with Sony/ATV, extends publishing deal | Music Business Worldwide

One of the most in-demand writers/producers in the world, Greg Kurstin, has launched a JV with Sony/ATV to sign songwriters and musicians.

The news comes as Kurstin extends his existing worldwide deal with the major publisher.

Kurstin won four honors at this year’s Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for his work with Adele and scoring a global No. 1 hit as the co-writer of Sia’s “Cheap Thrills”.

The first new signing to Kurstin and Sony/ATV’s JV is songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Wendy Wang.

Songwriter Jesse Shatkin, who was brought by Kurstin to Sony/ATV and has had hits with acts such as Sia (“Chandelier”, “Alive”), One Direction (“Perfect”) and Fall Out Boy (new single “Champion”), has moved across to the JV.

Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier said: “Greg is simply the best at what he does. He is an incredible songwriter, a producer extraordinaire and has an amazing ability to discover and nurture new talent.

“I’m so proud to be associated with this great guy and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.”

Martin Bandier, Sony/ATV

“I’m so proud to be associated with this great guy and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.”

Sony/ATV Senior Vice President, Co-Head of West Coast A&R Amanda Berman-Hill said: “It has been such a great honor to have worked with Greg all these years because there is not a more humble, gracious and talented songwriter and producer in the industry.

“We now have the opportunity to develop songwriters and producers with him with the launch of our new joint venture, which is already off to a great start with Jesse Shatkin and Wendy Wang. We are so excited about what the future holds.”

Greg Kurstin said: “I have had a long and great relationship with the Sony/ATV team who have always been incredible supporters of my career. I have no doubt that they will give the same kind of backing to the songwriters and producers signed to the JV as they have given me.”

His manager Rachel Kurstin, of No Expectations, said: “Working alongside our team at Sony/ATV has been hugely rewarding and we have achieved so much already. So I cannot think of a better partner for this new joint venture, which I am confident will uncover many great new songwriters and producers.”

 

Having initially experienced success as a recording artist, firstly with the band Geggy Tah and then alongside singer Inara George as the duo The Bird and the Bee, Kurstin achieved his first notable breakthrough as a songwriter/producer for other acts with Lily Allen, beginning with her 2006 debut Alright, Still.

He co-wrote Allen’s 2009 follow-up It’s Not Me, It’s You, which topped the U.K. chart and included the No. 1 single “The Fear”. The project won the pair three Ivor Novello awards, including Songwriters of the Year.

Kurstin and Allen both collaborated with Pink on the hit “True Love” from Pink’s Grammy-nominated 2012 album The Truth About Love. It was one of several contributions by Kurstin to the album, the most successful being the transatlantic top five hit “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)”.

Among the many other artists who have recorded his songs are Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson (including the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 and Grammy-nominated “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”), Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding (including the U.K. No. 1 single “Burn”), Lykke Li, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Gwen Stefani and Tegan & Sara.

He also works regularly with songwriter and producer Jesse Shatkin, including on projects for artists such as Sia. Shatkin, who was brought to Sony/ATV by Kurstin, will be part of the new JV.

Kurstin contributed to Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN and Halsey’s hopeless fountain kingdom, which both debuted at No. 1 in the U.S. this year, has worked with former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher on his forthcoming debut solo album As You Were, including co-writing and producing the hit single “Wall Of Glass”, and has spent much of 2017 producing the new Foo Fighters album Concrete and Gold. He is also the main collaborator on Beck’s forthcoming album.

[Pictured, left to right, in the photo are Sony/ATV Senior Vice President, Co-Head of West Coast A&R Amanda Berman-Hill, Greg Kurstin and Greg’s manager Rachel Kurstin.]Music Business Worldwide

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