Greg Kurstin
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| Greg Kurstin | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Gregory Allen Kurstin[1] |
| Born | May 14, 1969 |
| Associated acts | Geggy Tah, The Bird and the Bee, Lily Allen, Hard-Fi, Kelly Clarkson |
Gregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin (born May 14, 1969)[2][3] is an award-winning[4] American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award[5] nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear". He is one half of The Bird and the Bee and was also a member of Geggy Tah.
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[edit] Personal life
Kurstin was born and raised in Los Angeles. His earliest musical memory came from his grandmother playing piano for him when he was a baby. He started playing piano when he was five years old. Kurstin would later inherit her piano and spend hours practicing the fundamentals of jazz and blues music.
At age 12 he performed in Dweezil Zappa's band and co-wrote "Crunchy Water",[6] the b-side to Los Angeles' KROQ-FM's staple "My Mother Is A Space Cadet".
After high school, Kurstin moved to New York City to study with Charles Mingus' piano player, Jaki Byard, at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, a world renowned jazz conservatory.[7] He played with a variety of Jazz legends including Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman and Charles McPherson.[8]
[edit] Multi-instrumental work
Kurstin has played and performed with Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers,[9] Yusuf Islam,[10] Flaming Lips, Bob Moog, among many others. He was also the musical director for Gwen Stefani's live and television performances.[11] Kurstin played for Marlon Brando during his lunch breaks from Tony Kaye's infamous Marlon Brando documentary. Kaye's documentary was eventually pulled from London's Raindance Film Festival.[12] His multi-instrumental work appears on many albums. Greg is nominated for a Grammy as Producer of the Year (2010).
[edit] Appears on
- 2012:Tegan and Sara - TBA - Sire Records
- 2012: Dido - TBA - Arista Records
- 2011: Dia Frampton - Red - Universal Records
- 2011: Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You
- 2011: Foster the People - Torches
- 2011: Kelly Clarkson - Stronger - RCA Records
- 2011: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Make a Scene - EBGB's/Universal Records
- 2010: The Wanted - The Wanted
- 2010: Sia - We Are Born - Sony Music
- 2010: KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit - Relentless Records
- 2010: Gabriella Cilmi - Ten
- 2010: Kesha Sebert - Animal – RCA Records
- 2009: Little Boots - Hands - 679 Recordings
- 2009: Shirley Manson - In The Snow - Unsigned Demo
- 2009: Kris Allen - Kris Allen - Jive Records
- 2009: Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You - Parlophone
- 2008: Britney Spears - Circus (Deluxe Edition) – Jive Records
- 2008: Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke – Island Records
- 2008: Sia - Some People Have Real Problems – Hear Music
- 2007: Dragonette - Galore - Mercury Records
- 2007: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Catch You – Polydor UK
- 2007: The Bird and the Bee - Please Clap Your Hands - EP – Blue Note
- 2007: Dead Disco - "You're Out" - Single – 679 Recordings
- 2007: Kylie Minogue - X – Parlophone
- 2007: Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight – Warner Bros. Records
- 2006: All Saints - Studio 1 – Parlophone
- 2006: Beck - The Information – Interscope Records
- 2006: The Bird and the Bee - S/T – Blue Note
- 2006: The Flaming Lips - At War with the Mystics – Warner Bros. Records
- 2006: Jamelia - "Beware of the Dog" – Parlophone
- 2006: Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat – Team Love
- 2006: The Elected – Sun, Sun, Sun – Sub Pop
- 2006: Nelly Furtado - Loose – Geffen
- 2006: Belinda - Utopia – EMI
- 2006: Peaches - Impeach My Bush – XL Recordings
- 2006: Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Snow ((Hey Oh))" - Maxi Single – Warner Bros. Records
- 2006: Stefy - The Orange Album – Wind-up
- 2006: Lily Allen - Alright, Still – Parlophone
- 2005: Inara George - All Rise – Everloving
- 2005: Marion Raven - Here I Am – Atlantic
- 2004: Juanes - Mi Sangre – Universal Latino
- 2004: John Frusciante - Shadows Collide with People - Warner Bros. Records ("Of Before" Japanese bonus track)
- 2003: Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside – Virgin Records
- 2003: The New Folk Implosion - s/t – BMG
- 2002: Terri Lyne Carrington - Jazz Is A Spirit – Act Music
- 2002: Willie Waldman - Trumpet Ride – Rhombus Records
- 2002: Jason Mraz - Waiting for My Rocket to Come – Elektra
- 2001: Darren Hayes - Spin (album) – Columbia
- 2001: Sugar Ray - S/T – Atlantic
- 1999: Action Figure Party - S/T – Blue Thumb
- 1999: Robben Ford - Supernatural – Blue Thumb
- 1999: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication – Warner Bros. Records
- 1994: John Frusciante - "Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt" - American Records
- 1994: John Hassell & Bluescreen - Dressing for Pleasure – Warner Bros. Records
- 1982: Dweezil Zappa - My Mother is a Space Cadet - 7" – Barking Pumpkin
[edit] Geggy Tah
After his studies, Kurstin returned to Los Angeles where he began writing and recording music with singer-songwriter Tommy Jordan. They formed the band Geggy Tah. Their eclectic musical sound caught the ear of David Byrne of Talking Heads. Byrne signed the band to his Luaka Bop label.[13] They released three records, which he co-produced with Tommy Jordan and Susan Rogers. Their first record, Grand Opening appeared in 1994. Their 1996 release, Sacred Cow, spawned the hit single, "Whoever You Are" which peaked at #16 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. He also performed with Pamelia Kurstin, the accomplished theremin-playing multi-instrumentalist, to whom he was also married for a time. Kurstin continued to perform jazz and played with the likes of Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman and Charles McPherson.[8]
[edit] The Bird and the Bee
In 2005, Mike Andrews introduced Kurstin to Inara George. Kurstin and George found themselves spending hours in the studio together where they discovered their mutual interest in '60s Tropicalia.[14] They began to explore new sounds and textures while working in the studio. This resulted in their debut EP, Again and Again and Again, released in October 2006. The Bird and the Bee's self-titled LP was released the following year by Blue Note. It spawned a number one hit on the U.S. Hot Dance Club chart with a remix of "F*cking Boyfriend"[15]
The pair also released a five-song EP entitled Please Clap Your Hands which featured a cover of the Bee Gees' ‘How Deep Is Your Love’. Their songs “Again & Again” and “Please Clap Your Hands” were featured in the TV show, Grey’s Anatomy. In 2007 the song “La La La” was used for the iPod touch commercial, however it never aired on television. In honor of the holidays, The Bird and The Bee released Carol of The Bells on November 27, 2007 and iTunes featured it as the Free Single Of The Week. The same year they hit the road and joined indie pop act Rilo Kiley on their fall tour. Comedian Eric Wareheim, from Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! directed their video for “Polite Dance Song”.[16] On Valentine’s Day 2008, they released their EP, One Too Many Hearts as a gift to their fans.[17]
[edit] The Bird and the Bee Discography
- 2010 March: Interpreting The Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates, Blue Note Records (LP)
- 2009 January: Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future, Blue Note Records (LP)
- 2008 February: One Too Many Hearts, Blue Note Records (EP)
- 2007 September: Please Clap Your Hands, Blue Note Records (EP)
- 2007 January: The Bird and the Bee, Blue Note Records (LP)
- 2006 October: Again and Again and Again and Again (EP)
[edit] Producer and songwriter
Kurstin's production and songwriting is found on a wide range of albums. He has written and produced with Lily Allen,[18] Kylie Minogue, Peaches,[19] The Flaming Lips,[20] Karen O, Little Boots, All Saints,[21] Sia, Pink, DEVO, and Donna Summer.
[edit] Producer/songwriter discography
- 2011: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - "Make a Scene"
- 2011: Ximena Sariñana - Ximena Sariñana - Warner Music
- 2011: Kelly Clarkson - Stronger - 19 Recordings/RCA Records
- "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"
- "Dark Side"
- "Honestly"
- 2011: Foster the People - Torches - Startime International
- 2010: Kesha - Cannibal - RCA Records
- 2010: Mike Posner - 31 Minutes to Takeoff
- 2010: DEVO - Something For Everybody
- 2010: Sia - We Are Born
- 2010: KT Tunstall - Tiger Suit - Relentless Records
- (Still a) Weirdo
- "Glamour Puss"
- "Oh No!"
- 2010: Kesha - Animal - RCA Records
- 2010: 3OH!3 - "Streets of Gold"
- 2009: Little Boots - Hands - 679 Recordings
- "New in Town"
- "Earthquake"
- "Stuck on Repeat"
- "Meddle"
- "Mathematics"
- 2009: Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You - Parlophone
- 2008: Britney Spears - Circus (Deluxe Edition) – Jive Records
- 2008: Ladyhawke - Ladyhawke – Island Records
- 2008: Donna Summer - Crayons
- 2008: Kylie Minogue - In My Arms Single [22] –Parlophone
- "Do It Again”
- "Carried Away”
- 2008: Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine –Epic
- "Backyard”
- 2008: Kylie Minogue - Wow Single[23] –Parlophone
- "Wow”
- "Do It Again”
- "Carried Away”
- 2008: Sia - Some People Have Real Problems –Hear Music
- "Death By Chocolate”
- 2007: Dragonette - Galore - Mercury Records
- "Competition”
- "True Believer”
- "Black Limousine”
- 2007: Kylie Minogue - X –Parlophone
- "Wow”
- "No More Rain”
- "Catch You”
- 2007: Dead Disco - You're Out-Single –679 Recordings
- 2006: Lily Allen - Alright, Still –Capitol Records
- "Everything’s Just Wonderful”
- "Not Big”
- "Alfie”
- "Haven’t Got a Clue"
- 2006: Peaches - Downtown 7” –XL Recordings
- "Downtown”
- 2006: Peaches - Impeach My Bush –XL Recordings
- "Tent In Your Pants”
- "Downtown”
- 2006: All Saints - Rock Steady –Parlophone
- 2006: All Saints - Studio 1 –Parlophone
- "Rocksteady”
- "On and On”
- "Not Eazy”
- "One Me and U”
- "Headlock”
- "In It To Win It”
- "Backass”
- 2006: Pink - I'm Not Dead-Expanded Version –LaFace
- "Centerfold”
- 2005: Rachel Stevens - I Said Never Again (But Here We Are) –19 Recordings
- "Waiting Game”
- 2001: Geggy Tah - Into the Oh- Luaka Bop
- 2000: Action Figure Party-Blue Thumb Records
- 1996: Geggy Tah - Sacred Cow- Luaka Bop
- 1994: Geggy Tah - Grand Opening- Luaka Bop
[edit] References
- ^ USA People Search
- ^ allmusic
- ^ Family Tree Legends
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Dweezil-My Mother Is A Space Cadet
- ^ [3]
- ^ a b Greg Kurstin-Blue Thumb Records Biography
- ^ Greg Kurstin-Pipl.com
- ^ Yusuf Islam-An Other Cup-Deluxe Edition Review Answers.com
- ^ Allen-The Guardian UK Bush Hall Live Review
- ^ Tony Kaye-IMDb
- ^ Geggy Tah-Luaka Bop Artist Page
- ^ Subba-Cultcha/The Bird and The Bee
- ^ Reyes-Kulkami, Saby (2007-11-14). "The Bird and The Bee is lounge music without the kitsch". New York Press. http://www.newyorkpress.com/20/46/music/music.cfm. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
- ^ The Bird and The Bee-Polite Dance Song You Tube
- ^ The Bird and The Bee-One Too Many Hearts EP for Valentine’s Day
- ^ Lilly Allen AV Club Intereview
- ^ Peaches-Impeach My Bush Emusic Review
- ^ BBC Radio 3 Review
- ^ Why We Love Greg Kurstin-Pop Justice
- ^ Kylie Minogue-Wow Single Wikipedia Article
- ^ Kylie Minogue-Wow Song-Wikipedia Article
[edit] External links
- Second Life listening lounge
- Polite Dance Music Video
- Review of Please Clap Your Hands at Gabe's View
- Photos: The Bird and the Bee at Detroit Bar on 01/05/2008
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