Greg Kurstin

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Greg Kurstin
Img_capt = Greg Kurstin
Profession = Producer, songwriter, artist, keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist
Born = Los Angeles, CA
Origin = United States
Genre = Alternative rock
Indie pop
Dance pop
Electronic
Years_active = 1982-Present
Label = Blue Note Records
URL = [http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/greg-kurstin_profile.html/]

Gregory A Kurstin (born May 14, 1969) [California Birth Index, 1905-1995] is an American songwriter, producer, performer, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, who resides in Los Angeles, California. He attended California State University Northridge, The New School in New York City and graduated from Cal Arts in California. He is one-half of The Bird and the Bee.

Personal life

Greg Kurstin was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Kurstin's earliest musical 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.

During his teenage years, he continued his jazz studies but began to perform with local bands in the Los Angeles area. Through his collaborations, he was introduced to new wave, punk and african music. At age 12 he performed in Dweezil Zappa's band and co-wrote "Crunchy Water" [ [http://www.discogs.com/release/877175 Dweezil-My Mother Is A Space Cadet] ] , the b-side to Los Angeles' KROQ's staple "My Mother Is A Space Cadet". It was also in high school that Kurstin first gained interest in recording by working with a 4-track recorder.

After high school, Kurstin moved to New York City to study with Charles Mingus' piano player, Jaki Byard, at The New School, an institution well-known for its strong arts program Fact|date=March 2008. He continued to spend much time performing jazz but became immersed in New York's melting pot music scene. He was introduced to Brazilian music. He learned the fundamentals of Brazilian music and would learn to play the Berimbau. He would later play this instrument on sessions with Beck's album "The Information". [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0cfrxq8dld6e~T2 Beck-The Information All Music Guide] ] New York's hip hop scene caught his ear and became interested in groups such as De La Soul, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest. His obsession with these groups had a great deal of influence on his songwriting. [ [http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/default.aspx?aid=3290 Greg Kurstin-Blue Thumb Records Biography] ]

Upon his return to Los Angeles, Greg 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. [ [http://www.luakabop.com/geggy_tah/cmp/info.html Geggy Tah-Luaka Bop Artist Page] ] 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 Your Are" which peaked at #16 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart. Kurstin continued to perform jazz and played with the likes of Bobby Hutcherson, George Coleman and Charles McPherson [ [http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/artist/default.aspx?aid=3290 Greg Kurstin-Blue Thumb Records Biography] ] .

Multi-instrumental work

Kurstin has played and performed with Beck, Red Hot Chili Peppers [ [http://pipl.com/directory/people/Greg/Kurstin Greg Kurstin-Pipl.com] ] , Yusef Islam [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/an-other-cup-deluxe-edition-2006-album-by-cat-stevens?cat=entertainment Yusef Islam-An Other Cup-Deluxe Edition Review Answers.com] ] , Jane's Addiction, Ben Harper, Rilo Kiley, Bob Moog, among many others. He was also the musical director for Gwen Stefani's live and television performances. [ [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/observer/story/0,,1826838,00.htmlLily Allen-The Guardian UK Bush Hall Live Review] ] 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 [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0443411/news Tony Kaye-IMDb] ] . His multi-instrumental work appears on many albums.

Appears on

*2008: Ladyhawke - "Ladyhawke" – Island Records
*2008: Sia - "Some People Have Real Problems" – Hear Music
*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: 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
*2005: Lily Allen - "Alright, Still" – Parlophone
*2005: Inara George - "All Rise" – Everloving
*2005: Marion Raven - "Here I Am" – Atlantic
*2004: Juanes - "Mi Sangre" – Universal Latino
*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 Hassell & Bluescreen - "Dressing for Pleasure" – Warner Bros. Records
*1982: Dweezil Zappa - "My Mother is a Space Cadet" - 7" – Barking Pumpkin

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 jazz and '60s Tropicalia [ [http://www.subba-cultcha.com/article_feature.php?id=4757 Subba-Cultcha/The Bird and The Bee] ] . 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 "Fcking Boyfriend" [cite news
last = Reyes-Kulkami
first = Saby
title = The Bird and The Bee is lounge music without the kitsch
publisher = New York Press
date = 2007-11-14
url = http://www.newyorkpress.com/20/46/music/music.cfm
accessdate = 2008-03-12]

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”. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI3g9RaVkdY The Bird and The Bee-Polite Dance Song You Tube] ] On Valentine’s Day 2008, they released their EP, "One Too Many Hearts" as a gift to their fans [ [http://technorati.com/posts/Ils7PgGsnfA1EB%2FP2migckwxlJPMJRp7Hc89t5pZaKA%3D The Bird and The Bee-One Too Many Hearts EP for Valentine’s Day] ] .

The Bird and the Bee Discography

*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)

Producer and songwriter

Kurstin's work is influenced by his collaborative experiences with a wide range people from Beck to visionary keyboard inventor Bob Moog.His production and songwriting is found on a wide range of albums. Kurstin has written and produced with Lily Allen [ [http://www.avclub.com/content/node/58572 Lilly Allen AV Club Intereview] ] , Kylie Minogue, Peaches [ [http://www.emusic.com/album/Peaches-Impeach-My-Bush-MP3-Download/10939568.html Peaches-Impeach My Bush Emusic Review] ] , Flaming Lips [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/mixingit/pip/dj6sw/ BBC Radio 3 Review] ] , Karen O, All Saints [ [http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=801&Itemid=9 Why We Love Greg Kurstin-Pop Justice] ] , Sia, Pink, Natasha Bedingfield, Donna Summer and Julian Perretta. Kurstin is known to take experimental or avant-garde sounds and incorporate them into his songwriting and production. He also weaves complex musical passages with the simplest of melodies.

Producer/songwriter discography

*2008: Donna Summer - Crayons
*2008: Kylie Minogue - "In My Arms Single [Kylie Minogue-Wow Single Wikipedia Article] " –Parlophone:"Do It Again” :"Carried Away”
*2008: Natasha Bedingfield - "Pocketful Of Sunshine" –Epic:"Backyard”
*2008: Kylie Minogue - "Wow Single" [Kylie Minogue-Wow Song-Wikipedia Article] –Parlophone:"Wow” :"Do It Again” :"Carried Away”
*2008: Sia - "Some People Have Real Problems" –Hear Music:"Death By Chocolate”
*2007: Kylie Minogue - "X" –Parlophone:"Wow” :"No More Rain”
*2007: Lily Allen - "Alright, Still" –Capitol Records:"Everything’s Just Wonderful” :"Not Big” :"Alfie”
*2007: Sophie Ellis-Bextor - "Trip The Light Fantastic" –Polydor UK:"Catch You”
*2007: Dead Disco - "You’re Out-Single" –679 Recordings
*2006: Flaming Lips - "At War with the Mystics" –Warner Bros. Records:"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 - "Rocksteady Single" –Parlophone
*2006: All Saints - "Studio 1" –Parlophone:"Rocksteady” :"On and On” :"Not Easy” :"One Me and U” :"Headlock” :"In It To Win It”
*2006: Karen O/Peaches - "Jackass Number Two Soundtrack" –XL Recordings:"Backass”
*2006: Pink - "I’m Not Dead-Expanded Version" –LaFace:"Centerfold”
*2006: Belinda - "Utopia" –EMI:"Utopia”
*2005: Rachel Stevens - "I Said Never Again (But Here We Are!)" –19 Recordings:"Waiting Game”
*2005: Jessica Simpson-"A Public Affair"-Epic:”A Public Affair”:”If You Were Mine”
*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

References

External links

* [http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/artist_profile/greg-kurstin_profile.html/ EMI Profile]
* [http://www.thebirdandthebee.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee/ Official myspace page]
* [http://cruxy.com/features/tbatb/ Copy & paste flash player]
* [http://cruxy.com/features/tbatb/sl/ Second Life listening lounge]
* [http://www.superdeluxe.com/sd/contentDetail.do?id=D81F2344BF5AC7BBB0E9B1DB1257E688ED5136B28FF4F4FD/ Polite Dance Music Video]
* [http://gabesview.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/the-bird-and-the-bee-please-clap-your-hands/ Review of Please Clap Your Hands at Gabe's View]
* [http://www.ocweekly.com/index.php?option=com_slideshow&type=1&gallery=1037&Itemid=296 Photos: The Bird and the Bee at Detroit Bar on 01/05/2008]