Martin Kierszenbaum, also known by his pseudonym Cherry Cherry Boom Boom, is an American record executive and record producer.[1] He founded Cherrytree Records (or The Cherrytree Music Company) in 2005, a record label and management company through which he has signed artists including Lady Gaga, Sting, Keane, LMFAO, Disclosure, Ellie Goulding, Far East Movement, Feist, La Roux, the Knux, Robyn, t.A.T.u., and Natalia Kills. He has been credited on releases by Madonna, Mylène Farmer, Tokio Hotel, Feist, Ai, Samantha Fish, and Alexandra Burke.
Martin Kierszenbaum | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 |
| Occupations |
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| Title | Chairman of the Cherrytree Music Company |
Kierszenbaum releases music under his own name and his stage name Cherry Cherry Boom Boom.
Biography
editKierszenbaum grew up studying piano. He lived in South America, UK and Continental Europe before eventually moving to New Haven, Connecticut. He then moved to Michigan.[2]
He graduated from University of Michigan with a B.A. in music theory, Spanish Literature, and Communication. He then went on to the Annenberg School of University of Southern California to complete his master's degree in communications management.[3]
Career
editKierszenbaum co-founded independent record label Arb Recordings, which released the hip-hop duo Maroon, which he also co-founded under the moniker Mk Chilly Dog. The band existed 1985–1994.[4]
Kierszenbaum then got a job at the PolyGram Music Group mailroom. During 1989-1991 he worked as an international publicity manager at Warner Bros Records.[2] Later, he worked as publicist in the international division of A&M Records and by 1998 he was working for its new owner Interscope Records (Universal's unit) as the head of international marketing. Kierszenbaum was promoted to head of international operations and was responsible for discovering and signing non-American artists. His idea to promote t.A.T.u's single "All the Things She Said", whose lyrics he wrote, in Japan through karaoke bars led to 1.7 mil copies sold in the country.[5][6][7] He promoted Eminem and Limp Bizkit on the European market.
In 2005, he founded the music management, record label and publishing firm Cherrytree Music Company.[7]
He was also working as President of A&R Pop/Rock at Interscope Records and head of international operations at Interscope Geffen A&M Records.[8][9] There he signed Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Disclosure and t.A.T.u.[10]
Music
editKierszenbaum wrote and produced songs for 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane by t.A.T.u. He also wrote and produced on Lady Gaga's debut album The Fame.
His pseudonym, Cherry Cherry Boom Boom, is referred to in the Lady Gaga songs "Christmas Tree", "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)", "The Fame", "I Like It Rough" and "Starstruck". Also in the song "I Wanna Touch You" by Colby O'Donis and "White Flag" by Far East Movement featuring Kayla Kai, from their album Free Wired.[citation needed] It is also referenced in some of Space Cowboy's music such as his singles "Falling Down", "I Came 2 Party" (that featured Cinema Bizarre), and the first part of his pseudonym "cherry cherry" is referred to in "Not in Love" by Natalia Kills.[citation needed]
He featured on a remix of Far East Movement's "Like a G6" with Colette Carr called "G6 (V6 Reflip)". He also features on backing vocals on “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)” by Lady Gaga and "Not In Love", a track from Natalia Kills's debut album, Perfectionist.[citation needed] Kierszenbaum is also a co-writer on Halsey's "Nightmare" (2019).
Kierszenbaum produced Sting's "57th & 9th" album, several songs on the GRAMMY-award-winning "44/876" album by Sting & Shaggy, Mylène Farmer's platinum "Interstellaires" album and the Samantha Fish album “Faster.” He also co-produced Sting's “The Bridge” album with Sting.
Kierszenbaum produced and co-wrote many of the songs on the 2021 Samantha Fish album Faster.[11]
Kierszenbaum is also a member in the rock group DETROIT DREAMERS.
References
edit- ^ "Corner Office: Martin Kierszenbaum, Chairman of Cherrytree, on Working with Lady Gaga, A&R'ing Sting and the Streaming Debate". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-09-18.
- ^ a b Regen, Jon. "Martin Kierszenbaum". KeyboardMag. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Maroon" (PDF). Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Maroon, Lost Classics of Hip Hop". arbrecordings.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Leeds, Jeff (5 December 2007). "Cherrytree Records - Martin Kierszenbaum - Pop Marketing". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Cherrytree boss Martin Kierszenbaum on streaming, Sting & Shaggy and the future of the record biz". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ a b Holslin, Peter (2 February 2016). "What's Next for the Former Interscope Affiliate That Helped Launch Lady Gaga and Feist?". LA Weekly. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Kawashima, Dale. "Interview With Martin Kierszenbaum, Chairman Of Cherrytree Records, President Of A&R Pop/Rock At Interscope Records And Head Of International Operations For Interscope-Geffen-A&M". Songwriter's Universe. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ Leeds, Jeff (5 December 2007). "As U.S. Pop Wanes Abroad, Talent Scout Looks Wide". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ^ "Martin Kierszenbaum on Signing t.A.T.u. to Interscope, Launching Cherrytree". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ Samantha Fish – Faster (2021, Red Translucent, Vinyl), retrieved 2021-12-13
Forbes Q&A: Martin Kierszenbaum On Being An Artist, Executive, Manager And More https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2023/11/12/qa-martin-kieszernbaum-on-being-an-artist-exec-manager-and-more/?sh=4d58f0562acf
Oakland Press Michigan-raised impresario’s music path leads to new album https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2024/01/06/michigan-raised-impresarios-music-path-leads-to-new-album/
Music Business Worldwide MARTIN KIERSZENBAUM ON WORKING WITH STING, STREAMING’S IMPACT ON A&R, AND WHY HE’S A MUSIC BIZ OPTIMIST https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/martin-kierszenbaum-on-working-with-sting-streamings-impact-on-ar-and-why-hes-a-music-biz-optimist/