Greg Kurstin, the producer behind Foo Fighters’ new release Concrete and Gold and a multiple Grammy Award-winner with Adele, has announced he is extending his long running partnership with Sony/ATV. As well as expanding his worldwide publishing deal with the label, he is launching a brand new joint venture aimed at signing up-and-coming songwriters, musicians and producers.
Back in February Kurstin scored four Grammy wins for his work on Adele’s global smash ’25’, including album, song and record of the year. In a stellar pop career he has also worked alongside Sia, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Ellie Goulding.
Kurstin set out his vision for the new venture to Billboard earlier this week. ‘I’m looking for talent, drive and, to be quite honest, to work with people I really like'.
In keeping with this mission statement, the first signees to to modestly-titled ’No Expectations Publishing’ are Kurstin’s longtime collaborator, multi-instrumentalist Wendy Wang, and his former engineer Jesse Shatkin. Shatkin produced and co-wrote Kelly Clarkson’s new single ‘Love So Soft’, and also had a hand in Fall Out Boy’s comeback hit ‘Champion’.
Kurstin is evangelical about his new stable of artists: "I really like listening to [Wendy and Jesse’s] tracks and giving them feedback. With Jesse, Wendy and future signees, I see us working together as a team. I’m continually inspired by them."
He’s also keen to credit Sony/ATV for committing to help build his signee’s profiles, and also has fond words for his manager and partner Rachel Kurstin. "I would never leave the studio if it wasn’t for her. Together we have this vision to sign writers and help guide their careers."
This year Kurstin has also reportedly been putting the finishing touches on Paul McCartney’s forthcoming LP, Beck’s new record and the likely new number one album from Foo Fighters. See our chat with the Foo’s Chris Shiflett here.
Last night the foo Fighters were again joined onstage at London’s 02 by 80’s pop icon Rick Astley, amid probably spurious rumours of an upcoming collaboration.
