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| Martin Kierszenbaum | |
|---|---|
| Name | Martin Kierszenbaum |
| Birth date | 1968 |
| Birth place | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Occupation | Music industry executive, producer, songwriter, A&R |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
Martin Kierszenbaum is an American music industry executive, songwriter, and record producer known for his work with global pop, rock, and electronic artists. He has held senior A&R and executive positions at major labels and management companies while producing and co-writing charting singles and albums. His career bridges roles at Interscope Records, Chrysalis Records, and independent production, collaborating with an array of artists across genres.
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kierszenbaum grew up amid the Midwestern music scenes connected to Detroit and Chicago and later moved to New York City to pursue music and academia. He attended programs associated with institutions such as University of Michigan and participated in cultural networks tied to New York University and the Manhattan School of Music. Early influences cited include exposure to artists from Motown labels, producers from Warner Music Group, and international acts touring through Madison Square Garden and CBGB. His formative years intersected with scenes associated with R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, and U2 tours that passed through the Midwest and East Coast.
Kierszenbaum's career began in A&R and label promotion, engaging with executives at Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and independent labels such as Matador Records and Sub Pop. He rose to prominence during the expansion of pop and electronic music in the late 1990s and 2000s, working alongside figures from Geffen Records, Island Records, and Capitol Records. His network expanded to include collaborations with producers and songwriters linked to Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Timbaland, Mark Ronson, and Will.i.am. Kierszenbaum's role placed him in contact with artists including Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Sting, Christina Aguilera, and Kylie Minogue during major album cycles and global tours.
In A&R and executive capacities, Kierszenbaum served at entities connected to Interscope Geffen A&M, working alongside executives from Jimmy Iovine’s circles and teams that managed catalogs from Aftermath Entertainment, DGC Records, and Polydor Records. He handled signings and project development for acts related to The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie, Sia, Tove Lo, and Charli XCX, while coordinating releases distributed via partners including Warner Bros. Records, EMI, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing. His executive activities linked him to festival circuits such as Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and Lollapalooza, and to touring infrastructures involving Live Nation, AEG Presents, and venue chains like The O2 Arena and Madison Square Garden.
As a producer and songwriter, Kierszenbaum has co-written and produced tracks for international pop stars and alternative artists, collaborating with names such as Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Sting, and Fergie. He has credits on releases managed by Interscope Records, Polydor Records, Island Records, and Universal Music Latin Entertainment, and has worked with producers from Pharrell Williams’s and Rick Rubin’s circles. His songwriting partnerships extended to artists including Charli XCX, Tove Lo, Sia, MØ, and AlunaGeorge. Kierszenbaum’s production work often involved sessions in studios associated with Electric Lady Studios, Henson Recording Studios, and Abbey Road Studios.
Beyond executive and behind-the-scenes roles, Kierszenbaum has participated in artistic projects and live performances that intersect with the contemporary pop and electronic scenes. He has been involved in collaborations that touch artists from Daft Punk’s orbit, worked on remix projects related to The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, and contributed to live shows connected to The Rolling Stones and U2 touring personnel. His projects placed him in creative exchange with DJs and producers from the Global Underground and Ministry of Sound networks, and in sessions featuring musicians associated with Arcade Fire, Radiohead, Coldplay, and The Killers.
Kierszenbaum’s personal life has been kept largely private, with public mentions focusing on professional affiliations and charitable support for arts organizations aligned with institutions like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and regional music education initiatives tied to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Berklee College of Music. His legacy in the music industry includes mentorship of A&R professionals linked to Republic Records and Atlantic Records, and contributions to the careers of artists who have achieved recognition at award events such as the Grammy Awards, BRIT Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. He remains active in producing and advising projects across major labels, independent labels, and digital platforms associated with Spotify and Apple Music.
Category:American record producers Category:American music industry executives