For those of you who don’t know, Martin Kierszenbaum basically is one of the most influential people in pop – in my humble opinion. Not only is the guru and founder behind the mega successful pop record label, Cherrytree Records, he’s helped launch and guide the musical projects of some of pop music’s most beloved musicians from Lady Gaga, Robyn, Ellie Goulding, t.A.T.u., New Kids On The Block, Frankmusik, Sting and most recently the chart-topping LMFAO and Far East Movement. If you ask me – he has the coolest job in pop music and for someone behind-the-scenes, he’s just as much of a pop idol to me as Lady Gaga is.
Last month I got to meet Martin Kierszenbaum when the Cherrytree London gig swept into town and aside from being “who he is”, he’s also one of the coolest and most down-to-earth people I’ve met in the music business. I literally could talk to him all day about all things pop, but for this EQ interview, I got him on the phone for 30 minutes to chat about some of his early success with t.A.T.u., what is was like working with Donnie Wahlberg on the comeback campaign for NKOTB, why he just LOVES Robyn, what he looks for when signing new talent and we find out what the secret of success is. Surprisingly, it has a lot to do with being warm and fuzzy. Enjoy.