Captain Cuts

Last updated
Captain Cuts
Origin Los Angeles, California, US
Occupations
Years active2011–present
Labels Epic
Members
  • Ben Berger
  • Ryan Rabin
Past members
  • Ryan McMahon
Website captaincutsmusic.com

Captain Cuts is a songwriting, record production and remix team based in Los Angeles. [1] [2] The duo is composed of Ben Berger and Ryan Rabin (also formerly drummer and producer of the band Grouplove), but they also included Ryan McMahon. Collectively they have produced and co-written songs for artists such as Walk the Moon ("Shut Up and Dance"), Bebe Rexha ("I Got You"), Halsey, The Chainsmokers, Grouplove, Tove Lo, LÉON, Keith Urban, and Marina, among others. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

In December 2013, they signed a joint venture deal with Warner Bros Records to form Cuts Records, a record label through which to sign, produce and develop new artists. [2]

In 2016, they signed a record deal with Epic Records as artists and released their first single "Love Like We Used To" in October of that year. [6]

Background and career

Berger and Rabin grew up in Los Angeles, going to the same high school and involved in the music scene. [7] They first wrote together several years later, and when their creative dynamic felt natural after the first song, they continued working together, eventually forming Captain Cuts and becoming long-term collaborators. [2] They released the mixtape If You’re Listening It's Never Too Late in 2015. [8] Captain Cuts began performing DJ sets on a recurring basis at Emo Nite LA in 2016. [9]

The team was a featured artist on the 2018 NOTD and Felix Jaehn single "So Close", with a music video starring Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girl Camille Kostek. [10] [11]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

Songwriting and production credits

Singles

List of singles written or produced by Captain Cuts, with selected chart positions, year released and certifications.
YearTitlePeak chart positions Certifications
US
US Alt
US Pop
US Hot AC
US Rock
US Dance
US Dance Club
AUS
CAN
NZ
SWE
UK
2011"Colours"
(Grouplove)
1529
"Tongue Tied"
(Grouplove)
42121183339084
2012"Itchin' on a Photograph"
(Grouplove)
1030
2013"To the End of the Earth"
(Jessica Mauboy)
21
  • ARIA: Gold
"Ways to Go"
(Grouplove)
12021860
"Shark Attack"
(Grouplove)
20
2014"Dreaming"
(Smallpools)
2345
"Different Kind of Love"
(Third Degree)
22
2015"Shut Up and Dance"
(Walk the Moon)
412113411124
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum
  • ARIA: 6× Platinum [17]
  • MC: 7× Platinum
  • BPI: 3× Platinum
  • GLF: 4× Platinum
  • RMNZ: Platinum
  • BVMI: Platinum
2016"Welcome to Your Life"
(Grouplove)
5
"What We Live For"
(American Authors)
2440
"Love Like We Used To"
(Captain Cuts)
43
"I Got You"
(Bebe Rexha)
4317173382991
2017"One Foot"
(Walk the Moon)
65121124
2018"Kamikaze"
(Walk the Moon)
619
"Be Somebody"
(Steve Aoki & Nicky Romero ft. Kiiara)
30
"Party for One"
(Carly Rae Jepsen)
10019
"So Close"
(NOTD and Felix Jaehn featuring Captain Cuts and Georgia Ku)
2710145
[24]
3177
2019"Kissing Other People"
(Lennon Stella)
60
"Go Easy"
(Matt Maeson)
1524
2020"Sad Tonight"
(Chelsea Cutler)
32
"Superman"
(Keith Urban)
[A]

Full discography

YearArtistAlbumDetails
2011 Grouplove Never Trust a Happy Song Producer, co-writer, co-mixer ("Itchin' on a Photograph", "Tongue Tied", "Lovely Cup", "Colours", "Slow", "Naked Kids", "Spun", "Betty's a Bomb Shell", "Chloe", "Love Will Save Your Soul", "Cruel and Beautiful World", "Close Your Eyes and Count to Ten")
2012 The Knocks The Feeling (single)Co-writer, additional production ("The Feeling")
Marina and the Diamonds Electra Heart Producer, co-writer ("Lonely Hearts Club")
2013Eddie GomezNoProducer, co-writer, mixer ("Someday", "Figure It Out", "Backseat", "Monsters", "Little Bit Of Candy", "I Want You")
Grouplove Spreading Rumours Producer, co-writer, co-mixer ("I'm With You", "Borderlines and Aliens", "Schoolboy", "Ways to Go", "Shark Attack", "Sit Still", "Hippy Hill", "What I Know", "Didn't Have to Go", "Bitin' the Bullet", "News to Me", "Raspberry", "Save the Party", "Girl", "Flowers", "Beans on Pizza")
Jessica Mauboy Beautiful Producer, co-writer ("To the End of the Earth") [29]
Grouplove & Manchester Orchestra Make It to Me (single)Producer, co-writer ("Make It to Me")
The Mowgli's Waiting for the Dawn Producer, co-writer ("Clean Light") [30]
2014 Tegan and Sara Endless Love (soundtrack)Producer, mixer ("Don't Find Another Love")
Strange Talk Cast AwayProducer, co-writer ("Young Hearts")
Third Degree Different Kind of Love (single)Producer, co-writer, mixer ("Different Kind of Love") [31]
Walk the Moon Talking Is Hard Co-writer ("Shut Up and Dance"), Co-producer, co-writer ("Up 2 U")
Tove Lo Queen of the Clouds Producer, co-writer ("Crave")
2015 Smallpools Lovetap! Producer, co-writer ("American Love", "Killer Whales", "Dreaming", "Street Fight", "Mason Jar", "Over & Over", "Lovetap!", "What's That a Picture Of?", "Dyin' to Live", "Admission to Your Party", "9 To 5", "No Story Time", "Submarine")
The Mowgli's Kids in LoveProducer, co-writer ("I'm Good", "Through the Dark", "Bad Dream") [32]
Fancy ReaganKnock Me Out (single)Producer, co-writer ("Knock Me Out")
Say Lou Lou Lucid DreamingCo-writer ("Angels Above Me")
Sabrina Carpenter Eyes Wide Open Producer, co-writer, mixer ("Two Young Hearts")
TigertownPapernote (single)Producer, co-writer, mixer ("Papernote")
Waters What's RealProducer, co-writer, mixer ("Got to My Head", "I Feel Everything", "The Avenue", "What's Real", "Breakdown", "Over It")
Lucas Nord Voices (single)Co-writer ("Voices") [33]
R5 Sometime Last Night Producer, co-writer ("All Night")
Halsey Badlands Producer, co-writer ("Roman Holiday")
The ScoreWhere Do You RunProducer, co-writer ("Something New"), Additional production ("Livin' Right")
Third Eye Blind Dopamine Producer ("Rites of Passage")
Us the Duo Slow Down Time (single)Producer, co-writer ("Slow Down Time")
2016CardiknoxPortraitCo-producer, co-writer ("Into the Night") [34]
St. Lucia MatterCo-producer, co-writer ("Physical", "Game 4 U") [35]
American Authors What We Live For Producer, co-writer ("What We Live For", "Right Here Right Now") [36] [37]
Broods Conscious Producer, co-writer ("Are You Home") [38]
The Knocks 55 Vocal producer ("Kiss the Sky")
Grouplove Big Mess Producer, co-writer (“Welcome to Your Life”, “Do You Love Someone”, ”Standing in the Sun”, “Enlighten Me”, “Good Morning”, “Spinning”, “Cannonball”, “Traumatized”, “Heart of Mine”, “Don't Stop Making It Happen”, “Hollywood”)
Captain Cuts ft. NateurLove Like We Used To (single)Producer, co-writer, artist ("Love Like We Used To")
2017 Bebe Rexha All Your Fault Pt. 1 Producer, co-writer ("I Got You", "F.F.F. ft. G-Eazy")
SoMo The AnswersProducer, co-writer ("Over") [39]
Audien ft. MAXOne More Weekend (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("One More Weekend") [40]
The Chainsmokers Memories...Do Not Open Co-producer, co-writer ("Break Up Every Night") [41]
Captain Cuts ft. Rich The Kid & DanielsCocaina (single)Producer, co-writer, artist ("Cocaina")
Neon Trees Feel Good (single)Producer ("Feel Good")
Walk the Moon What If Nothing Co-producer, co-writer ("One Foot", "Surrender", "Kamikaze")
Rozes Famous (single)Producer, co-writer ("Famous")
The Knocks & Captain CutsHouse Party (single)Producer, co-writer, artist ("House Party")
2018 The Night Game Bad Girls Don't Cry (single)Co-writer ("Bad Girls Don't Cry")
What So Not Beautiful (single)Co-writer, vocal producer ("Beautiful")
Amy Shark, Julia Michaels Love, Simon (soundtrack)Co-producer, co-writer ("Sink In")
Keith Urban Graffiti U Co-producer, co-writer ("Love The Way It Hurts (So Good)")
TOMIComing Around (single)Producer, co-writer ("Coming Around")
Half The AnimalToo Late (single)Producer, co-writer ("Too Late")
The Vamps Night & Day Producer, co-writer ("What Your Father Says")
lovelytheband Finding It Hard To SmileCo-writer ("Your Whatever")
Captain Cuts & Zookëper ft. Georgia KuDo You Think About Me? (single)Co-producer, co-writer, artist ("Do You Think About Me?")
Half The AnimalMagic (single)Producer, co-writer ("Magic")
Steve Aoki & Nicky Romero ft. Kiiara Be Somebody (single)Co-producer, co-writer, ("Be Somebody")
Allie X Little Things (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Little Things")
Léon Baby Don't talk (single)Producer, co-writer ("Baby Don't Talk")
Nightly Who Am I To You (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Who Am I To You")
NOTD, Felix Jaehn & Captain Cuts ft. Georgia KuSo Close (single)Co-producer, co-writer, artist ("So Close")
Carly Rae Jepsen Party For One (single)Co-producer ("Party For One")
Whethan ft. Bipolar Sunshine Life Of A Wallflower Vol. 1Co-producer, co-writer ("Top Shelf")
Loren Gray Queen (single)Producer, co-writer ("Queen")
2019 Carly Rae Jepsen Now That I Found You (single)Producer, Co-writer ("Now That I Found You")
Marina Love + Fear Co-producer, co-writer ("Superstar", "Karma")
Léon LéonProducer, co-writer ("Better In The Dark")
Justin Jesso, Nina Nesbitt Let It Be Me (EP)Co-producer, co-writer ("Let it Be Me")
Dreamers Launch Fly LandCo-producer, co-writer ("Someway, Somehow")
Matt MaesonBank On The FuneralCo-producer, co-writer ("Go Easy", "Tread On Me")
Loren Gray Options/Lie Like ThatProducer, co-writer ("Options", "Lie Like That")
Jai Wolf The Cure To LonelinessCo-writer ("Still Sleeping")
The Head and The Heart Living MirageProducer, co-writer ("Up Against the Wall")
Georgia KuWhat Do I Do? (single)Co-writer ("What Do I Do?")
Blink-182 Generational Divide (single)Co-writer ("Generational Divide")
Captain Cuts, Digital Farm Animals Summertime Love (single)Co-producer, co-writer, artist ("Summertime Love")
Lennon Stella Kissing Other People (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Kissing Other People")
Captain Cuts ft. Parson James Heat (single)Co-producer, co-writer, artist ("Heat")
Bearson ft. JRM & Georgia KuAll In (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("All In")
2020 Chelsea Cutler How To Be HumanProducer, co-writer ("Sad Tonight")
Marina To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You Producer, co-writer ("About Love")
Conan Gray Kid Krow Producer, co-writer ("Little League")
Lennon Stella Three. Two. One.Co-producer, co-writer ("Kissing Other People", "Older Than I Am")
Matoma & Captain Cuts ft. Georgia KuRYTMECo-producer, co-writer, artist ("Beside You")
Kygo with Jamie N Commons Golden Hour Co-writer ("Feels Like Forever")
Walk Off The Earth Oh What A Feeling (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Oh What A Feeling")
DAHL After Ours (single)Producer, co-writer ("After Ours")
Keith Urban The Speed of Now Part 1Co-producer, co-writer ("Superman")
Cash Cash ft. Georgia KuLove You Now (single)Co-writer ("Love You Now")
Loote, Travis Barker, Captain CutsSex With My Ex (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Sex With My Ex")
Georgia Ku What Do I Do? (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("What Do I Do?")
Captain Cuts ft. AJ Mitchell Stuck In My Head (single)Producer, co-writer, artist ("Stuck In My Head")
2021 Sabrina Carpenter Skin(single)Producer, co-writer ("Skin")
Nora Van Elken & Clara Mae Way Out (single)Producer, co-writer ("Way Out")
John K in case you miss meCo-producer, co-writer ("magic", "don't")
Urban Cone Never Enough (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Never Enough")
Felix Jaehn, Robin Shulz ft. Georgia KuI Got A Feeling (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("I Got A Feeling")
Monsta X The DreamingProducer, co-writer ("Secrets")
Walk The Moon Heights (album) Co-Producer, co-writer ("DNA (The Keys)")
Grouplove This Is ThisCo-writer ("Seagulls")
Beren Olivia ft. LostboycrowHistory (single)Co-writer ("History")
2022Nikko + Sway ft. JRMSave Me (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Save Me")
Lexi Jayde closure to closureProducer, Co-writer ("cruel intentions")
Ofenbach (DJs) 4U (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("4U")
Bryce Vine Nobody (single)Producer, co-writer ("Nobody")
Leah Kate Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch (single)Co-producer, co-writer ("Twinkle Twinkle Little Bitch")
Aidan BissettTwenty Something (single)Producer, co-writer ("Twenty Something)
Madeline the Person CHAPTER 3: The BurningProducer, co-writer ("Not Sorry")
Claire Rosinkranz [42] 123 (single)Producer, co-writer ("123")
Olivia O'Brien ft. FLETCHER [43] Bitch Back (single)Producer, co-writer ("Bitch Back")
Captain Cuts, What So Not, Louis The Child & JRMOn Air (single)Co-writer, co-producer, performer ("On Air")
Captain Cuts, Mahalo & Dan Caplen Are U With Me (single)Co-writer, co-producer, performer ("Are U With Me")
Aidan BissettTripping Over Air (single)Co-writer, producer ("Tripping Over Air")
Carly Rae Jepsen Talking to Yourself (single)Co-writer, producer ("Talking to Yourself")
JAWNYwide eyed (single)Co-writer, co-producer ("wide eyed")
UPSAHL "Kickflip"Co-writer, producer ("Kickflip")
UPSAHL "Skin Crawl"Co-writer, producer ("Skin Crawl")
2023 Måneskin "OWN MY MIND"Co-writer ("OWN MY MIND")
JAWNY "giving up on you"Co-writer, co-producer ("giving up on you")
Aidan Bissett"Out Of My League"Co-writer, producer ("Out Of My League")
Aidan Bissett"Sick"Co-writer, producer ("Sick")
Exbf & Slimdan"hockey fights"Co-writer ("hockey fights")
Lexi Jayde"bandages"Co-writer, producer ("bandages")
Aidan Bissett"Ultraviolet"Co-writer, producer ("Ultraviolet")
Knox"I'm So Good At Being Alone"Co-writer, co-producer ("I'm So Good At Being Alone")
Claire Rosinkranz "Gum"Co-writer, co-producer ("Gum")
Måneskin "OFF MY FACE"Co-writer, co-producer ("OFF MY FACE")
2024 Arden Jones "Hard Enough To Stay Alive"Co-writer, Producer ("Hard Enough To Stay Alive")
NOTD, Georgia Ku "Nostalgia"Co-writer, Producer ("Nostalgia")
Aidan Bissett"Planet"Co-writer, Producer ("Planet")
Audien, Jason Ross "21"Co-writer, Producer ("21")
Mahalo, Captain Cuts, Dan Caplen "Are U With Me"Co-writer, Producer ("Are U With Me")
Benson Boone "Fireworks & Rollerblades"Co-writer, Producer ("There She Goes")

Remixes

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationNominated workAwardResultRef.
2015 Teen Choice Awards "Shut Up and Dance"Choice Music: Party SongNominated [49]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Rock Video Nominated [50]
2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Song of the YearNominated [51]
Alternative Rock Song of the YearNominated [51]
Billboard Music Awards Top Rock SongWon [52]
Top Radio SongWon [52]
2018 CMA Awards Album of the YearNominated [53]
2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards Dance Song Of The YearNominated [54]

References

Notes

  1. "Superman" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 16 on the Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales chart. [28]

Citations

  1. "RIAA searchable database". RIAA.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  2. 1 2 3 "Interview: Captain Cuts". Mostly Junk Food. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  3. Lentz, Andrew. "Ryan Rabin: Gettin' Down To Business". Archived from the original on 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  4. "Smallpools Talks 'Ridiculously Quick' Ascent and 'Dreaming' Single". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-04-22.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. "Allmusic: Captain Cuts credits". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  6. "Multi-Platinum Songwriting and Production Team Captain Cuts Release Debut Single "Love Like We Used To" Featuring Nateur". 13 October 2016.
  7. Howard, John. "Need to Know: Ben Berger and Ryan McMahon". Stereotude. Archived from the original on 2015-09-28. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  8. Bradley, Laura (30 December 2015). "This Surprisingly Irresistible Mixtape Mashes up Adele and Drake with Emo Hits". Slate.
  9. "Emo Nite Founder Morgan Freed Talks Humble Beginnings, Nostalgia Band Reunion Fantasies, and more". Nest HQ. Archived from the original on 2018-06-19. Retrieved 2018-06-18.
  10. "NOTD & Felix Jaehn Enlist 'Sports Illustrated' Cover Girl Camille Kostek For 'So Close' Video: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  11. Camille Kostek (2019-06-26), Camille Kostek x So Close Music Video , retrieved 2019-06-27
  12. Wass, Mike (2019-08-26). "Captain Cuts teams up with Digital Farm Animals for 'Summertime Love'". Idolator . Retrieved 2019-09-08.
  13. "Heat (feat. Parson James) - Single by Captain Cuts on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-15.
  14. "Stuck in My Head (feat. AJ Mitchell) - Single by Captain Cuts". Apple Music . 20 November 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  15. "What So Not shares new single "On Air" and talks about the album". The Groove Cartel. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  16. "Smallpools - Dreaming". Recording Industry Association of America .
  17. 1 2 "Accreditations - ARIA".
  18. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  19. "Gold/Platinum".
  20. "Certificazioni - FIMI".
  21. "Singles - SNEP". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2017-10-01.
  22. "Award".
  23. "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  24. "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  25. "American certifications – Captain Cuts". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  26. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2024 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  27. "Canadian certifications – Captain Cuts". Music Canada . Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  28. "Keith Urban Chart History: Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard . Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  29. Wass, Mike (17 July 2013). "Jessica Mauboy Embraces Her Inner Dance Diva On "To The End Of The Earth": Listen" . Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  30. "The Mowgli's Debut Album Waiting for the Dawn Available Today via Photo Finish/Island Records". PressParty.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  31. Wass, Mike (8 November 2013). "Third D3gree Drop Captain Cuts-Produced Debut Single "Different Kind Of Love"". Idolator. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  32. Wass, Mike (30 March 2015). "The Mowgli's Keep It Upbeat And Uplifting On "Bad Dream": Idolator Premiere". Idolator. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  33. Law, Tarynn. "Lucas Nord unveils infectious new single 'Voices' [405 Premiere]". The405. Retrieved 2015-04-30.
  34. Kaplan, Ilana. "Song Premiere: Cardiknox Pumps It Up". PopularTV. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  35. Middleton, Ryan (7 December 2015). "St. Lucia Unveils Album 'Matter' Tracklist, Single "Physical"". MusicTimes. Retrieved 2015-12-08.
  36. "What We Live For - American Authors". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  37. "Right Here Right Now - American Authors". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  38. Middleton, Ryan (19 April 2016). "Broods Announce New Album 'Conscious,' North American Tour Dates : Buzz : Music Times". MusicTimes. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  39. "The Answers - SoMo | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  40. "Captain Cuts & Audien | This is Noise Management". Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  41. "Break up Every Night - the Chainsmokers | Song Info | AllMusic". AllMusic .
  42. "Claire Rosinkranz is conquering the pop world as easy as "123"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  43. Ahlgrim, Callie. "Olivia O'Brien on working with 'queer icon' FLETCHER and battling Hollywood's 'insane' beauty standards". Insider. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  44. "Premiere: Imagine Dragons – "Radioactive (Grouplove & Captain Cuts Remix)"". Pigeons & Planes. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  45. "Check out Captain Cuts remix of Believer". WeAreAmericanAuthors.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  46. "Icona Pop's "All Night" Gets The Captain Cuts Remix Treatment: Idolator Premiere". Idolator. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  47. Spada, Andrew (24 September 2013). "Grouplove – Ways To Go (Captain Cuts Remix)". DancingAstronaut.com. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  48. "Gold Fields, 'Dark Again' (Grouplove and Captain Cuts Remix) – Song Premiere". RollingStone.com. 2013-02-12. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  49. "Wave 2 Nominees". Teen Choice . Archived from the original on 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  50. "2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran & More". Prometheus Global Media. 21 July 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-21.
  51. 1 2 "2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees Revealed!". iHeartRadio. Archived from the original on 2016-05-02. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  52. 1 2 "Billboard Music Awards 2016: See the Finalists". Billboard. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  53. "2018 CMA AWARDS NOMINEES — FULL LIST". The Boot. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-30.
  54. "2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees Revealed: See the Full List".