UK artist James Knights has been involved with Scarlet Soho and Boytronic. During the past few years he set up his solo-project KNIGHT$. He first released the EP “What’s Your Poison?” (2016) and moved on with another EP “Alligator” (2017). Early 2019 saw him unleashing his debut album “Dollar$ & Cent$” on Cargo Records. The songs are an electronic fusion between ‘pop’, Italo-disco and Hi-Nrg. It’s an album getting people into dance and simply making them happy. This is what James Knigthts has to tell us about it.
(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)
Q: How did the Knight$ project see the daylight and what have been the sources of inspiration?
James: I took a little break from making music in 2015 when my previous project ended. At that time I was unsure if I would make music again at all. Then, after 9 months the idea of KNIGHT$ took a hold, and I felt ready to be creative again.
Q: You’ve just released the debut album “Dollars & Cents”. A debut full length always is something particular so what are your feelings regarding this debut and the final achievement?
James: 2019 felt like the right time to make a full length LP after my first two EPs (“What’s Your Poison?” and “Alligator”) went down quite well. I had so many ideas coming forward during 2016, so I knew we could get real quality songs. From the fan response I really feel it’s some of the best stuff I’ve made.
Q: Some of the songs and especially the new single “Gelato” are pretty Italo-disco and Hi-NRG like. It’s pretty kitsch and fun, but still my favorite track from the album. Tell us a bit more about this song and the crazy clip?
James: I can remember I wanted to write a song that would be easy to listen to, with no struggle in it at all. Just flowing constantly. It was Summer and I looked out of the window and really wanted to capture this feeling of optimism I had.
Yes, the video is quite funny. There’s a small club where I live with some nice lights. We didn’t have much time to shoot, so we shot the video over four or five hours. I was exhausted by the end from all the dancing and ice cream eating!
Q: You’re more familiar with electro-pop music (Scarlet Soho, Boytronic) so what are the main differences in the global production work with Knight$?
James: I think KNIGHT$ has similarities with Scarlet Soho and Boytronic. It’s still my voice, and that hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s just that with KNIGHT$ everything can happen a lot faster. If there’s a good idea coming I can record it immediately and get it out there. The magic is to not overthink anything at all and let the songs flow.
Q: Disco, Italo-disco, Hi-NRG… they all have something pretty fun-, happy- and party-like. I think we’re missing this today and especially in times the world is featuring a lot of terror and horror. Can we see Knight$ as a cure to feel better?
James: Absolutely! Life can be hard enough in 2019. I don’t want my music to add to the listeners woes, or contribute to my own. I refuse to be a part of this trend, and will do almost anything to grasp some positivity from wherever it’s hiding!
Q: I noticed you already did several live performances. Tell us a bit more about the live concept, the first reactions and what’s the next step for Knight$?
James: So far I am very pleased with the response. The audience is younger than I had before, and the show is packed full of energy for 60 minutes! We’ve been opening for Peter Heppner, Heaven 17, and in July we will head out with A Flock Of Seagulls in the UK. We can thaw the coldest of hearts wherever we go!
