Kat Harlton
B.Knox didn’t just have a hidden talent; he was a hidden talent, until now. A school teacher, who wrote songs for himself, only in 2019 did he consider a career switch to music.
His first single Deep Dark Love gained international attention with airplay on SiriusXM, CBC Radio, placement on top streaming playlists and future in-store airplay in stores like Starbucks (worldwide). He returns recently with his new single Corners, a reflection on life and the choices we make. The B-side, Stars and Burnt Bridges continues on the thematic and poetic themes of love, loss, and life.
We had the opportunity to chat with B.Knox and talk new music, songwriting and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your single “Corners”?
B.Knox: The song is a reflection on getting older and coming to terms with choices you’ve made. In the studio, it was important that we captured and conveyed a certain tone – in the melodies and instrumentation. I wanted it to be ominous and foreboding. Thematically, the song is heavy with regret and the fear of fleeting time, and I wanted to make sure the music pushed those themes sonically.
Kat: Can you talk about your songwriting process, does it differ from song to song?
B.Knox: Absolutely. Some songs come together in an hour, others take years. Generally speaking, I’m struck by a phrase or cliche or idea – quite often in transit: driving, walking, biking, or something like that – and then I’ll pull the idea or cliche apart, put it back together in a new way, or use it as an analogy for something disparate. Then it is work. I get up in the morning and edit, rewrite, find melodies, and work it until it takes shape. Those rare moments of lightning in a bottle are wonderful, but more often than not it is a job: daily writing and editing and keeping your skills sharp.
Kat: Previously a school teacher, who wrote songs for yourself, what inspired your career switch to music?
B.Knox: It was a gradual one, at the outset, to be honest. I took on a casual gig playing at a local restaurant and gathered a bit of a following. I started introducing some of my own songs into my set, and before long I was being encouraged to record my originals. I sent out an email to a producer I really wanted to work with, and he replied right away. We started recording shortly after. The response to the first two singles has been incredible and humbling. I’m so grateful for that, and it has certainly solidified my resolve that I’m heading in the right direction.
Kat: Is there an artist you’d like to perform with, that you haven’t had the chance to yet. Or a song you would love to do a cover of?
B.Knox: Being fairly new to the music scene, there are many artists I’d love to collaborate with and cover. Dan Mangan come to mind. His writing style is so unique and different from my own, yet I find myself strong relating to his themes and lyrics. I have always loved Kathleen Edwards’ songwriting too. She has such a clean cut with words and has that John Prine level of wry wit.
Kat: What’s next?
B.Knox: Well, I have a new single coming out in Dec, then another in February. The full album will be released at the end of March 2020. After that, I’m hoping to get out and tour the record. Really looking forward to stretching the legs of these songs on the road and getting them out to new audiences.
For more on B.Knox head over to: https://www.facebook.com/bknoxmusic