KNIGHT$: Experience Special Moments

James Knights is already well known as lead singer of the band Scarlet Soho and currently as frontman of the legendary Boytronic. With his solo project called Knight$ the diligent artist has now created an exciting debut album named Dollar$ & Cent$, that reminds one of Italo Disco Sound of the 80s. For me this seemed to be the perfect opportunity, to sound James out and to bring his music a bit more closer to you.

Bea:
How are you at the moment? Being a busy bee or a lazy sloth?

James:
Hahaha! I am always busy, although right at this moment I’m preparing for my birthday vacation in Greece.

Bea:
We have first spotted you at the New Waves Day 2017 in Oberhausen as the new singer of Boytronic. How did you feel being on a large(r) stage presenting a very well known band and possible audience expectations?

James:
I’ve been singing live for a while and played similar shows in the past, but just not with Boytronic. It was only 30 minutes on stage, so quite easy!
I have a good relationship with the Boytronic fans, and they know what they get from me.

"Good melodies are very important however, and Italo Disco is full of great melodies."

Bea:
After you have been around with the band Scarlet Soho for a long time you are now on solo-feet with a far more pure 80s-Italo-Disco- Sound. Why did you choose to make music in a style that is typical for this decade?

James:
I think it’s important to remember that we are living in the moment (2019), so I try to take what I like from the present time and add it to any older influences I have.
Good melodies are very important however, and Italo Disco is full of great melodies.

Bea:
Your brand new solo-album Dollar$ & Cent$ is out since April. What kind of people would you like to attract?

James:
I’m very lucky. My fanbase is very mixed. Different ages, coming from many different scenes. I welcome them all to the shows to dance… but no AFD please!

Bea:
There is a dollar-sign that appears in your name and the word dollar is also mentioned in the title of your first album. Is there a special meaning behind it, do you expect to become rich and famous?

James:
When you make music as I do you’re already rich in some way...
Even if my bank account says different!

Bea:
You have surely already gathered some vinyl-freaks around you. I have experienced that you have no possibilities to release vinyl records over pledge music. However, do you still have intentions to publish any at all?

James:
Time will tell! I would love to see the album pressed to vinyl, but after the bankruptcy of the Pledge Music crowdfunding platform, everything is up in the air right now.

Bea:
For music lovers it would surely be interesting how you develop your songs and what tools you use. Can you describe how the song Alligator (for example) has been created?

James:
Often the song will start when I’m walking the streets. I will sing the melody into my phone and record it, then I run home and start to programme the music. 100% midi to start with and then I go to the studio and bounce the midi to audio. Using the Roland Juno, Pro One and Drumtracks drum machine. Once the vocals are added I can decide if I want to mix it myself, or get a new approach from someone else. In many cases on the last album I went to Fred Ventura and Paolo Gozzetti who did great job.

Bea:
What was the funniest or/and most exciting moment while recording the album?

James:
I was recording vocals with Holger in Berlin at his place. He has four dachshunds who like to howl when he is singing! So in the end I spent a lot of time cutting out the dog noise from the album files. They are beautiful animals, but not the best singers!

Bea:
You are going on a UK-Tour with A Flock of Seagulls as a special guest in July. What is your connection with the band?

James:
I toured the UK with them 10 years ago when I was in Scarlet Soho. Really good days back then! It’ll be good to see Mike Score again. He’s a good guy.

Bea:
Name 5 bands that have been most influential for you:

James:
Scotch, Stock Aitken & Waterman, Grace Jones/Falco, Robyn, Gazebo

Bea:
What 80s musician did you fall in love with?

James:
Whitney Houston, Madonna, Martika, The Bangles, Tiffany, Valerie Dore… all of them!

Bea:
What is the worst 80s band from your point of view?

James:
Jim Diamond - Should’ve Known Better. Check it out! It makes me wanna kill myself!

Bea:
To me it is very noticeable that live and on pictures you bring over a positive expression and high spirits full of energy that are somehow infectious. Do you intend to infect your audience and listeners?

James:
I see the live shows as an opportunity for everyone to drop everything and experience a special moment in time. If I can help them get to this high feeling from the music it gives me a huge high too. Off stage I am much quieter!

"I see the live shows as an opportunity for everyone to drop everything and experience a special moment in time."

Bea:
You are also still working together with Holger Wobker from Boytronic and a new album called The Robot Treatment will be released in September. How did you two meet and how is it to work with him?

James:
We met in Berlin for coffee and everything was good right away. I’ve been a fan of Boytronic for years and I made it clear.
Making The Robot Treatment has had easy and difficult moments, but it’s part of the recording process and you can’t expect to make a good album overnight!
When I listen to it now I’m really glad we decided to do it and that’s the main thing.

Bea:
What are your near future plans solo and with Boytronic?

James:
I will complete the KNIGHT$ tour with A Flock Of Seagulls in July and I hope to return to Germany at the end of the year for some club shows. We will release the Boytronic record in September or so, and we are booking live shows and festivals now throughout 2020.

It will be hard to make a new KNIGHT$ album next year, but an EP is possible for sure!

Website:
facebook.com/Knights101

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