INTERVIEW: Grant Knoche opens up on new album GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME, bisexual visibility, the power of LGBTQ+ support and why songwriting is his personal therapy
"I'm really proud to represent the bi community and remind people that love is love."
Meet pop singer-songwriter, producer, and electrifying live performer Grant Knoche (it's pronounced with ka-no-key) who's fast becoming the main pop boy we need right now!
He's just unleashed his long awaited album GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME and the 12-track project channels the chaos, catharsis, and euphoria of heartbreak through Grant's signature mix of intimate lyricism, deep basslines and dance floor ready hooks.
Grant Knoche's journey is just as impressive as his music. He began training professionally in all styles of dance at just seven years old, performing across Texas and by ten he was already in and out of recording studios, touring the world and playing to crowds of 10,000 a night as part of the global phenomenon KIDZ BOP. That experience sparked an early obsession with Logic Pro leading him to teach himself how to write and produce music in his bedroom at just 11 years old and he hasnāt looked back since.
GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME is a collection of synth driven, bass heavy intimately charged pop songs-all written by Grant himself and entirely self produced. Beyond his own releases, Grant has also written and produced for an impressive roster of artists including Christina Aguilera (most notably producing the finale of her Las Vegas residency), ADĆLA and Victoria Justice with more collabs on the way including an upcoming cut for K-pop powerhouse girl group TWICE thatās already generating serious buzz.
A professionally trained performer, Grant brings a truly full throttle experience to the stage. His live shows fuse intense, high energy choreography with background dancers, live vocals and moments of stripped back piano balladry, making for a dynamic and unforgettable night. With over 80 million views amassed across TikTok, an impressive fourth place finish on NBCās American Song Contest and all of this achieved by just 23 years old, Grant Knoche is clearly only getting started.
Grant Knoche is basically a superstar and just as lovely as youād hope. Letās dive into the interview head first!
DALEYPOP: Oh hey Mr. Independent (soz I had to), are you having a good day so far?!
GRANT KNOCHE: Hey! Love it! Yes, having a lovely day so far thank you.
DALEYPOP: Glad to hear it! So for our readers that arenāt familiar with yourself or your music yet, can you just introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your music etc?
GRANT KNOCHE: For sure! Hey Iām Grant Knoche. Iām a 23 year old Texas raised Los Angeles based dance pop artist, songwriter and producer. If you love raw vulnerable vocals and gritty fun pop music, youāll like my music!
DALEYPOP: I need to just say it straight away, you were incredible representing Texas on American Song Contest and Iām gutted the show was suddenly cancelled?! Iām assuming youāre a Eurovision fan (hopefully), have you ever thought about putting yourself forward to represent the UK? Or even the US if the US ever officially joined Eurovision?
GRANT KNOCHE: I know! I enjoyed the show so much and Iām upset itās not renewed as well. I think it was definitely a new show experience for the US and something they needed to get used to! Hopefully it has a return at some point.
I love Eurovision and Iām so grateful for all the importance Iāve gotten from Eurovision fans. Iād absolutely love to perform and represent a country in the future.
DALEYPOP: I'm keen to know how big is Eurovision across the pond? Do people in the US get into it the same way Europe do or is it still more of a niche thing over there?
GRANT KNOCHE: I think thereās definitely a group of people in the US who know what Eurovision is however, I donāt think a lot of people watch it live since itās not really promoted here as much. But for the people who do love watching it, we root for Eurovision hard!
DALEYPOP: Your new album GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME (is so good btw) and fans essentially helped shape it by voting every two weeks on the next single, right? What sparked that interactive rollout idea and did any of their choices surprise you along the way?
GRANT KNOCHE: Yes! I absolutely loved rolling out my album this year and had so much fun doing it. It was something new that I was excited to try and Iām so glad we did. I honestly had most of the songs about 70 to 75 percent finished and then from that point I teased different songs and let the fans vote on which one to release next.
DALEYPOP: I have to ask, can you tell us if the motorbike featured on your album cover is actually yours?!
GRANT KNOCHE: Yes! That specific dirt bike is my dadās but I grew up riding dirt bikes with my dad and brother in Texas. I loved being able to tie that part of my background into this new album.
DALEYPOP: Wow thatās amazing and kinda wholesome too! When youāre writing or recording, do you ever imagine how the choreography might play out on stage or in a music video?
GRANT KNOCHE: Oh my gosh, all the time! Since I started dancing at seven years old I feel like my dance mind and musicality really influence my production. I always try to craft the feeling first and then let that feeling guide the movement.
One of my favorite things after writing a new song is looping it on repeat for hours and dancing in my room, imagining what it would look like on stage and picturing specific shots in the music video.
DALEYPOP: Whatās one thing people might find surprising about your creative process?
GRANT KNOCHE: If you listened to my voice memos and raw ideas you would think Iām insane! There are so many times where I just let the recording run and freestyle ideas, mess with beat flows through beatboxing and make wild sounds.
DALEYPOP: Youāve clearly built a strong connection with your LGBTQ+ fans. What does that community mean to you, both personally and as an artist?
GRANT KNOCHE: Iām so honoured to have such strong support from the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout my own process of learning and becoming confident in myself, the love and support from the community really sped that up for me. I didnāt feel like a stranger to myself anymore. I felt proud and confident to be me.
Artistically, there are so many incredible LGBTQ+ creatives who have changed the world and culture with their minds.
I think the struggles and different life experiences we share allow us to push boundaries and explore things in art without fear.
DALEYPOP: As an openly bisexual man, do you ever feel the weight of the stigma thatās still out there? There are so many harmful myths especially from straight cis women and gay men who claim they wouldnāt date a bi guy?
GRANT KNOCHE: Definitely! When you say youāre bi, youāre instantly met with the question āwell which do you lean toward more?ā. People immediately try to categorise you and put you in a box. Humans are way more complex than that. Everyone is an individual who is capable of feeling many different things. We are definitely moving in a better direction but itās still not where it needs to be yet.
Iām really proud to represent the bi community and remind people that love is love.
DALEYPOP: I know you write and produce your own music, you can tell because it always feels super personal. Is your latest single I MISS YOUR LOVE inspired by real life or was it more of a creative deep dive into the feels?
GRANT KNOCHE: All of my music is inspired by real life and my own experiences. I feel deeply and songwriting is my personal therapy. Production is also a huge therapy for me. Being able to take a feeling and turn it into a soundscape that can live on repeat is one of the coolest things to me. I wrote the chorus, melodies, and production for I MISS YOUR LOVE a while ago and it took more life experience to find the right words. Iām so proud of that song and itās genuinely one of my favorites on the album. It feels like it soars and always leaves me with a nostalgic feeling.
DALEYPOP: It's one of my faves on the album too! When you're dating someone new, do you pay attention to red flags right away or do you tend to worry about them later?
GRANT KNOCHE: I try to balance being open to new feelings while still calling a red flag RED when I see one! Comfort in a relationship is important but being a little uncomfortable can be beneficial too. Sometimes itās just because something is new and leading to something better.
DALEYPOP: And what about green flags?
GRANT KNOCHE: We loooove a green flag! Keep them coming!
DALEYPOP: Whatās your star sign and do you believe in that stuff?
GRANT KNOCHE: Iām a Virgo Leo cusp! I read both and see so many qualities in each that fit me. I know the basics but havenāt fully dove into astrology yet. Itās definitely interesting though!
DALEYPOP: Do you have any shows or travel plans to the UK coming up?
GRANT KNOCHE: Iām hoping to have more UK shows next year! I went to Manchester and London this year and absolutely loved it!
@grantknoche what did I just watch š³ haha #UK ā¬ Epic Music(863502) - Draganov89
DALEYPOP: Last question....whoās your crush of the day?!
GRANT KNOCHE: Oh no! Nice one! I canāt tell you though or theyāll read this and know....
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