Knox on Festivals, Touring and New Single “Treadmill”
Fresh off the second leg of his sold-out headline tour, Knox sits down with Next Wave to share his whirlwind journey and the experiences that have shaped his rising career. From the irreplaceable comforts of throat coat tea to the thrill of playing major festivals like Lollapalooza, Knox opens up about the highs and lows of life on the road. In this candid conversation, he delves into the creative process behind his hits, the impact of viral moments, and the excitement of his upcoming single, "Treadmill." With a genuine passion for music and a humble appreciation for his fans, Knox reveals what drives him to keep pushing boundaries and connecting with audiences around the world. Join us for an inside look at the man behind the music and what’s next on his horizon.
Next Wave: So you just finished up the second leg of your sold out headline tour back in April. How was that? Do you have any memorable moments from the tour?
Knox: Yeah, it was awesome. I couldn't believe it. I mean, every show sold out. We split it up on the East Coast, West Coast. The east coast was absolutely amazing, so I didn’t know if the west coast was going to be able to bring the same energy. But it was awesome, it was amazing and it was just as fun. I think we did 16 total shows and just every one of them was a dream come true. It was incredible. So I am just grateful I got to do it.
Next Wave: What is one item that you can't live without on the road?
Knox: Oh, one item I can't live without– throat coat tea. You have no idea. I didn't understand. I didn't understand until I started touring. Everybody was like, throat coat was the way and I was like, I just need water. Do you? I'll be fine. And no throat coat. You have no idea what that can do for us singers. It's actually crazy. So that and my little bear of honey, that's all I need. Yeah, very sensible. And my air pods, because sometimes we're in that van for a long time. And sometimes those guys pissed me off.
Next Wave: Apart from your headlining tour, you're also playing festivals this season, with Lollapalooza in August. How does that feel being part of that lineup?
Knox: I am so excited. We just did Hangout Fest and it was just an absolute dream come true. So to be able to do Lollapalooza is almost like even better. I mean, Lollapalooza is one of the biggest festivals in the country. So just being on a lineup with such amazing artists is quite the honor.
Next Wave: What’s the difference in preparation for a tour versus prepping for a festival?
Knox: You only got one shot at the festival. You can mess something up on a tour and then you have the next show tomorrow night, a festival you only get one. Festivals are when you have to be the most focused and the most like the most prepared.. So they can be a little more stressful compared to just a random show on tour. But either way, they're so fun. And we're so looking forward to it.
Next Wave: Is it harder to pick a setlist for a festival since it's a lot shorter than being able to do your own headline show. How do you go about picking the songs for a festival?
Knox: It's the absolute worst. All my songs are like my little babies, like I hate not playing any of them. Hangout Fest was the first time we ever played a show where we didn't play my song NYC. And it pained my soul to not play that song. But you know, you just got to play all the fun ones. You just got to play the ones people know and just make sure people have a good time. It's very different from playing on a tour, because there are also people there that don't know you, and have never heard you before. Sometimes you walk out there, and the people in the front row aren't there to see you. So it's kind of like a fun game of trying to win them over.
Next Wave: Do you have any pre-show rituals or routines that you do before you go on stage?
Knox: Honestly, not really. I get asked this a lot and I feel bad because I feel like I'm supposed to give an interesting answer. We don't really do anything., I always just do my little vocal warmup and then it's just goofing backstage with my two buddies, Johnny and Christian, who I go on stage with. Though we have gotten into a habit, me and Christian. We like to watch LeBron game 7 2016 highlights because it gets us amped for some reason, which is pretty stupid. So I guess that's a good one.
Next Wave: So “Not The 1975”, it feels like I'm hearing on the radio more and more. What's been your reaction to it blowing up and being such like a huge radio hit now.
Knox: Dude, it's so cool. I just feel like the luckiest guy in the world. You know, putting out music is one thing. But you know, when your mom walks into Panera Bread, and your song’s playing, it's pretty crazy. I feel like it's your “I made it” moment. I feel like it's the thing that now people from my hometown are like, Oh, no, he's big time. He's like, really doing it. And so yeah, it's been cool. Having a song on the radio is something I never in a million years thought I would be in that position. So, you know, I'm just enjoying every second of it. And when it stops playing on the radio one day, I'll be very sad.
Next Wave: You really blew up with “Sneakers” getting popular on Tik Tok. How did that feel?
Knox: Yeah, I mean, that was like the first thing that kind of got the ball rolling. And I mean, at the end of the day, my whole life had changed. You know, I was just a songwriter that nobody knew. I went out with my friends the day after, and everybody on the freakin street was stopping me asking if I was the guy that sang Sneakers. So yeah, I mean, I just love it, man. I'm super grateful for that song and all the opportunities it's given me. Thanks to that song, I got to sign with my dream record label, Atlantic Records. It blows my mind every time I'm in the office, and they have a big ignorant picture of me on the wall. It's so cool. And so yeah, I mean, without that song, none of that happens. So I love it. That one is near and dear to me.
Next Wave: Looking back on the success of Sneaker, what do you think made that song so popular and blow up as big as it did?
Knox: Honestly, that is such a great question. I think it's just the feeling of nostalgia. Like it's the nostalgia that it gives off that early 2000s vibe, like all American Rejects. The comments on Tik Tok or Instagram are always either, this song makes me feel like I'm in high school or the comment is like, what is this guy talking about? So yeah, I don't know. I think it just had this special thing that people gravitated to and there was just something about it. Honestly, I don't think I don't think you can explain that with any song. You know, it just connects with people or it doesn't and I think it's as simple as that.
Next Wave: What is your songwriting process like? Do you have anything that helps you get into that creative zone when you're in the studio?
Knox: Honestly, every session is completely different. Sometimes you come in and you have a title idea, sometimes you have a melody. Sometimes you just come up with a song like, Hey, I was listening to this song, and I want to make a song like it. And so it's really random. But I feel like the thing that gets me into the, you know, zone of wanting to write songs is not writing songs. Like when I've been on tour and haven't been able to, I start to get like, the itch where I'm like, I gotta get back in. I gotta make something new. And so, yeah, writing songs is a very random thing. It comes and goes, and some days, it's better than others. And you know, some days, it's just like going to the gym. Sometimes you don't make every shot, but then the days that you make every shot are good days. Good analogy.
Next Wave: Your next single, Treadmill, is out in June. Can you share the story or concept behind it?
Knox: When I write songs, most of the time I like to start with a title that would make people wonder what the song is about. The day we wrote this, I actually went in to write a pitch song for the Jonas Brothers. We ended up making this song and I loved it so much I wanted to keep for myself.
Next Wave: What was the creative process like for “Treadmill”? How long did it take to write and record?
Knox: The day we made the song, I thought it was pretty good and then I got the demo back and thought actually this is kind of a banger, this could be a hit. I sent it to my A&R Pete and he thought it was pretty solid and gave me some things to rework. Then I sat on it for months and finally finished the whole version, and my A&Rs were like, “This is sick where did this come from!” I’m stoked it’s finally coming out.
Next Wave: And then also around that time you are heading off on tour with The Band Camino. You've toured with them before if I'm not mistaken. How does the dynamic of touring with another band versus touring on your own tour change?
Knox: I think the main thing is just like, you're going out there to impress. On a headline tour, you don't have to worry about that. Everyone's there to see you. Whereas like, I definitely think we're gonna have people that know our music, but at the end of the day, it's the Band Camino’s show. So it's kind of like a fun little challenge of going out there and being like, if you've never heard of me, I'm going to make sure you don't forget. And I'm so competitive that I love that kind of stuff. So I can't wait and honestly I'm kind of excited to get back to it and kind of have the little chip on the shoulder kind of attitude instead of going out and getting my ego inflated every single location by my own shows.
Next Wave: What's it like being able to share the stage with them? Do you have any memorable moments from the last time you're on tour with them?
Knox: Honestly, it's one of the coolest things. The Band Camino’s one of my favorite bands ever. Like they're one of my favorite artists. I've lived in Nashville for almost six years and the first four of those years was me studying their music and learning how to write songs, the way that they write songs and putting on a show the way that they put on shows. It's so funny, I'm like, friends with them now, if they ever heard me say this. But they're amazing, they're just an incredible band. And yeah, I think without their records, I wouldn't make the music that I do now. So to be able to, like, go on tour with them and call them friends is like, so cool. It's such an honor, I just love those guys. I'm so grateful for those dudes.
I remember my favorite memory is actually like a scary memory. But I remember doing the first show with them. We were playing at the Georgia theater which is the first time I ever played, and they didn't really know me. Like, they took me on tour, but they didn't really know me. And I remember there were like 1000 people in the crowd. It's a sold out show, but the only people that I wanted to impress were the Band Camino. I was like, I wouldn’t care about anybody in this crowd. As long as Band Camino thinks I'm cool, then that's all I care about. So I think it worked. I don't know if they think I'm cool, but they can't think I'm not that cool.
Next Wave: How do you think “Treadmill” will resonate with your current fans and attract new listeners?
Knox: I think it’ll definitely attract new listeners because it’s such a good summer vibe. Fans of mine will like it too because it has solid songwriting, a nostalgic feel and in my opinion it has a The 1975 vibe to it. There’s also a little “Sneakers” nod in it too that I think fans will think is funny.
