Q&A: Knox Write Has a Thing for Love Songs (And Homer Simpson Slippers)
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY JOY VILLANUEVA ☆
IT’S 8:30 P.M. INSIDE THE THEATER AT VIRGIN HOTELS LAS VEGAS—where Dominic Fike’s Comedy Tragedy Parody Tour is underway. Before Fike takes the stage, a cardboard robot emerges alongside fellow artist Kevin Abstract to introduce the night’s opening act: Knox Write, a 20-year-old film student at the University of Texas.
From the moment he steps on stage, Write brings insane electricity to the room, performing tracks like “ANYONE BUT YOU,” “FLIP FLOPS” and his latest single, “Wendy,” which he affectionately calls “the love of [his] life.” The explosive and prophetic track documents the fleeting moments and excitement of young love, unfolding between classes and encounters that, at least for Write, were never quite as platonic as they seemed.
However, it’s not just his music that makes his set memorable. Write is hilariously honest with the crowd, incorporating comedic bits throughout his performance as he pulls merch from a laundry basket, swaps his Converse for Homer Simpson slippers, and climbs on top of a desk to sing. Somewhere in the chaos, he even finds time to cover The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.”
With public praise from both Abstract and Fike, Write is quickly proving himself to be an artist worth keeping an eye on. His music feels refreshingly different from other artists his age, with an offbeat sense of humor and a personality that’s hard not to love. Following the conclusion of the tour, Luna caught up with the Texas singer to learn more about the mind behind the music.
Read on for our conversation with Write about his songwriting process, “Wendy” and what he has planned next.
LUNA: You’ve described yourself as being part of the rising “Texas Pop” scene. What does “Texas Pop” mean specifically to you, and what do you think makes it different from pop coming out of other places around the country?
WRITE: Kevin Abstract was the one who told me I was “Texas Pop,” and I was just like “Yeah, that makes sense.” To me, it has always meant stadium-sounding music made in a bedroom, or in my case, a dorm room in Texas. I think Texas has just been a big part of that sound, like Blush and Emma Ogier, Texas is always in the DNA. It’s just pop made in Texas.
LUNA: You just wrapped up touring with Dominic Fike. How did getting that opportunity feel, and what did being on the road teach you about yourself as both an artist and performer?
WRITE: It felt like a dream, and now that it’s over it feels even more like a dream. I just jumped to the big leagues without warning, and it was incredible. It taught me a lot about energy conservation though. Before I was on the road, I had this idea that I would be up all the time, making music and videos and giving as much output as I possibly could, but honestly, it was so exhausting. That’s why I have so much respect for Dominic for making his album on the road—he really is a pro.
LUNA: Your stage presence feels insanely electric, with you interacting with the crowd and having comedic bits while performing. How did those bits come to mind, and has performing night after night changed the way you approach your live shows?
WRITE: I have always loved being on stage. I did a lot of musical theatre in high school—I think that helped a lot. I also just can’t help but say things when I’m in front of a crowd of thousands of people. So whenever something would come to my head, it was dangerous. It felt funny saying the same things night to night, but, if a joke landed, you bet I’m going to repeat it in a different state.
LUNA: You’re only 21, still in college, toured with Dominic Fike and are getting ready to release your debut album. How do you balance being a student with building a career that’s moving so quickly?
WRITE: It has definitely been a struggle, but luckily for me, I’m a film student, so my workload is not as much as it could be. I think balance is super important in life—it keeps me grounded to do my government homework after a show. It helps that I love college and my friends there so much. I would never want to fail out or drop out, because I would get major FOMO watching them go through school, like Spiderman in the new Spiderman movie.
LUNA: You tease a lot of unreleased music on social media before it officially comes out. Are you ever using those posts to gauge how people respond to a song, or is it more about letting fans into what you’re working on?
WRITE: Nah, I don’t love the idea of steering a rollout based on what other people think. Most of the time, I tease music because I can’t help but want to share it immediately. I have had to stop myself countless times from posting a snippet of everything I make.
LUNA: You describe your music as “stadium-sounding music made in a bedroom.” What does that phrase mean to you, especially considering so much of this album was literally created in your dorm room?
WRITE: I guess I just mean big choruses, like something you can imagine a stadium singing along to. A chorus has always been so important to me—it reminds me of singing in the car with my mom. I think the contrast of that stadium chorus and the bedroom production makes a really ear-catching mix. Texas pop!
LUNA: Songs like “ANYONE BUT YOU,” “HOT SUMMER NIGHTS” and “FLIP FLOPS” all seem to communicate this feeling of yearning for someone or having a fleeting moment with them. Why do you think you keep coming back to that feeling in your songwriting?
WRITE: I love a good love song. When I was younger, I was so embarrassed to make one because I didn’t want the people I went to school with to figure out who it was about. Now, I will write a song about anyone. It’s a ridiculous superpower, and I’m only getting more honest with my songwriting, which is fun and scary. I just am such a dramatic person that I don't feel guilty about being hyperbolic on every feeling I have ever had to make a good song, because I know how far from reality most of it is.
LUNA: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? And, of course, is there anything about the new music you can tease for us?
WRITE: I just released my lead single for my album. The song is called “Wendy,” and it’s the love of my life. There’s a lot to come, and I think it’s going to surprise people. The album is about my freshman year of college, and how my life began to change faster than I could have ever imagined. I'm so proud of it, [and] all the tracks were made in my dorm, produced by me, and the saxophone was laid by my roommate Ben Goodman.
