Will Knox

To label Will Knox as just another UK import simply wouldn’t justify the man’s ability with written word. His songs are clean and delightfully orchestrated but his strengths lay in lyrics of originality that sooth, inspire and encourage - all of which can be savoured throughout his new EP release ‘Buckled Knees’. This five-song EP manages to capture much of Knox’s evident talent for song writing and musicianship as well as highlighting the craftsmanship of his five-piece acoustic band - all of which combine to create a charming debut offering. The title track is a self-deprecating look into Knox’s own pursuit of fame and fortune though he shows no signs of letting up (To be a star of stage and screen/I sold my soul for magic beans/Now I’m as empty as the pockets on my skin-tight jeans). ‘Try’ suggests the regrettable breakdown of a relationship - something that may have been prevented (If I try a little truth sometimes/And learn to live an honest life/It never should have been this way/If I’d learned to try she might have stayed) where as in ‘Never Letting Go’ Knox shares with us the pain and difficulty in getting over those mistakes (If I could break away I would/And free myself from off your hooks/I’d take your hands from off my neck/And give me one last breath/So I can scream ‘Let me go, let me go’). Knox writes with a wisdom and experience that belies his years and, if this EP is anything to go by, will be around for a good few more. - Rebel Spirit Music

So many things sound better with a British accent. Whether it’s in casual conversation or a heated curse-out, UK natives have a way of delivering harmonic vocals in all situations. Will Knox is British. He is no exception to this rule.

No time was this more prevalent than when he stepped up to the mic to play some live music for WERS listeners. Knox’s vocals were incredible clear, even by studio standards. The man has an impeccable voice, one that even prominent folk rock artists strive for.

But Will was not alone today. He records and travels with a band contributing such eclectic instrumental sounds as those of the banjo, cello, and fiddle. But today, Will played an in-studio session with Jeni Magana backing up his vocals and playing upright bass, and Timur Yusef on drums.

Will Knox proved to be a true imported gem with his curious lyrical arrangement and soft-spoken guitar bits. Equally as elegant were Jeni’s vocals and cool bass, as well as Tim’s delicate drumming, throughout the three song set.

The trio played three songs off their soon forecoming EP Never Letting Go. Starting with a track sharing the title of the EP, and proceeding with “Heart Strings” and “Try”, the group never seemed to miss a note.

Throughout the set, Will Knox and his band remained extremely laid back and presented music of parallel demeanor. The overall impression the group left, though, was certainly loud. When the EP does drop, which Will promises will be “reasonably priced”, the group will without a doubt get the attention of its listeners.

http://www.will-knox.com/
http://www.myspace.com/willknoxmusic/

-Shaun Oppedisano - WERS 88.9FM (Boston)

Will Knox leads his melancholy band of boys and girls through heartbreaking acoustic folk-tinged tunes. Two things raise them above a slew of Jose-Gonzalez sound-alikes: the first is the quality of the song-writing.The lyrics are quietly well observed: “please don’t neglect me like a dress you outgrew”, “I’m as empty as the pockets of my skin tight jeans.” The second is Will Knox himself – his understated charisma asserts an irresistible pull. His clear and tender vocals are nuanced by bass-player Jeni Magana's. The breath catching moment of the night was their stripped acoustic number. With their soft West Coast glamour, the Will Knox band put me in a position that I never thought I’d be in, thinking: “Man, that was an intense banjo solo.” No pretension, just lush strings and effortless atmosphere: lovely, lovely stuff. - The Cherwell

"Clear crisp vocals, melodic hooks, simple yet endearing guitar, and image inducing lyrics adorn Will Knox's songwriting. A British invasion of the best kind..." - The Groove

The Nashua Folk Festival returns to Greeley Park at the end of the month for its sophomore year, and from the looks of the bill, it is NOT suffering growing pains.
British transplant Will Knox takes the stage Saturday, Aug. 30.
Knox dropped his "Buckled Knees" EP last winter, and I can't think of a better way to spend $4.99 (available at www.will-knox.com). The album features five songs on six tracks (including a solo version of "Try") and really showcases Knox's uniquely poetic and beautifully intelligent lyrics, which have caught the attention of the judges of the International Songwriting Competition this year, in which he made it to the finals in the folk singer-songwriter category.
Greeley Park will be a walk in the ... well, park, considering Knox played the world's largest music festival this summer - the appropriately named Summerfest in Milwaukee.
There's something familiar about Knox's crystal clear voice and the beautiful acoustic arrangements behind his music. It's not just that the lyrics resonate with simplicity and honesty. As I listened to "Buckled Knees," it felt like an old friend had walked in and begun to sing. That kind of lack of pretension is something that even the most seasoned pros strive for, and it makes me think Aug. 30 can't get here soon enough.
Organizers Chris Michaud and Craig Ferreira are carving out quite a reputation by bringing in artists of this caliber. I'll be posting more music from coming artists over the two weeks leading up to the event.
Knox is backed by Kyle James Hauser on banjo, Jeni Magana on upright bass and vocals, and Tim Yusef on drums.
His music has been compared to the likes of Nick Drake and Damien Rice. I think, though, given time, Knox will soon be cited as an influence of up-and-coming young folk musicians.
He sent over the title track of "Buckled Knees." Give it a listen and let me know what you think.
- Nashua Telegraph - Encore Buzz

Will Knox and his band attracted about 50 students to this year's first SUB7 on Aug. 22.

The group is based out of New York, while Knox's roots reach across the Atlantic to London, England. Upon entering the country Knox enrolled at the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, Mass., where his songwriting talents blossomed. He was the winner of Berklee's Songwriting Competition 2006/07 and Performing Singer/Songwriter 2007 awards.

He sites acoustic juggernauts such as Ryan Adams, Nick Drake and Damien Rice among his influences, and undoubtedly pays homage to their genre with his punctilious guitar playing. Accompanied by drums and violin, Knox played numerous original songs, as well as a reserved version of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child."

This performance also marked the beginning of sophomore Lauren MacGrath's first year as SUB7 organizer, having worked under alumnus Micah Antanaitis last year.

"Micah did a good job," said MacGrath, "I'm trying to mimic that, trying to figure out how he did it."

Among her goals as SUB7 coordinator is to encourage Milligan students to "engage in conversation with the band."

MacGrath was pleased to see attendees approach the artist after the show not only to buy his "Buckled Knees EP," but also to introduce themselves and chat.

"The most exciting (thing) to me is seeing wider enjoyment," said MacGrath. She hopes that SUB7's popularity could attract larger national acts that could perform in the new Gregory Center.

The schedule for this fall consists of artists such as Ellery, Dishwater Blond, Catbird Seat, the reggae stylings of Wayne Conner and SUB7 staples such as Jazz night with the Milligan Jazz Combos and "Open Mic Night."
- The Stampede - Milligan College

I often go to Rebel Spirit nights at Rockwood Music Hall, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month. It’s usually a pretty good night of music. I’m not sure exactly what is involved in their selection process, but Deena Goodman, one of Rebel Spirit’s founders, was always great at finding talent for the New York Songwriter’s Circle when she worked with them, so I keep dropping in to see who is being showcased.

Last week featured a couple of artists recently transplanted to NY from Nashville and another visiting from LA, but the one to whom the night unquestionably belonged, was an ‘Englishman in New York’ by the name of Will Knox. It was obvious from the set up that there was something unique about to happen. It isn’t often that one sees both a banjo and a violin on stage at the same time.

To center stage steps a handsome young man with tussled curls and an impish smile. He speaks with a proper English accent – though he is said to be from London…and he does, in fact, support one of London’s top ranking football teams, Arsenal (I’ll try not to hold that against him), he has no sign of the common cockney dialect, but rather presents himself as a charming and refined gentleman with a quick wit and a gleam in his eye.

Before he struck the first note I was silently rooting for him, ‘oh man, if this kid can play…this is a hell of a package …”

Gently plucking the strings he begins. Then, he sings. His voice dances with a lovely lilt, telling stories in the classic folk tradition; of emigrants, of the quest for fame and fortune, of the fear of moving to NYC, and of lost love. Crafted words and beautiful old world melodies updated with 21st century pop sensibilities. Music that would be as comfortable in an old Irish pub as it would be at any current venue on the Lower East Side. He is a classic singer/songwriter, but with a clever Celtic twist that separates him from the rest of his contemporaries.

Some sweet and simple melodies are coupled with beautiful, intelligent lyrics which draw you in like an old friend telling you a story:

“She said learn some gratitude
And give the thanks I’m overdue
She said learn some self respect
Repair the other life you wrecked”

The band harmonizes as the violin adds a sympathetic sound, all beautifully arranged to envelop the audience in the tales he tells. Looking around the room, it’s easy to see, they gladly follow the dimpled troubadour into the lives of immigrant workers or down Hollywood Blvd, wherever this stories lead. And judging by the encore they demanded, they would have done so all night long.

Check out his myspace www.myspace.com/willknoxmusic to hear for yourself – and find a show near you…then…
have the inkeeper stoke the fire, pour the wine, and settle in for a fine night of music from a songwriter you’re very likely to hear making quite a name for himself rather quickly. - The Red Banana

The lovely Tina Shafer served as a playful host while adding a few beautiful, heartfelt gems throughout. Boston’s own Zach Comtois (filling in admirably for Liz Longley who was off writing songs with John Mayer!) provided simple, catchy hooks and palpably honest love songs, including “Amanda,” which sounds like it belongs on the radio. Chana Rothman brought her unique blend of Judaic-folk-hip-hop (is that even possible?) and got the entire crowd singing along. And though everyone was great, Will Knox served as the show’s standout, combining vivid imagery and complex chord changes with passionate, heartfelt delivery. I still can’t get his song “Never Letting Go” out of my head.
- OurStage

By Jonny Drybanski

Opening acts can be somewhat of a wildcard in the overall experience of dedicated concert goers that flood small clubs and theater venues nightly in bustling cities. Often they are a chore to get through, a kind of musical Great Wall Of China standing between you and the experience you originally sought. This was certainly not the case for those who were treated to an opening set by soulful British indie/folk singer Will Knox at Berkley’s Cafe 939 in Boston, MA last Friday September 11th.

Knox, hailing from the town of Hammersmith in West London, unassumingly took the stage, alongside his bandmates for the evening, violinist Clayton Mathews and Chris Anderson on double bass, and humbly addressed the crowd. The audience, a calm collection of college aged music appreciators, were sprawled out on the long red couch lining the wall and sitting cross-legged on the floor. All were respectfully in tune with the performance from the start, a luxury many opening acts are not afforded in larger, less intimate settings.

The trio launched into their gingerly bouncing and heart wrenchingly earnest brand of folk tinged songs. Knox’s singing was articulate and well enunciated, allowing the lyrics to resonate with the audience. The music itself meandered beneath the vocalist in a similar vein, not letting any notes go unnoticed, getting the attention they deserved so as to fully serve the overall aesthetic of the songs. I found the inclusion of violin and double bass as a perfect accompaniment, enhancing the songs with a pleasing dynamic and harmonic depth.

The set list included cuts from the previously released Buckled Knees EP, released November 2008, as well as previews of the upcoming LP The Matador And The Acrobat due out sometime this fall. One track I recall that presumably will be on that release, was the aptly titled “Belly Of The Beast”, an interesting track which seemed to chronicle Knox’s love hate relationship with famously hectic New York City, upon first moving there. Other songs appearing on Buckled Knees feature eloquently and contemplatively written accounts of past experiences, love, and finding one’s way in life. The songs all seem to do a fine job of matching the musical tone and atmosphere with the subject matter they deal with. The musical phrases sound equally as optimistic, dramatic, meditative, passionate and insightful as the words sung over them. Overall, my experience with Will, Clayton and Chris at Cafe 939 was a sublime blend of intriguing new music, and relaxing atmosphere to combine for one of the most enjoyably unexpected pre-show acts I’ve ever seen.

I caught up with Mr. Knox a few days after the cafe 939 show to ask him a few questions about his background and what we can expect for the future:

SHRED: How long have you been playing music /what is your background in terms of why you started and how you learned?

I picked up the clarinet when I was 7. I think nearly every 7 year old plays either a recorder or a clarinet when they’re 7. I played in school orchestras and sang in choirs, but when I turned 13 I realized guitar was ‘way cooler’ and throughout high school I sang and played in a couple of bands. I owe a lot to my music teachers in high school, they were all extremely supportive of the bands we did, and one of them encouraged me to check out a music school in Boston.. which is how I ended up in the States. I brought my clarinet with me..

SHRED: What sort of instrumental arrangements can we expect to hear on The Matador And The Acrobat? Similar to the show? More varied? More simplistic?

The Matador & The Acrobat is vocals, acoustic guitar, upright bass, drums, violin and banjo. It stays pretty consistent in terms of instrumentation, but the record really experiments with dynamics. All the vocals and instruments were recorded at the same time (as opposed to a lot of overdubbing), in the hope that those dynamics would come out.

SHRED: Any plans to return to Boston?

Yes! We’ll be releasing The Matador & The Acrobat this November and will definitely be bringing the full band up to Boston. If you want updates on tour dates we have a mailing list at www.will-knox.com, where you get a free copy of our old EP Buckled Knees just for signing up.

SHRED:Who produced Buckled Knees?

Interesting question! It was a bit of a co-production between myself and Ted Paduck, an incredible engineer at Mix One Studios in Boston. The band are great at coming up with parts, and we’d been playing shows all summer, so by the time we went to record, it was more-or-less a case of just getting it on tape. Ted had some great ideas that helped enhance the sound and Hun Min Park did an awesome job on the mixing too.

Visit www.will-knox.com for more info on touring, some streaming media, and be sure to join the mailing list for your free copy of the Buckled Knees EP.

Also visit Will’s Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/willknoxmusic

Look out for a Shred News review of The Matador & The Acrobat sometime around its November 2009 release. - ShredNews.com

Alternative folk artist Will Knox didn’t just face his fear of the circus — he wrote an album about it. “There’s a lot of metaphors for how the circus is like life,” said Knox, 23. “The album ended up being a bit of a concept album.”

The songs from “The Matador & The Acrobat” range from theatrical and upbeat to heartbreakingly gentle. The album tells the story of a circus performer too scared to jump from his trapeze until encouraged to take a leap of faith by a matador’s voice inside his head. Besides the circus, Knox also drew from his experiences living in New York City for the album. After growing up in London, Knox moved first to Boston and then, two years ago, to New York, fascinated by its culture and immigrant history.

“Everywhere I looked, [the city] was a source of inspiration,” Knox said. “And it wasn’t necessarily a pleasant source — sometimes it was quite a scary source — but it was always fascinating.”

And because his songs about New York City render him the most emotional, Knox believes they help him best connect with his audience. As an unsigned artist, interacting with listeners is extremely important to him. That’s why he prefers intimate venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, where his band is playing Saturday night as part of its two-week tour. He’s also releasing a vinyl version of the album.

Knox said it is important for him to promote his music “organically” by playing gigs and building relationships with his fans. “Doing it organically hopefully makes your career a bit more stable,” Knox said. “If the right label or publisher comes along and wants to help us out, that’s great. Otherwise we’re just going to carry on driving around in our little van and doing it our way.” - AM New York: Christina Doka

Inspired by the likes of Ben Harper, Tracey Chapman and Edgar Allen Poe, maybe its no wonder why this troubadour comes off sounding a great deal like an English embodiment of Bob Dylan and Damien Rice combined.With themes that seem to drift between old-time nostalgia and modern day folklore, Will Knox has the makings of a master storyteller as he weaves lyrical imagery intricately between the hooks and melody of acoustic guitar, banjo and violin.
Born and raised in Hammersmith London, Will came to make a life for himself in the U.S. at the age of 18 in the city of Boston. He today finds inspiration for his music from his every-day life and surroundings in the urban sprawl of his new home, New York City.
Such inspiration was chanelled in the creation of his full length album, The Matador & The Acrobat and can be found in tracks like “The Belly of The Beast”, a metaphor for finding himself in the underground subway system. After giving him a listen its obvious that the album name is every bit appropriate and aptly named for the type of whimsical folk songs Knox has compiled for it. - Stranded In Stereo

Born in Hammersmith, England, Will Knox moved to Boston at the young age of 18 and has now moved on to New York City. The influences of both his home and his travels weigh heavily on Knox' latest album, The Matador & The Acrobat. Writing about the darker places of the human heart, Knox wraps up human imperfection in delicious little alt-folk tunes; always with an eye toward hope. His is not a world in decline, but a world grown beyond the understanding of hearts and minds that have never been fully prepared for the sophistication the modern age calls for. The Matador & The Acrobat represents the classic struggle between humanity's expansionist tendencies and our inherent insecurities.

Knox opens with "The Matador And The Acrobat I", a 36-second intro that introduces the narrator as an acrobat, bending himself to expectations and avoiding trouble, while inside resides a voice who is a fighter. "Buckled Knees" represents the emptiness of sacrificing yourself for stardom; when you achieve what you want there's nothing of you left to enjoy it. Knox uses Los Angeles as the Mecca for this emptiness, and the character in the song realizes this emptiness after he's already been broken by the machine. "A Painted Smile" is a song about losing your bearings, a like outcome from "Buckled Knees". Imagine The Beautiful South writing in the vein of The Wall-era Pink Floyd and you'll have a pretty good idea of the sound.

"Three Blind Mice" represented what goes on behind the mask of "A Painted Smile", describing the demons that unhinge the mind. The subtle disturbed arrangement is a great contrast to the lyrical content. "Belly Of The Beast" takes on the New York City Subway and the dark side of the bright city above. It's a wonderfully apt allegory for the sights and sounds beneath the city. Knox expresses existential angst in "Footprints On The Moon", noting the human capacity for destructive behavior and expressing the hope that we are not know one day simply by the artifacts we leave behind. "The Matador And The Acrobat II" is a transition, struggling between the comfort of the known and the agony of prospective change.

"Heart Strings" is the soliloquy of a recently disabused heart, looking back on all the manipulations he was caught up in. It's a powerful tune for the sense of helplessness that gives way to purpose. "Cog In The Machine" continues the theme, recognizing one's role in the greater machinations in life and making the choice to simply step out of the machine. Knox pays tribute to the roots of New York City, noting both the immigrant labor that raised the city and the way in which the island was acquired. "Never Letting Go" is a song about getting stuck in an emotional cycle; going around and around in circles but never breaking free. "The Circus Absurd" highlights again the sense of being a part of something greater, and the idea that this greater has something horribly wrong with it. Closing with "The Matador And The Acrobat III", Knox appears ready to step outside of the script and make his own path.

The Matador And The Acrobat mixes strong songwriting with Knox's quirky voice and distinctive delivery. Will Knox is a songwriter with a talent for getting inside the moment, and taking you with him. The Matador And The Acrobat is well worth spending some time on. - Wildy's World