Grant Talks Leaving his Legacy: New Music, Sound Exploring, and Future Grammy Speech
In the midst of coming from an event, I walked down the steps into a club and was immediately intrigued by what I was hearing. I had flashbacks to being a teenager with my boy band group t-shirt on, stars in my eyes, cheeks to eyes, bobbing back and forth to the music.
I was in awe of his talent, stage presence, and the way he totally embodied his art. This talent is certainly not overlooked with a huge fan base that believes in him undeniably. Grant is a 17-year-old rising sensation.
He was coming back from a run when we hopped on the call to get our conversation started. Humble and honored, we started the conversation off catching up.
(Nia Rice) When we first met, you were performing at your show in Hollywood “We Found New Music”. It was an amazing show! What have you been up to since then?
(GRANT KNOCHE) So I did that show late February. Then I did another show for “We Found the Music”, mid-march.
I was hoping to do more shows in LA, and build more. In the last two years, I’ve been just working on my solo music. I was in Kidzbop so I did 162 shows and 48 states, crowds of 10,000 people.
That was with a group. It's a totally different performing solo. I wanted to work on my music and have enough original content and not just doing covers on stage.
So I got enough original content to do that 30-minute set there. I was hoping to do more shows, but then COVID happened.
It’s actually been really good because I’ve been able to focus and make more music, finish that - with no distractions. That’s always good. Sid (His A&R at Create Music Group) knows - that's always a thing of mine.
I would start a song, and I would get 50%-60% through it and then I'll find another sound while I’m on that project. Oh I’ll start a new project
(NR) : I know the teenage mind, you’re so excited to explore the sounds.
(GK): Yes! Totally!
(NR): “Paper House” is so fun and creative. Talk about getting into the mindset when creating “Paper House”. What’s your favorite part about creating in the studio?
(GK): I wrote that with a guy named Jack Newsome. He was on the first season of Song Land. My old management set me up with him.
We wrote that song 8 months ago or something. I produced the whole thing out.
At that point I was thinking since I always move on to other songs before they’re finished, I needed to get the full structure of this song. So then I can just keep adding.
That one was really really fun to do. I love how it has a circus vibe to it. When we sat and wrote it, we were really excited.
I love to use different and unique productions on songs, so that’s why I did the bridge like that. Where the piano falls down type-of-thing. It was a song that I can do whatever I want. And I can make it as whimsical and weird as I want because it was about art.
(NR): We hear you have another song buzzing into the limelight soon. What's the inspiration behind this one?
(GK): AS IT SHOULD is a timeline of your feelings about the one that got away and how you just have to come to terms with them moving on and choosing someone else". This song is very special to me because everyone, including me, has had that thought of "what if it happened" when thinking of a lost relationship.
The hardest part is watching that person move on without you, meet someone new, get married, have kids, and you just have to come to terms with it all and let what's meant to happen, happen. Very excited for people to hear it!
(NR): You’ve seen artists like Justin Bieber and Chris Brown grow up in the music industry from the same age as you. How can you assure your longevity in the music industry as you age and grow?
(GK): I think for me, music is just 100% my passion. I wake up, live, and breathe it.
It’s not something I'm doing just to get famous and make money. It’s something I truly love and constantly work on. I'll be down in the studio (this is my studio here) at 4 am and my dad is texting me “turn down the base get to bed!”
So, it’s something I’m really passionate about and I want to keep getting better at it. I think longevity wise, I want to make quality music.
Keep putting that out. Working and getting better on my craft.
It’s hard because I’ll see influencers on social media just get signed quickly. They get on big playlists and stuff like that.
But then you listen to the music and some of it is not quality. So I'm really working on myself to put out the best that I can. To make sure I have that longevity.
(NR): I love that you’re not comparing yourself. You understand timing, patience, and creativity. Who are some of your Collab Inspos? Dead or Alive!
(GK): I don’t really have any that are dead. I wish I had more. I think I need to listen to older style music and pick up some inspiration. I feel like these artists bring them back. Without me knowing I probably get inspiration from older artists.
I have 7 artists that are my top inspiration: Julia Michaels, Billie Elish, Adele, and more!
I would die to work with Julia Michaels! Her writing style and melodies are incredible and have really influenced me for years. Her lyrics are so raw and really cut through your heart. Just to sit in a room, face to face, and write with her would be insane! Looking forward to that day!
(NR): Can we look forward to an EP releasing this year?
(GK): I’m excited about releasing my EP this year. It’s my first full project I'm putting out. So I'm super excited about it. It’s been taking a while because I want to make sure it’s quality and when I’m writing the music I always see the visuals. Performance, music video, and things like that. So for my visuals, I would like to have that done as well. Lay it all out for me. It’s taking a bit, but I want to make sure it is quality.
(NR): We saw you step foot on the 2020 Grammys red carpet. What was that like? And, what would your Grammy speech sound like?
(GK): First stepping on the carpet was really cool. It was my first time, I wasn't sure what to expect. It was crazy because of Kobe. But once we got there, it was incredible. I walked past one of my biggest inspirations. I was telling myself to stay cool!
Hmm, for my grammy speech...hmmm. Just to win an award would be incredible.
But my speech would start with me thanking my parents. They’ve been there for me since day one. My dad quit his job to tour with me.
My mom moved out to LA recently. They are always pushing me. They are just huge supporters. Thankful for them.
Another one would be my brother, he’s a drummer as well. Being around him has inspired me with his musical taste.
He also gives opinions and helps me in different areas. I'll send him a song and he’ll say, um no, I think this can be better.
It’s always great to have someone pushing me. Of course, my team Create, they’re incredible. Always pushing for me, and getting me good opportunities.
I’m probably forgetting a bunch like I probably would if I won a Grammy. Oh - yes! MY FANS! They’re just like my family, they are my supporters.
They’re basically my family. They help me continue to do what I do and keep pushing me. I love them so much!
(NR): Anything you want to leave us with?
(GK): First, Thank you so much for loving Paper House. That’s amazing. At first, I was like, “I don't know if people are going to like this, it’s a little different” I’m so grateful they all love it. Keep an eye out on my EP coming out, I have a few more singles coming out this year as well! I’m probably missing some stuff…..but yeah!
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