Interview with Will Knox
August 17, 2010
Picked up on a chance to do an email interview with the one and only Will Knox recently, here's how it went...
Sonic Dissonance (SD): First, I’d like to say well done with the new album. There’s a few pretty fantastic songs on there. How’s the overall reaction from fans & press alike for The Matador & The Acrobat?
Will Knox (WK): Thanks a lot! My fans have responded really well to it, especially my mother. It was nominated as album of the year by one blog, but it's had it's also had its critics. If you treat it as a collection of singles you might not like it - it's definitely an album that needs 36 minutes of patience.
SD: While we’re on the subject, where did the name “The Matador & The Acrobat” come from?
WK: The Acrobat is me, or you. The Matador is the voice inside our heads that tells us to do things we’re too scared to do. I have no idea where the characters came from, they just got scribbled down on a bit of paper! I did go through a fascination with the circus and its wealth of metaphors for a while. I think I was looking for a contrast to a timid acrobat - somehow a daredevil matador dressed head to toe in red came to mind.
SD: You’re originally from London, what brought you stateside?
WK: I got in to a music college in the States, which then helped me get a visa to stick around for a while. I miss London a phenomenal amount, but I fell in love with New York and I had a lot of friends here, so it made sense to stay for a while. I'll move back to London one day though I'm sure.
SD: Where do you come up with the inspiration for your songs?
WK: New York got a lot of songs out of me when I first moved here, it was hard to turn a corner and not be inspired. I've noticed whenever my environment changes a few new songs come out, maybe I should move again.
SD: I recognized a lot of clichés and very commonly used phrases “landing on my two feet,” “puppet on a string,” etc. was the use of that many cliché type phrases intentional?
WK: Most of these phrases, like the one's you mentioned have a double meaning, and aren't just meant as cliches. A lot of the other lyrics are more cryptic, so sometimes the cliches helped put a familiar face on more unfamiliar subject matter too.
SD: If you had to pick out one of your own musical experiences that stands out above everything else, what was it?
WK: I opened up for Art Garfunkel once, he knocked on my door and wished me luck. It was a huge honor to support him, and for him to come and say hello meant so much. Plus it made that Flight of the Concords episode so much better.
SD: How/when did you decide to pursue your own musical career?
WK: I was 18 and I'd just finished high school. I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew writing songs made me happy. Since then it's just been an organic process from playing open-mics to being interviewed by Sonic Dissonance! My family has always been supportive, I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for their encouragement.
SD: If you could hand pick any artist, any time to perform with, who would it be?
WK: Nick Drake around 1969, before he stopped playing live. I can't believe how few people got to see him play a show.
SD: What’s your favorite record to listen to in the van?
WK: Weezer's Blue Album definitely gets a few spins while we're driving. I like to listen to extremist-Republican AM Radio though, never fails to keep me awake.
SD: What’s next for Will Knox?
WK: We're making a new EP, and we're trying something new by releasing it as a comic book/graphic novel, using all the lyrics as a narrative to the illustrations. It'll come with a unique download code to get the MP3's, so we're trying to get rid of jewel cases and bring some artwork back in to music. Look out for it later in the fall!
SD: thx again for taking the time to talk Will & good luck with the album.
WK: Thank you!!