KNIGHT$ at The Exchange with Heaven 17
Saturday 23 September 2017
This blog is about a very talented electronic music artist, James Knights, whose band KNIGHT$ has quickly risen in popularity on the 'underground electronic music scene'. You may not have heard much about KNIGHT$, or, like me, you may be a massive fan already, but either way, hopefully this will prove interesting and, importantly, inspire you to want to know more, both about James, and about his contemporaries on the underground synth scene.
The Exchange may be a smaller venue, with a capacity of approximately 400 standing and 300 seated, situated in a small North Dorset town, however, on 23 September, my very good friend and manager of The Exchange, Karen, booked iconic synth legends Heaven 17 for the evening. Heaven 17's management asked her to book a support artist to open the show .......... and KNIGHT$ got the job!
Back story/history
James has been making music since his 20s with the band Scarlet Soho, which many will already be familiar with. Scarlet Soho were an accomplished band and embarked on many tours. During that time, Scarlet Soho produced three albums and several EPs before the band took a break in early 2015. However, creativity and performing clearly being part of James' DNA, he wanted to continue making music, but in a different style and direction, and in a more up-tempo/disco genre. And thank goodness he did, because towards the end of 2015, KNIGHT$ was created.
For me, James sums it up perfectly when he says that Scarlet Soho was formed to make a specific type of music; very British with a faux dark side; because it seemed that this was more commercially acceptable than pure pop. However, as time went on, a plethora of bands making the same type of music began to emerge, conforming to the same sound. With KNIGHT$, James wanted to make a different sound, the sound which KNIGHT$ is now known for, and which James describes as incorporating a more American musical vibe with the addition of throw-away pop elements.
Those of you who know me and my electronic musical tastes will therefore understand why James' music as KNIGHT$ appeals to me so much! In my opinion, music must be engaging and melodic and most importantly, artists should be true to themselves and their preferred musical direction, which is why I love the underground electronic music scene so much - these artists, including James, are uncompromising in their passion for their particular genre of electronic music. And quite rightly!
KNIGHT$ is very much a modern artist and with his musical influences and direction emanating from the most exciting, pioneering era of our generation, it is no surprise the music he makes has powerful, catchy melodies delivered with such passion.
How I discovered KNIGHT$
Probably due to my constant unrelenting social media postings about the synth artists that I love so much, James made contact and I referred him immediately to Rob Green. Rob is a musician/singer/songwriter with his own brilliant electronic band, The Department, and is also a promoter and DJ, currently with Artefaktor Radio. Rob subsequently played KNIGHT$ on his enduringly popular radio show - The Synth Wave Show - and the rest is history! James and his music has been exceptionally well-received with air-play on The Synth Wave Show, Rusty Egan's Electronic Family Tree radio show, and many other synth radio shows (there are too many to name!). Over the months, KNIGHT$ has gained in popularity, has a big fan-base, and is one of the most popular artists on the scene.
Personally, I loved James' music instantly and soon purchased his 'What's Your Poison' EP comprising four amazing self-penned tracks; 'What's Your Poison?', 'So Cold', 'What We Leave Behind', & 'Miami Knights'. Each track on this EP is as excellent as the next, possibly my favourite being 'So Cold'.
I am predominantly a fan of KNIGHT$ type of electronic pop music - where there is a catchy melody, fabulous synth arrangements, songs you can sing along to, and music that makes you want to get up and dance. There are many sub-genres within the electronic music genre but this is my personal preference.
James is an incredible performer and has an amazing ability to draw the audience in immediately with his confident self-assured performance and incredible vocal. I had not seen James perform live before 6 May 2016 but I'd heard from Rob and other friends how awesome his performance was at a prior London gig, and that he'd blown everyone away.
And I was certainly blown away the first time that I saw KNIGHT$ perform live. It was at a Synth Club event in London in May 2016, organised and promoted by Rob Green. The gig was actually Black Nail Cabaret's album launch but had the most incredible line-up of special guests, which included KNIGHT$.
Probably due to my constant unrelenting social media postings about the synth artists that I love so much, James made contact and I referred him immediately to Rob Green. Rob is a musician/singer/songwriter with his own brilliant electronic band, The Department, and is also a promoter and DJ, currently with Artefaktor Radio. Rob subsequently played KNIGHT$ on his enduringly popular radio show - The Synth Wave Show - and the rest is history! James and his music has been exceptionally well-received with air-play on The Synth Wave Show, Rusty Egan's Electronic Family Tree radio show, and many other synth radio shows (there are too many to name!). Over the months, KNIGHT$ has gained in popularity, has a big fan-base, and is one of the most popular artists on the scene.
Personally, I loved James' music instantly and soon purchased his 'What's Your Poison' EP comprising four amazing self-penned tracks; 'What's Your Poison?', 'So Cold', 'What We Leave Behind', & 'Miami Knights'. Each track on this EP is as excellent as the next, possibly my favourite being 'So Cold'.
I am predominantly a fan of KNIGHT$ type of electronic pop music - where there is a catchy melody, fabulous synth arrangements, songs you can sing along to, and music that makes you want to get up and dance. There are many sub-genres within the electronic music genre but this is my personal preference.
James is an incredible performer and has an amazing ability to draw the audience in immediately with his confident self-assured performance and incredible vocal. I had not seen James perform live before 6 May 2016 but I'd heard from Rob and other friends how awesome his performance was at a prior London gig, and that he'd blown everyone away.
And I was certainly blown away the first time that I saw KNIGHT$ perform live. It was at a Synth Club event in London in May 2016, organised and promoted by Rob Green. The gig was actually Black Nail Cabaret's album launch but had the most incredible line-up of special guests, which included KNIGHT$.
From the instant James got up on stage, he had the audience immediately engaged in his performance. He
performed tracks from his 'What's Your Poison?' EP, among others (see The Electricity Club's review of the evening by Chi Ming Lai, including KNIGHT$: www.electricityclub.co.uk/synth-club-live-electrowerkz/
and at the end, the audience was so enamoured with his performance, we all started calling and cheering for an encore. I've never witnessed this before at a gig of this nature and it was an utter joy to see. James finished with a rendition of Pet Shop Boy's 'Heart', and this was met with rapturous applause.
It was an amazing performance and I, like many others, were left buzzing! I knew James was special from that night. James' ability to have the audience absorbed in every song, whether or not they'd heard his music before, is a very special trait and speaks volumes about the quality of his music and his ability as a performer.
The line-up that night consisted of a cross-section of very talented electronic artists representing some of the absolute best from the modern synth scene, but for me personally, KNIGHT$, without question, stole the show.
Heaven 17 gig
I next saw James perform live at The Railway in Winchester. Coincidentally, Karen and I had planned to attend this gig around the same time that Karen was looking for a support artist for Heaven 17. As I suspected (as we have pretty similar musical tastes), as soon as Karen saw James perform, she knew he would perfect to open the show for Heaven 17 at The Exchange. Nina, another incredibly popular and successful musician on the synth scene, also played at The Railway that night.
Karen quickly sent details of KNIGHT$ to Heaven 17's management and of course they were happy to have KNIGHT$ as their show-opener and James was delighted, as was I. As mentioned above, I post a great deal (and will never stop!) on social media about the amazingly talented artists on the 'underground electronic music scene' who are writing, producing and performing their own awesome music, but getting little mainstream commercial recognition. So when James was booked to perform with Heaven 17, I was probably as excited as he was!
James put in his usual stellar performance when opening the show for Heaven 17. I know for a fact that not many residents of Sturminster Newton and its surrounding area will have heard of KNIGHT$, which makes it even more special that the audience were so receptive to James' performance and gave him such a warm welcome. James concluded his set with Pet Shop Boys' 'Heart' and it felt like this sealed the adoration of the audience. and probably of some new fans.
Heaven 17 of course went down an absolute storm with their incredible performance and it was an utter pleasure to see the band in such an intimate setting. No concessions were made for the fact that The Exchange is a smaller venue - the show was everything I've seen before at festivals before audiences of thousands ..... and more!
The audience was full of adoring fans and, predictably, Heaven 17's performance of 'Temptation' brought the house down, but the enduring memory of the evening for me was the obvious affection between Glenn & Martyn, which I've hopefully managed to capture in some photos. This is certainly not something I've seen at a festival performance and I've been at the barrier for a few of Heaven 17's festival appearances! The intimacy of a smaller venue and it being a Heaven 17 gig, instead of a set as part of a festival line-up, created a very special atmosphere on the night and a more personal connection with the audience. Having not seen Heaven 17 at their own gig before, I was thoroughly impressed.
Having been an avid, devoted Duran Duran fan throughout my teen years (and still am!) and that influential period of the late 70s/early 80s, Heaven 17 somehow passed me by and were very much on the periphery of my musical preferences. However, I am so glad I have now become more acquainted with them and their music, and I feel privileged to have seen them live at a venue such as The Exchange.
Post-gig
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to speak with Glenn and Martyn after the gig. I was keen to know how they felt playing The Exchange, and other smaller venues, particularly having only seen them before perform to crowds of thousands at festivals, and particularly in light of the fact that, in stark contrast, they were about to jet off to New York for a gig.
They said that they loved playing The Exchange, that they really enjoyed it, and that is certainly the impression portrayed from their performance. Both Glenn and Martyn said they loved doing smaller venues and talked about one they had appeared at previously in Holmfirth, even smaller than The Exchange.
Glenn and Martyn were true gentlemen, generous with their time and lovely to speak to, and they were more than happy to pose for photographs.
I also of course took the opportunity to ask Glenn and Martyn what they thought of James' set and they both said they thought he was a great performer, and the perfect support artist for a Heaven 17 gig. Glenn even said that he had been watching James from the side of the stage, that he loved his energy, and the fact he put in a proper performance, as opposed to just standing on stage in front of a microphone! High praise indeed!
James joined us shortly afterwards from his dressing room and they congratulated him on his performance personally. Seeing this was pretty special.
KNIGHT$ videos
You've seen some photos, now check out these live videos....
'What's Your Poison?' - live in Berlin:
https://youtu.be/QrlhAM3OEww
'So Cold' - live in Berlin:
https://youtu.be/TaRSKIkkWfg
'Heart' (Pet Shop Boys cover) - live in Berlin:
https://youtu.be/o36AxwMBqjk
Official video for 'What's Your Poison?'
https://youtu.be/RBZgKfOvMPI
https://youtu.be/Ut1viSheFUo
And check out this video which beautifully showcases James' exceptional vocal talent:
'Hunting High & Low' (Aha cover) - Live - Record Store Day 2016:
https://youtu.be/wfnPv7cb_Jk
Forthcoming gigs
KNIGHT$ are appearing at the Synth Wave Live Festival 2 on April 7th in London, alongside an incredible line-up of the absolute best in modern synthwave acts from the UK and overseas. This really is one festival of music that MUST be in your calendar!
Get your ticket here:
KNIGHT$ is also appearing at Heartbreakers, December 1st, Southampton
Get your ticket here:
http://mirrormanshop.
Links
Use these links to connect with James via social media and keep in touch with news of all his latest releases and gigs, etc, and for links to buy his music:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Knights101/
Official website: http://knights101.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpsknights
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/knights101
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knights101/
Bandcamp: https://knights101.bandcamp.com/
Music can be purchased from the usual platforms: Amazon/ITunes/Bandcamp
'What's Your Poison?' EP was released in November 2016
'Alligator' EP was recently released in October 2017
This was another extraordinary night of exceptional entertainment in Sturminster Newton at The Exchange, made particularly special as this is The Exchange's 10th anniversary year. As ever, it was the hard work, dedication and devotion of the staff and volunteers at The Exchange who made it such a success. Of particular note for me was the incredible quality of the lighting, which was planned and designed by one of The Exchange's volunteers. So good was its effect, that somebody thought it was the work of one of Heaven 17's professional lighting engineers. The talent of the volunteers at The Exchange seriously knows no bounds!
The evening was nothing short of amazing, not only from the point of view of having electronic icons Heaven 17 appear in my hometown, but also because it is incredibly special when one of the talented artists on the modern 'underground electronic music scene' appear on the same stage as an artist of this calibre. These modern electronic music artists need and deserve as much exposure and promotion as possible to showcase their incredible talent. Everybody I spoke with, both on the night, and as recently as at the OMD gig in Southampton on Friday with somebody who was at The Exchange that night, had nothing but positive feedback for James.
KNIGHT$
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Knights101/
Official website: http://knights101.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpsknights
Check out The Exchange's website for listings of forthcoming events and other exciting shows, but you can also keep an eye out in the local press.
http://stur-exchange.co.uk/
For the best classic and new electronic synth-based music and artists, check out Artefaktor Radio. Broadcast globally from Mexico City and created and expertly managed by Renato Moyssen, it is the most incredible source of new electronic/synthwave artists.
http://artefaktorradio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ArtefaktorRadio/
In particular, check out Rusty Egan's Mixcloud for recordings of hundreds of his back shows showcasing the absolute best in classic and modern electronica; The Electronic Family Tree Radio Show - named as such because it traces the roots of electronica from the golden, pioneering era of music to the modern day synth artists, of whom Rusty is a massive supporter and promoter.
https://www.mixcloud.com/rustyegan/
Rusty Egan's radio show is broadcast every Friday at 8pm on Artefaktor Radio and The Electronic Family Tree Radio Show facebook group is here which you can join and participate in the live chat with like-minded music fans live during each show:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/717772968322758/
