Kevin Knapp is fast proving a maestro in the dark grooves of house music. Despite still being in the infancy of his career, his resumé already boasts collaborations with everyone from Richy Ahmed to Matt Tolfrey as well as impressive individual displays on renowned imprints like OFF Recordings, Leftroom and, of course, Hot Creations.
His latest release titled ‘Heft’ sees him return to Jamie Jones and Lee Foss’s love baby Hot Creations, which has the making of the ideal home for the Texas-born and Berlin-based producer. Sitting down with When We Dip this week, Knapp detailed the process behind the new EP, his love for the label and numerous exciting projects to come!
WWD: Thanks for joining us Kevin! Where are you right now? What have you been working on this week?
I’m sitting in my apartment/studio/workspace in rainy Friedrichshain in Berlin. The week is still pretty young so I’m actually really just beginning to crank things off my to do list now. I played at Berlin Beats and Boats on Saturday, and then spent Sunday afternoon in Panorama Bar with Seth Troxler and The Martinez Brothers so yesterday, Monday, was kind of a half speed day. My manager and PR agent and I need to check in and get on the same page regarding the projects that are coming up and their timing, release dates etc… so I’m just kinda pulling that info together so we know exactly how we want to approach things as we head into the second half of 2015.
I’m working on some new solo material here at home for the remainder of the afternoon, off to meeting with my agent for a catch up tonight, and then in the studio with Sacha Robotti tomorrow sorting out our New EP. The end of the week will be focused on doing some more solo studio production work and then prepping to hang out with my music brothers, Audiojack, for the 5 years of GRUUV showcase here in Berlin on Saturday night. So yeah, lots happening.
WWD: Tell us… what does Kevin Knapp do when he’s not churning out House bangers?
Haha – not sure I’d say I’m a banger production house but thank you! We kick it usually and try to soak up as much of the good weather in the Berlin summer as we can. When I’m not giggin’ or working on tunes, or doing project work for the legal non-profit back in the US, we definitely try to just chill and replenish. My wife and I are both waaaayyy into food, cooking, & wine etc… and also quite a bit into film, so if it ain’t music I’m usually focused in one of those two areas.
WWD: Talk to us about the new EP! Was it long in the pipeline?
Actually, not really considering they are such a big label. I think I remember reading somewhere or maybe hearing from Jamie in an interview that they’ve been working hard over at HC to put releases out quicker and not to sit on them a long time etc… before release, so from creation to release the process was just about 6 months long. It’s funny because this was my first year in Miami when I was still living in the US, Movement/DEMF was more my style/primary annual conference. However, the first year I go to Miami show up with music for Jamie and Lee and Jamie basically broke the record when he closed down Ultra at the last day of the conference. It was the second track he played and the crowd went mental. I remember hearing stories of how many folks in the past have had big records break at the conference and how much public support and appreciation they gain there and my first year there it happens to me. Kind of brings the picture of what Miami is about into full view.
WWD: Back on Hot Creations once again, what’s make the imprint special for you?
I just really dig the dudes/artists who are on it, always have. The music they release has a mixture of funk and handclaps, that has its moments of trippy and/or dissonance and soul that just meld together in the right combination, and it’s rare in my opinion for a label to hit on all those levels. I’ve been a fan of Jamie’s music for about 10 years or so, so I can’t say I’m surprised since he’s one of the label founders.
WWD: When did you first make the connection with Jamie Jones & co.?
I first met Jamie in 2012 when Audiojack and I had just released Stay Glued. He did not know who I was but I ran up to him in Detroit and struck up a convo because I’d seen him and Seth Troxler playing the track in several videos. Since then I’ve seen him at a bunch of different spots around the world and we’ve always had a good rapport. I’ve known Lee since like 2007 maybe??? I don’t know, we met many years ago when I played a gig at Avalon and LA and we’ve always shared a bunch of common friends so our friendship has just kind of grown naturally over the years. I also met Richy in Detroit several years ago when we were on a boat together, also playing one of my tunes. Hmmm… I guess we were all supposed to be down?? haha.
WWD: Can you give us your three favourite Hot Creations tracks of all time?
The Drums Feat. Kevin Knapp – Richy Ahmed
Patrick Topping – Forget
Say What? – Jamie Jones
WWD: Do you ever envisage setting your up your own label?
Yes I do actually. For now I think just working on more solo material released on proper labels is kind of the focus but once we’ve done a bit more of that, I actually think that will likely be the next step in the evolution of my involvement in this community. I’m really looking forward to when that day comes because I have so many friends making fantastic tunes that it’ll be a joy to help them get it out into the world.
WWD: The Summer season is in full flow, what have the highlights been for you so far?
Haha BOATS BOATS BOATS!!! I’m from San Francisco and I’m a Pisces so water is a big thing for me. We’ve been doing shows on them and also just renting and doing low key BBQ’s on boats a lot this season already, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I be gettin’ my Captian Kev on, it’s kind of a sight to behold! 😉
WWD: What else can we expect from you in the coming months?
There is a bunch of collaborative co-productions I have in the release pipeline from Pan-Pot & Daniel Dexter to Guti & Matt Tolfrey, Audiojack & Mat.Joe so stay tuned for those! I have a remix coming out for S-Man in early September and a new Solo EP that should be out sometime this fall so there’s a bunch of stuff in the pipeline destined to hit dance floors soon. You know, we keeps it movin’!
The Heft EP is out now on Beatport.
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