Interview: Kevin Knapp

 

We have the pleasure of catching up with long time house don and American native Kevin Knapp. Just ahead of his collaborative release on Dirtybird 10 alongside Sacha Robotti. Enjoy.

 

Soundspace

So who is Kevin Knapp?

Kevin Knapp

One of mankind’s realness ambassadors, disguised as a music conveying, humorous, food consumption vessel.

 

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Soundspace

Your ‘Thump Bumper’ Collaboration with Sacha Robotti just came out on DIRTYBIRD 10, can you talk about the inspiration behind the track and how to collab’ came about?

Kevin Knapp

Sacha’s the homie for sure. It was just organic I guess, kind of like the friendship we’ve struck up since I arrived in Berlin. It’s easy. We laugh a bunch, deliver frequent high fives on our points of agreement, then go back to kickin’ it. I think that particular day, we were on a search for unfiltered, stripped down, unapologetic gusto and boom, the thump bumpin’ baby breathed life.

 

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Soundspace

Your initial thoughts when you were told Claude VonStroke selected your track for the album?

Kevin Knapp

Shock actually. He was so amped in his response and we submitted it on the last possible day. We were just sharing it with him really without realizing we were coming down to the wire. Albeit cliche, it was meant to be i guess. In all seriousness, Sacha’s been on the label before but after the years and years I’ve spent with that crew (Dirtybird) in various contexts this is the first time I’ve put music out with them so it’s special form me for sure.

 

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Soundspace

What’s your favourite track on the Dirtybird compilation?

Kevin Knapp

Function is dope for sure but at the moment I can’t shake that Catz n’ Dogz cut “Who Said It’s Time“.

 

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Soundspace

Tell us something we shouldn’t know about you?

Kevin Knapp

I’m quite agile for a big man. I’ll surprise ya homie.

 

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Soundspace

What’s the worst gig you’ve played?

Kevin Knapp

Not sure I can remember any specifically. In this game you can encounter all kina’ bullshit at times, from non payment to being booked to play top 40 or Hip Hop venues with crowds that would never feel you. I’m sure the worst form me though involved entirely too many drinks after a whale of an evening, and me steadfastly believing my mixing was tighter than gnat’s arse.

 

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Soundspace

2014 saw you release on OFF, DFTD, Hot Creations and Mother, what would make 2015 a year to remember?

Kevin Knapp

There’s a bunch of solo productions in cue, as well as remixes and collabs with a few of techno’s titans. All will be revealed soon.

 

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Soundspace

An up & comer you feel will make a huge impact on 2015?

Kevin Knapp

My homie Clint Stewart has been doing great things lately for sure. I’m always stoked to see what Tone of Arc is up to (though I’m not sure they qualify as up’n’comers) Also my friends Bells & Whistles back in SF are set to blow up soon I feel, those two just have the right balance of swag and great hearts.

 

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Soundspace

Can you tell us any plans you have for the future?

Kevin Knapp

2015 will be a big year I think. Now that I’m in Berlin and settled I can fully focus on cranking out music in the studio and enjoying all the percs living in europe hast to offer. I can’t wait. Now if ya’ll just warm it up a bit? I knew it’d be cold but dayum.

 

Grab Sacha Robotti & Kevin Knapp – Thump Bumper now, out on DIRTYBIRD10 by Claude VonStroke