NXTSTYLE’s 2020 Songs of the Summer: Grant Knoche “PAPER HOUSE” & “18”

INTRODUCING NXTSTYLE’S ‘SONGS OF THE SUMMER,’ HIGHLIGHTING OUR FAVORITE TRACKS WE’VE DISCOVERED THIS SUMMER. OVER 70 SONGS FROM NEW AND INDEPENDENT ARTISTS FORM OUR SUMMER 2020 SOUNDTRACK. TODAY WE FEATURE SINGER/SONGWRITER GRANT KNOCHE. WE FEATURED HIM ON OUR LIST OF 100 ARTISTS FOR 2020 EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAVING COVERED GRANT FOR SOME TIME, WE KNOW HE’LL DELIVER HEAT TO OUR PLAYLIST, AND THAT HE DID WITH TWO SINGLES LANDING ON OUR LIST THIS SUMMER. GET TO KNOW GRANT KNOCHE IN OUR FEATURED INTERVIEW.

I LOVE “PAPER HOUSE” IT’S A GREAT POP TRACK THAT CAPTURES THE THEME OF THE SONG SO WELL. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SONGS THAT IS MADE FOR A MUSIC VIDEO THOUGH THE LYRIC VIDEO IS PRETTY GREAT! TAKE US THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS AND DID YOU GET THE SAME FEEL THAT SAME SYNERGY AS YOU WERE PUTTING THE SONG TOGETHER?

Hey thank you 🙂 Am dying to do a music video to this one. Definitely something I’m excited to work on in the future. “PAPER HOUSE” was such a fun song to write. I wrote it with a good friend and insanely talented songwriter, Jack Newsome. Whenever I think of a song title or melody idea, I like to record it into my voice memos or write it down in notes. I had the idea of a “paper house up in flames” in my phone for a while and when I read it to Jack, he seemed to connect with that concept, so we gave it a go. We really wanted to be experimental with the writing and production on it and it just flowed so easily. On the production side, it was so awesome to be experimental and add little things like the fire crackling noises and the descending piano in the bridge, which plays into the theme of a house burning down. So proud of how it turned out! It has a very dark pop circus-like vibe to it which I think is so interesting!

AS MENTIONED “PAPER HOUSE” IS A SONG THAT REALLY COMES TO LIFE AND I COULD DEFINITELY SEE IT PLACED ON A TV SHOW AT THE VERY LEAST. IN YOUR OPINION WHAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE SYNC PLACEMENT FOR THIS SONG?

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Apple iPhone commercials and I think “PAPER HOUSE” would be so dope for one of those! I can already imagine the camera panning around the new iPhone and the bridge of “PAPER HOUSE” playing. Ugh! would be so cool.

FIRST THINGS FIRST, IT’S CRAZY TO THINK YOU’RE ONLY 18 AND ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH ALREADY. “18” BEING YOUR LATEST SINGLE DEALS WITH THE PRESSURES OF SUCCESS AND. IT SOMETIMES TAKES COURAGE FOR MALES TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS IN THAT RESPECT. HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR YOUR TO SHOW VULNERABILITY IN YOUR MUSIC AND TALK ABOUT YOUR OVERALL CONNECTION TO THIS SONG THAT LED YOU TO RELEASE IT AS A SINGLE.

Aw thanks. I definitely feel like sometimes it’s a challenge for me to be vulnerable in my writing but I feel like over the last few years or so, I’ve gotten way more comfortable and used it. With the first few sessions I ever did, the other songwriters would ask me questions like “so what are you going through right now” and “how are you feeling”. At first those questions were hard for me answer, especially when you’re saying it to people that you’d just met 10 minutes ago haha. But I truly feel like I’ve become way more open and vulnerable in my writing.

I wrote “18” with Jack Newsome and Brooke Williams and we got onto the topic of friends becoming jealous after you’ve had success. I’d always hate it when I’d see an old friend and they’d say “ohhh you’ve moved to L.A. now and you think you’re too cool huh?”“18” is very cool to me cause it’s basically a collage of experiences that Jack, Brooke, and I have all been through.

LISTEN ON

FOLLOW GRANT KNOCHE

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GRANT KNOCHE

IN THE NEXT 100 FEATURE YOU TOLD US YOU’D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH OSCAR GÖRRES AND FINNEAS. ONCE LIVE EVENTS ARE BACK ON WHO WOULD YOU MOST LOVE TO TOUR WITH?

Dang! This is a hard question. I mean on the big side, it would insane to open for Billie, Troye Sivan, Dua Lipa, or Lauv! But regardless of who I tour with, I’m just so excited to get back out on the road, perform my new music, and meet all my fans!

WITH THE CHALLENGES THAT 2020 HAS BROUGHT, HAS IT CHANGED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS? HAS THE EVENTS OF THIS YEAR INFLUENCED YOUR SONGWRITING?

2020 has been insane!!! It’s crazy to say, but with as much of a curse that COVID has been, it’s also been a blessing for me as well. I’ve finished sooo much music since it’s all started, spent so much time with family, and it’s even made me take a reality check and remember to not take things for granted.

WHETHER IT’S AN ALBUM, BEING AROUND CERTAIN PEOPLE, OR AN ACTIVITY, WHAT IS ONE THING THAT HAS HELPED YOU MOVE FORWARD DURING THE PANDEMIC? ANYTHING YOU CAN SUGGEST FOR OTHERS?

Music has totally helped me throughout this pandemic. I’ve finished up so much music with 0% distractions and its incredible. But, I also can’t lie and say that streaming hasn’t helped me out either haha! Theres been so many great shows that have helped me stay sane as well lol.

FAST FORWARD SEVERAL MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD. THE VACCINE IS HERE, AMERICA HAS FULLY OPENED! WHAT’S FIRST ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

First thing on my bucket list is to take a vacation trip with my family. I’ve seen the same four walls of my house for way too damn long lol.

Well…I’m gonna be releasing my EP later this month which I’m so happy about!! I’ve been working so hard on it and have kept my fans waiting for my EP for way too long. I’m so excited that it’s finally gonna be here!!

IS THERE A CHARITY OR ORGANIZATION THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU THAT YOU URGE OTHERS TO LOOK INTO?

I really urge people to look into charities that help out COVID-19 patients, doctors, and nurses! These doctors and nurses are putting their lives at risk to help others while we are safe in our homes. They are heroes! 🙂

GRANT KNOCHE’S TOP 5 SONGS FOR THE SUMMER:

  1. 1) Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia (The Album) – Ok first of all, this album is a masterpiece. Every song on it is a banger and it’s been playing through my speakers a lot this summer!
  2. 2) John The Blind “Bottle of Pills ” – This song has been stuck in my head for so long lol. There’s something so familiar about it but still so new. Love it.
  3. 3) Troye Sivan “Easy” – Damn, even tho I don’t have my license yet, this song makes me wanna drive down the PCH, windows down, with this song on blast. So good.
  4. 4) Gracie Abrams “Friend” – Ugh Gracie’s voice is so soothing and the melodies & words in this song are so beautiful.
  5. 5) Gracie Abrams “Friend” – Ugh Gracie’s voice is so soothing and the melodies & words in this song are so beautiful.

Listen to all of our featured artist’s favorite songs of the summer on our special Spotify playlist.

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Discover New Music

THE ‘NEXT IN MUSIC’ PLAYLIST

Discover a wide range of new music we love from artists located all across the world. Follow the ‘NEXT in Music’ playlist on Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.

MUSIC IN 2020 INTERVIEW SERIES

WE INTERVIEWED MUSIC PROS AND TASTEMAKERS TO GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON WHERE MUSIC IS HEADED AND TO DISCOVER WHAT NEW MUSIC THEY’RE LISTENING TO.

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