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Daniel Knox
Born (1980-09-22) September 22, 1980 (age 43)
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano
Years active2007-present
LabelsCarrot Top, H.P. Johnson Presents
Website danielknox.com

Daniel Knox (born September 22, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter and composer. Based in Chicago, Illinois, [1] Knox rose to prominence through his collaborations with David Lynch, Jarvis Cocker, the Handsome Family, Rufus Wainwright and Nina Nastasia. [2] [3] [4]

Biography

Daniel Knox was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. [5] Knox had an early interest in cinema and enrolled in the film program at Columbia College Chicago, [5] only to drop out after a year, citing his disillusionment with the collaborative process. [1] He then began to teach himself piano [2] [6] by playing in public spaces at night, mostly in hotel lobbies. [7] Knox did not sing until he was in his early twenties. [5]

Knox worked many odd jobs [5] and eventually became a projectionist at Chicago's Music Box Theatre. [2] [8] It was through the Music Box that Knox was selected by director David Lynch, who was touring with his film Inland Empire, to perform a piece of music alongside Lynch’s screening in 2007. [1] [6] Knox played an original piece on the theater’s organ [5] as an overture while Lynch read a poem. [1]

In 2007, Knox was invited by art director David Coulter to perform at the Barbican Center alongside musicians including Rufus Wainwright, the Handsome Family and Damon Albarn. [1] In 2012, Knox was an artist-in-residence at the Watermill Center in New York alongside photographer John Atwood. [9] [3]

Knox’s 2018 album, Chasescene, includes a number of notable collaborations. [10] Jarvis Cocker sings the lead vocals on "Capitol", [7] Nina Nastasia sings "The Poisoner" [10] and Brett Sparks of the Handsome Family sings back-up vocals on "David Charmichael". [3] Knox has cited Nastasia as one of his favorite living songwriters. [11]

Knox has written scores for films as well as theater. [9] The portrait on the cover of Knox's 2015 self-titled album was painted by artist Gregory Jacobsen. [12]

Musical style

Knox is noted for his baritone vocals [13] [4] and has described his own voice as having a heavy vibrato. [5] His lyrics are described as dark and witty, [12] [14] [4] [9] and he has been compared to Randy Newman in his “refreshingly mean-spirited” songs. [15] Knox has also been compared to Harry Nilsson, Scott Walker and Tom Waits. [16] [7] His musical style is eclectic, with descriptions ranging from jazz to cabaret to operatic pop, [17] and he is also noted for a cinematic style in his songs. [2] [6] His musical delivery has been described as the " Midwestern sensibility of edginess meets kindness." [12] In reference to his songwriting, Knox has been labelled a "master storyteller". [7]

Influences

Knox has cited Judy Garland, Al Jolson and Maurice Chevalier as early musical influences. [5] For his 2019 mini-album, I Had a Wonderful Time, Knox absorbed himself in Star Trek audiobooks and the music of Madonna. [18]

Discography

Albums

  • Disaster (2007)
  • Evryman for Himself (2011)
  • Daniel Knox (2015)
  • Chasescene (2018)
  • I Had a Wonderful Time (2019)
  • Won't You Take Me with You (2021)

Soundtrack

  • Half-Heart: Songs from Twin Peaks (2020)
  • You Are My Friend: The Songs of Mister Rogers (2020)

Singles

  • "Last Christmas" (2018)
  • "Die Hard" / "Die Harder" (2019)
  • "Hollow" (2019)

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Carter, Spike. "Watch the Premiere of Daniel Knox's "Don't Touch Me"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  2. ^ a b c d "Albums of the week: Daniel Knox, Van Morrison and Jacob Collier". Evening Standard. 2018-12-07. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  3. ^ a b c "Carrot Top Records | Daniel Knox". Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  4. ^ a b c "DAVID NAGLER & THE LEGISLATION". www.unionhallny.com. Retrieved 2020-09-20.[ permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Rosenberg, Tal (17 February 2015). "Daniel Knox gives our derelicts the beautiful music they deserve". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  6. ^ a b c "Daniel Knox - Chasescene - Album review". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  7. ^ a b c d "Daniel Knox: Chasescene review – a record for dark nights". the Guardian. 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  8. ^ "Local Musician Finds a Muse in Mister Rogers". WTTW News. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  9. ^ a b c "Daniel Knox". www.kennedy-center.org. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  10. ^ a b Collo-Julin, Salem (27 June 2019). "Daniel Knox writes torch songs to burn down the house on Chasescene". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  11. ^ "Daniel Knox Shares Two New Songs". Clash Magazine. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  12. ^ a b c "Daniel Knox Delivers Gritty-Beautiful Music On His New Album". The Chicagoist. Archived from the original on 2017-11-06. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  13. ^ Galil, Leor (July 2020). "Daniel Knox captures Mister Rogers's care and generosity on his new tribute album". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  14. ^ "'Won't You Be My Neighbor': Chicago's Daniel Knox Takes On The Music Of Mr. Rogers". WBEZ Chicago. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
  15. ^ "Happy Ending Music and Reading Series: Daniel Knox | in New York". Time Out New York. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  16. ^ "Nina Nastasia + Daniel Knox | Music in New York". Time Out New York. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  17. ^ "WPGM Recommends: Daniel Knox - Daniel Knox (Album Review)". WE PLUG GOOD MUSIC. 2015-03-14. Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  18. ^ Martin, Piers (January 1, 2020). "Daniel Knox: Night strolls and Star Trek with the singer/projectionist". Uncut.
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