Chris and Chantel sit down backstage at Mercury Lounge in NYC with GRANT KNOCHE on his Good Luck Getting Over Me headlining tour for an exclusive interview about his career, his songwriting credits, and his sophomore album.
From his start as one of the four Kidz Bop Kids (2013-2016) to representing Texas on NBC's American Song Contest in 2022, to writing and producing for artists like CHUU, TWICE, Victoria Justice, and ADÉLA - Grant Knoche has quietly built one of the most impressive independent pop careers in the game.
His 2025 sophomore album "GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME" landed lead single "TALK" at #5 on Stereogum's Best Pop Songs of 2025, putting him alongside major label, chart-topping artists. We talk about the new era, the album's standout tracks, his debut album "I COULD DIE JUST THINKING OF US" and what it's like writing K-pop title tracks.
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- 0:00 -Intro
- 1:50 - "GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME" Tour
- 3:30 - Kidz Bop
- 5:05 - Musical influences
- 6:16 - "Downpour", "Unfair", "Emotions" and "Color Me Blue"
- 9:30 - American Song Contest, "Icarus" and "First Hello"
- 12:50 - "I COULD DIE JUST THINKING OF US" Album
- 15:30 - Writing for other artists
- 18:23 - "GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME" Album
- 22:40 - "AUTOPILOT" and "MOVE LIKE THAT" (MOMO/TWICE)
- 24:30 - "TALK"
- 28:45 - ...then the camera overheated
References:
- “Emotions” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIBcyJlFxoA&pp=ygUVZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIGVtb3Rpb25z
- “Mr. Independent” Live on American Song Contest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8pd1Ih01A&pp=ygUcZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIG1pc3MgaWRlcGVkbmVudA%3D%3D
- “Icarus” Visualizer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q3NSVWLXS4&pp=ygUTZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIGljYXJ1cw%3D%3D
- “First Hello” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egvvh8bWV5w&pp=ygUYZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIGZpcnN0IGhlbGxv0gcJCQQLAYcqIYzv
- “INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I87M8rcGMV4&pp=ygUfZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIGludHJ1c2l2ZSB0aG91Z2h0cw%3D%3D
- ADÉLA - “SUPERSCAR” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6ey6HOkP4
- “AUTOPILOT” Live at OUTLOUD Music Festival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_kyLmJ156g&pp=ygUWZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIGF1dG9waWxvdA%3D%3D
- TWICE (MOMO) - “MOVE LIKE THAT” Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GK6sp2QI70
- “TALK” MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkjJ8ZPnoq0&pp=ygURZ3JhbnQga25vY2hlIHRhbGs%3D
00:00:00 --> 00:00:13 Ready? I'ma just turn and I'll just talk. Go. I'll talk, baby. Just let me leave. Hey. Hey, we're here. I love that. I love that. Yeah, yeah.
00:00:15 --> 00:00:39 Oh, you bounce back and forth. That was great. Thank you. Usually I end up torturing myself singing, but... Had to join in. Yeah, join in this time. Absolutely. We are CCTV, the nonstop pop show, a global pop music podcast where we deep dive into the artists and music that we love. Hello. We're so excited because we are backstage at Mercury Lounge in New York City with the most exciting independent pop artists out. Thanks. Right now, we have...
00:00:39 --> 00:01:06 grand pinocchi thank you so much i'm excited to talk to you guys yeah yes not nokie not note chay notch nokie i get a lot of different ones all the time what's the worst what's your least favorite well i think when i was younger people i don't know how they got to this but see people started calling me pinocchio grant pinocchio because it was like kinoki no key whack you know whack you gotta write a song about that i know i'm gonna turn them on a pinocchio
00:01:06 --> 00:01:35 I mean, we're like, that's the best. We love you. All right. But yes, we are super excited to meet you. Because one of our listeners, Ryan, he went to your, I think, Nashville show. OK. Loves you down. Was like, we were doing live and was like, you guys have to listen to it, Grant. Like, you have to. I love that. Like, yeah, sure. So we've been listening. And then we're like, is he going to watch? No way. Yeah. I have to buy a ticket to this show. I love that. Before we even knew we had to. I love that. Thank you.
00:01:35 --> 00:02:01 Yeah, we're pop fans. Even with Em, we interviewed Em. So it's like we try to meet artists or like not even meet them, but just listen to them. Yeah. To get to know them. I love that. And then if we meet them, then awesome. We get to talk to you and talk about your music. Yeah, that's great. And you just finished your show here in New York City. Your first headline show in New York City. It was so good. Thank you so much. It was so good. We're going to fanboy, fangirl for just a hot minute. We're both dancers. Oh, great. Great, great. And yo, you killed that.
00:02:01 --> 00:02:27 I'd be retired for a minute and that made me want to go take class. Let's go. No, seriously. Like you are so in the pocket. Grant is an elf. He lives in the pocket. This is key blur. Like I've never heard that. I like that one too. But no, seriously, you're so in the pocket. Even, even with like you being a little under the weather, the vocals were great. I was like, Oh my God, his head voice. Like, I know you're singing at that piano. I was thinking about that. Cause like I sing as well. I was worried this morning. I was like, I woke up and I was like, Ooh.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:52 oh it's not there it's not there yeah please get back to me like oh god yeah no it's totally understandable but honestly it's super exciting like being right in the middle of your good luck getting over me tour how's that feel like you're right in the middle of it it's been it's been so fun it's been really cool i think too like um i kind of talked about on stage it's like a lot of the times i write all these songs for myself and just to like
00:02:52 --> 00:03:13 like it's therapy to me and I'll go in my studio and make it and everything. And then like, I think it's really cool just to see people showing up that are also in love with the music as much as I am. And, you know, just like are singing it back to me and know all the words. Like it's, it's really cool. And I don't think, I think that's something that's important about concerts and like real life interaction is seeing that and having that connection between people because like,
00:03:13 --> 00:03:30 Someone could be listening to it, but I don't know that they're actually singing the lyrics back to me. I got to see that for myself. That's so cool. And it really, it gives that, sparks that fuel to keep going, which is really cool. That's valid. That's valid. Nice. Well, before we dive into the more recent chapter of your story, let's take it.
00:03:30 --> 00:03:47 All the way back. Okay. The Grand Kenoki story starts with the Kidz Bop site, right? So from 2013 to 2016, you were one of the four Kidz Bop kids touring arenas. You're on multiple albums, performing for huge, huge crowds. So looking back, what have you taken from that experience and how does it still show up in your work now?
00:03:47 --> 00:04:10 I think I learned a lot from it for sure. I think it was like an amazing experience because even there's little things like, like technical difficulties that might happen. And like, we'd have liners for each, it was me and three other kids. And so we'd have liners, each one of us, but like if one of their mics went out, we could pick up those liners or like if someone I've tripped on the speaker before and my mic goes all and you're like, how do you recover from things like that? So I'm,
00:04:10 --> 00:04:28 I think so much of that is taken, you know, it's amazing to have learned. I think also like being able to dance and sing at the same time, like, yeah, I learned that from such a young age and being able to figure out like where you need to breathe in songs and if you're dancing, how you do that. And it's funny because like a lot of times with –
00:04:28 --> 00:04:49 With singing, like, you know, you're supposed to have good posture and you don't want your neck to be tense. But then like, I know, like in ballet or different things like that, you want to be, you might have tension here so you can be graceful elsewhere, you know, things like that. And so it was just interesting kind of learning how to really tie the two together, you know, at such a young age. But I think I'm really grateful for it.
00:04:50 --> 00:05:04 No, for real. We definitely see it and appreciate it. I mean, Kiz Bop was a moment. You're young and having a time. And you also were part of the dance crew. Was it Boy Squad? Oh, my God. You were like... You're pulling out all the stops. We do research here at CC... I love that.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:29 But yeah, I mean, it's really impressive. Thank you. Who was Little Grant listening to at the time? You didn't mention Adele, but beyond Adele, we can totally hear it. But who else were you listening to? What influenced you? I feel like there was a lot of... My dad used to listen to Gavin DeGraw and The Fray. And emotional, heartfelt music at that time as well. And just very soulful kind of stuff there. And then also...
00:05:29 --> 00:05:55 I loved like EDM and dubstep music at one time, which I think kind of plays into like my production now, which could have like bass and, and, you know, maybe harder drums or, you know, kind of big moments, um, that are dramatic a little bit, you know? Um, and then I've always loved pop music. So I think that's kind of with my son now it's, it's tied in like the vulnerable side with lyrics, but also the EDM dubstep pop, dark pop dance. Yeah.
00:05:55 --> 00:06:12 elements as well there. So yeah, nice. Totally hear that for sure. But I would say like Lord, I love, I love Lord. I love Tavlo. Um, I love like Lau. I used to love Lau so much and listen, yeah, you still do. Um, Holly Umberstone is a big one that I love right now. She's so amazing, but, um, yeah, just a few.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:34 That's dope, man. Seriously, I can hear it. Definitely can hear it for sure. Yeah. Okay, so then in August 2017, just a year after leaving Kids Bob, you did release your debut single, Downpour. And then there was Unfair in 2018 and 2019's Emotions. You noted in another interview that that was a real turning point for you. That was the first song that you wrote and produced entirely by yourself. And you even directed and edited the music video too.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:50 I did. So that kicked off a whole run of singles into Color Me Blue. It did. So talk us through these early years of you just finding yourself as an artist. Yeah. I think it was exciting, but also frustrating and weird at the same time. I think coming out of Kidz Bop, like...
00:06:50 --> 00:07:11 being 14 and have being I've done all this stuff with kids bop like I came out right away and I was like I want to be a solo artist I want to be taking you know be mature and also it's like people still see you as a 14 year old you know and so it was some time taken to like figure out what that sound was going to be and you know how to craft that I remember my manager at the time
00:07:11 --> 00:07:37 He had, you know, had some demos from other producers and stuff that I had recorded, but some of them were about like getting cheated on or like being in relationships. And I was like, I'm 14. Like, I don't know. I've never been through any of this. Yeah. And so, you know, I wrote Downpour. Someone else produced that one. And I think I remember like even in Kidz Bop and, you know, for a few of those first singles, you know, just sitting over their shoulder and watching everything they were doing. And then for some, you know, producers that I would work with,
00:07:37 --> 00:07:58 I think I started getting confident in my production that I was like, can you like do this, this, and this, and this, and then it would sound right. And I was like, I want to do it. So I would go home and I would start like creating what I really wanted at the end of the day. Um, and so I remember with like unfair, I, I made like the demo at home and then I brought it to another producer. We co-produced that together. And then emotions is the first one that I was like, um,
00:07:58 --> 00:08:09 I think at the time, maybe my manager or someone was just like, you just need to get music out. And I was like, fine. But I went home and I ended up doing emotions. And so it just came out from there, you know?
00:08:13 --> 00:08:34 but when you listen to those songs again now, what do you think? Are you like, Oh, I would do this so differently now. Or do you actually have one to maybe recreate them? Um, I think it's funny. I'll listen back to emotions and there's some things in it that I'm like, Oh, Hey, this was actually really cool. Like this was good job. A little great. Like it was cool. But, um, I definitely think over the years, like I've,
00:08:34 --> 00:08:56 I've learned so much in like, even like mixing and like how to make a pop song and like where things could like, you know, fluctuate and have dynamics and different things in it. Um, and so, I mean, I'm sure if I went back through and had the session in front of me, there's a bunch of stuff I'd probably change and work on. Um, but I mean, I'm so proud of little grant for doing that. Like, you know, it was really cool to have that.
00:08:56 --> 00:09:14 you know, that rise to it. And I'm sure if I, if I pulled up the first songs that I ever worked on, they were so bad, like so bad. So, um, yeah, I wouldn't change it because it's got me here. So yeah. Nice felt majorly felt there's some songs. I'm like, girl, Oh yeah.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:29 It wouldn't change because the, you know, the growth, but then it wouldn't feel great if you were like amazing from day one, you know, it was like, there's no growth there. Like it's good to have that growth. Satisfaction by Grant next song up. But typing it down.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:50 But yeah, so, and then in 2022, it hit. And that was a wild year for you. You mentioned on stage, you had like a breakthrough moment, but you had three. Not just that you were on NBC's American Song Contest, representing Texas on, which is crazy. Mr. Independent. Thanks. Child. He was a child. Yeah.
00:09:51 --> 00:10:21 It's really impressive being on stage by yourself. I think your brother was paying the drums for you, right? Yeah, he was. So it's like, it's a lot going on. And then you finish fourth place out of 56 contestants. You release Icarus. And then first hello went viral with 80 million views. Like, talk us through that crazy year. Yeah. It is crazy when you put it all into, like, a little blurb like that, for sure. Mr. Independent No, I can't leave my door wide open I wanna fly to the most of the sun I'm gonna fly to the most of the sun
00:10:28 --> 00:10:47 Man, I think it was amazing. I think the American Song Contest thing was just an incredible experience as well. I think there's a lot of other shows that might... Like American Idol or The Voice or different things that are more competition-based, where it pits singers against each other. But the cool thing with the American Song Contest is...
00:10:47 --> 00:11:12 it was really like we all became great friends and it was just states voting. So it was like, you're going to do what you do. And you go out there and like, if you get voted out one week or you are on the next week, it's like, it's not up to us, you know, or judges that are, you know, judging you. So it was really amazing. And I thought like even getting to, I had so much creative control on what the stage is going to look like and, and what we were going to do each week, which was amazing. And it was really like,
00:11:12 --> 00:11:39 wow, this is what I want to do on a big arena headline tour. You know, it was like, wow, I get to show this and do that. You know, it was so cool. And then obviously, too, I think like coming off of that, I think, you know, coming off a big TV show like that, you're like, all right, what do I do next? Like, how's this going to work? You know, and so put out Icarus and, you know, there's just great reaction to that. And then I think First Hello, too, is something that it's like, you know, that was my own story that I, you know, had.
00:11:39 --> 00:12:01 for so long. And then I was like, finally ready to release that and put it out. Um, and so I think that also was a turning point because like, even my, in my own writing and stuff, I know like in color me blue, like some of the writing is inspired by maybe like my family's relationships or friends relationships or TVs, movies, books, blah, blah, blah. But
00:12:01 --> 00:12:24 when that song came out, it kind of showed me that I was like, when people connected, connected with it so much, um, and I had, you know, so many messages of people saying like, this saved my life. And I came out with this song to my parents and stuff like that. It really touched me. And I was like, wow, that means like I can connect with people, you know, rather than just a song and just putting out something in the world. And so I think from there on out, it was like,
00:12:24 --> 00:12:47 trying to dig within myself to be more vulnerable and raw and like show that, but also still have cool beats along with it, you know, and kind of have things like that, that I can dance to and still have, you know, great moments. But yeah, I think it was a great little turning point to set up for the next stuff. Yeah. That's awesome. I think it is hard to sit there and say something poignant and also be like, I'm not trying to write a hit, but it'd be nice if people really liked this.
00:12:47 --> 00:13:14 Please, but also, I hope you like it and feel for it. Right. So I kid it, I totally get that. Yeah, yeah. Awesome. Well, that brings us to October 2023, and that was I Could Die Just Thinking of Us. Yeah. And you talked openly about some of the writer's block that you hit after your first heartbreak and how these tracks kind of came out of that. Yeah. So tell us more about that whole project. First off, I love Intrusive Thoughts. Thank you. And that version that you did today. Yo, my jaw. I think I looked at you and I said, what? Oh my gosh.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:31 I need to dance now. Anyway, going back to that project, any kind of highlight memories? What do you think about when you think about it? Yeah, um... I think...
00:13:31 --> 00:13:52 I think when I was writing it, I didn't know I was making like a big EP slash album kind of thing at the time. It was just like writing and everything I was going through and feeling was just coming out of me, you know? So it was so cool to kind of like see it all come together. And then, you know, once we kind of came up with that title for I Could Die, Just Thinking of Us and then like the lightning folder and everything like –
00:13:52 --> 00:14:22 I think visuals, I love, I love visuals. And like, even when I'm making music, like I instantly start thinking of stuff. And so I was like, how do we find something that just encapsulates the whole, you know, the whole project into one. Um, and that photo really hit for me. And so it was just really cool kind of seeing it all come together, um, and giving it time to let it come out of me and like, you know, write the music and stuff and also like find new fans throughout it, you know? So, um, I think all of those just such a really cool journey to go along on.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:50 Yeah, for sure. I definitely see the visuals. We were watching the videos and even dancing in almost all of them. Yeah. Or just at least moving in a way that just looks super organic, good on camera. Even when you were a little bit younger, I was like, oh, you're going to go on. Because most of us don't really film ourselves when we're young. Like, you were like, keep your best in trying to get the moves. My dad would have the camera out and he's doing stuff. And he has like a little segue that he would go on the segue and go around on his. Yeah. And I'd edit the stuff and release it. So, yeah. That's cool.
00:14:50 --> 00:15:10 I used to perform Spice Girls for my dad. Really? But we didn't have cameras back then, really. He would just sit and watch me. Yeah. He's like, nice. Love it. Neither one of my parents are tech savvy and they're ancient, so yeah, they still don't know. I'm always like, just hold the camera. Is the red light beaming?
00:15:11 --> 00:15:30 So that's usually our issue. But yeah, so while you're building up on Grant Kenoki, the artist, your name is also showing up on credits for some of the biggest pop acts in the world. Victoria Justice, Adela, Chew, Twice. We listen to K-pop. We talk about pop in general. Eurovision is like one of our...
00:15:31 --> 00:15:56 highly rated and yeah our most watched episode last year was all about eurovisions really so we always talk about pop but you are literally writing global like global artists so what is that like that feeling of like writing for other people and making sure you keep that difference of um you know writing for them and making sure it doesn't sound like you just giving your song away yeah and then also how did you get into that yeah um
00:15:56 --> 00:16:14 I think it's funny because when I write for other people, I think it's so therapeutic because it's something completely different from my stuff. And it's not really up to me how it... I mean, I can add my flair on things in it, but I want to make sure that they love the song at the end of the day. But there's also a side to me too where I'm like, there's so many...
00:16:14 --> 00:16:29 like songwriters or producers that like I would, I strive to be like to where you can hear their work and you know, it's them. Like, I feel like when I hear a song, I'll be like, like there's so many songs. I've been like, I think Ed Sheeran wrote this and you go look and Ed Sheeran wrote it or, you know, or like,
00:16:29 --> 00:16:55 Timbaland made this or Julia Michaels made this or Justin Traynor made like, there's so many ones that they have this like little sauce or unique thing in there, you know? So I try to stay true to like what I like at the same time, but also be like, how do you like this song? And like heater to the artists as well. Cause I didn't want them to love it so much, you know? Um, but yeah, I got into it like around 2022 or 2020, maybe. I don't know in that area. Um,
00:16:55 --> 00:17:11 And my manager at the time managed another artist named Taylor Bono. And this is my first person I'd produced for. And I was like, I want to try it out and see how it goes. And she came in and, you know, she was just getting over a super long-term breakup and everything. And so it was a cool experience because it was almost...
00:17:11 --> 00:17:40 like a therapy session in the beginning. And then we just like let our walls down and wrote this beautiful song that it, it did really well after that. And like, we now write so many songs together. We did a first hello together. We did please hurry together. Good luck getting over to me. I miss your love. Like so many off of my stuff that I just, I really love her so much. So it's like, it's a cool thing to get to work for other people because you just, you're learning at the end of the day from them and, you know, getting in other rooms and stuff. So yeah.
00:17:40 --> 00:17:58 For sure. I can definitely hear, I think with Super Scar, like after now listening to your Khaled, especially now in your, in your darker era, um, you can hear those. You have, yeah, it's very distinct. It doesn't sound like you're copying, but it does. You can hear some influences. Like I was telling him, I'm like, I'm getting, why am I getting blackout? I'm hearing like, yeah. Yeah. So dude,
00:17:58 --> 00:18:16 Super awesome. Thanks. Thanks. And it's, I did like a little breakdown video, super scar, like showing how I made it recently. And it was cool. Cause people in the comments were like, Oh my gosh, I so hear your style in it. And this so makes sense. And I was like, that's really cool to hear like that. It kind of goes, you know, you can hear that through the song, which is nice, but yeah.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:37 Now we're at your latest project, the album, Good Luck Getting Over Me. Hey. Hey. And it dropped in October, 2025. And this changed the conversation about you from crying in the club to shutting it down. Okay?
00:18:37 --> 00:18:53 The title alone is doing so much work. Even the cover is like a serious ship. You think about I Could Just Die. It's giving Poseidon energy, like the water, the lightning. But good luck is Apollo and his chariot. What is the inspiration? I love that.
00:18:53 --> 00:19:13 listen you said icarus i'm like hang on do we have a little greek mythology like that literally was going to do instead of i could i was thinking of us i was going to do a greek mythology themed like ep kind of thing it's always been my favorite and i want to do it in the future so you're on to something i just went to rome like last month too and it was amazing so i'm like super inspired by that yo
00:19:13 --> 00:19:30 I can already imagine the visuals. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Visuals are on point, but yeah, I like that. You said that Apollo straight. That's really cool. Like, yeah, it makes sense of that. That's cool. And also a God of music son. You definitely go. You're on fire right now. So what inspired the title? Hmm.
00:19:30 --> 00:19:46 Um, what inspired the visual? Cause it's like I said, it's completely different. It's black. It's, it's maybe some whites because of what you're wearing, but it's black and red, not blue, not purple. Yeah. Yeah. Not soft. Yeah. Heartbroken. Yeah. Um, for this, um,
00:19:46 --> 00:20:09 album i really want like blue it's like my dog's name is blue my car is blue everything in my room is blue my favorite color is blue um and so that's the album like a die is thinking of us is blue um and so i know that i wanted to like switch it up and you know do something completely different which would have been red so we were like okay let's switch it to red um i could or uh good
00:20:09 --> 00:20:28 It was one of the songs that I'd had that I was like, I honestly, I wrote it with Taylor. And for some reason, when we go to work on something, we're trying to get something done. And we end up writing four ideas in the same day. And so we started doing something where we're like, okay, I'm going to set a 30-minute timer. And that's all we have to work on this. And we got to go back to what we're working on.
00:20:28 --> 00:20:53 And Good Luck Getting Over Me, the song, was one of those. And so I just started making it. And then after some time sitting on it, I found it in my files again. And I was like, this is really cool. And we put it in the playlist of everything. And that title just stuck out. And it kind of fit all the songs. And I wanted this album to be very dance heavy, very confident, very new era of yourself and finding your fresh skin, who you are kind of thing.
00:20:53 --> 00:21:20 And so, um, that title out of all of them just really stuck out the most, I think, and really, you know, showed what the project was in that one word or title. But, um, then for the visuals, I do all the visuals with my manager. Um, it seems Devin. And so he's been a photographer for so long and did editorials and stuff. And so like for the, I could, I just thinking of us saying he shot it and then I edited the whole, you know, cover and stuff. And so we were like, all right, how do we,
00:21:20 --> 00:21:36 one up this next one. And how do we do something really cool that draws people to the album by just looking at it? And so we were like, uh, my dad and I, my brother used to ride dirt bikes when I was younger and stuff. And so that wheelie kind of photo, almost like when the camera is coming, um,
00:21:36 --> 00:22:00 When it's looking, it's a down angle looking up and I'm looking down and you, it kind of gives this grand, you know, vibe to it. And so that's what we really wanted to go for with the title and everything, you know, fitting that. So just gave the confidence that we were looking for in it. Come on, powerful. And it's cool because it inspired somewhat like this outfit. Like this is a designer's name is Michael. No. And look, he just.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:28 So, Michael, yeah, I'd notice on the stage. Yeah, this is made all this. And so, like, you know, the motor theme kind of. Yeah. Motopapi. It's OK. It works. No one else is doing it, period. Yeah. Like a lot of us have to look on YouTube or K-pop to even see a pop boy giving us like this really cool, sleek style. So, yeah. And it annoys me because I'm like, I love there's so many like pop girlies out there and I love them all. But then I'm also like, there's no male pop. It's you.
00:22:28 --> 00:22:53 it's it's yeah what do you mean there's no he's well no key yeah but no it's it's there's that lane that's wide open so i'm like we're gonna ride it yeah yeah we do have to talk about autopilot yeah what's the first kind of look at this project you released in february 2025
00:22:53 --> 00:23:18 So why that track kick off this era? You've opened the show with it. Yeah, yeah. Actually, Autopilot wasn't going to be the first track at all. It was never even a thought when I was thinking of a first track because I made this other song called Move. And so that was going to be the first single. And so I had literally came up with the music video treatments, like this release strategy, everything we want to do for it. We're so excited about it.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:35 And then one of the other producers that worked on it with me and the writer, he, they both called me and they're like, Hey, so twice really likes this song and they want to release it. And I was like, well, they're going to release it. They're going to take it from me. Yup. That's what's going to happen. And so I was like,
00:23:35 --> 00:24:01 but i heard it first because i was like this i have everything put on this one song and then you know i was just like you know what that's like such an amazing opportunity and like that's so cool for them to release it and like even after they released it i remember seeing like video i didn't get to see it in person but like videos them performing it at the kia forum and like i saw just like you saw it i went twice oh you did i went twice man yeah yeah yeah everyone loves the i think mobile performs it solo shuts it down the whole year everyone's like i
00:24:01 --> 00:24:05 I'm like, oh, yep. That's so fun. Yeah.
00:24:09 --> 00:24:38 So they released it, it was called Move Like That when they released it. But then I remember I was going into the studio that week and I was like, all right, like I gotta figure out a new single in a week. Like, what am I going to do? And so we wrote Autopilot that day and I was like, yep, this is the one. This is what I'm going to do. So nice. Yeah. Vocal fry in that. Yeah. I love that. Thank you. Cool stylistic choice. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. And we noticed, we noticed. All right. And then talk the song that I terribly sang earlier.
00:24:47 --> 00:25:04 So at the end of 2025, Stereo Gum named Talk as number five best pop songs of the year, which is awesome. Really cool. Yeah. Look at you on charts and stuff. Yeah. I was like, what? You deserve it. You deserve it. And then you're welcome. And then sitting alongside major label charting top,
00:25:04 --> 00:25:19 topping records. So that's awesome. As an independent artist who self-produced this album, this song is an absolute hit. CCTV certified for sure. And it does deserve all the attention it's gotten and more. We love the video you put together. And can you just...
00:25:19 --> 00:25:42 Let us know the full story. Cause we did see a clip of you like making the song, but what was the full process behind the Sonics and the visuals? Yeah. Yeah. Um, this is going to sound weird, but like I wanted for the album, I think at the time when I wrote it, I know like, I don't know. A lot of the, the songs are like very sexual and have like this, this Sonic vibe to them. Um,
00:25:42 --> 00:26:08 And I wanted a song that gave more of that, you know, and I was like, that was just really cool and a great energy to it. That wasn't necessarily like, this is a pop song, but like, was just like a cool vibe energy. And so we went in that day and started, you know, came up with that beat and everything. And it kind of just flowed out as well, you know? And so I remember I wrote it with Liam Bennion and then Lily Hormel, which are two great friends of mine. And I did a super star with Liam as well.
00:26:08 --> 00:26:29 and stuff. So we just worked so well together and same with Lily. Um, and so, yeah, I don't know. I just, I remember looping it on, on replay like all night long and I was so excited about it, you know, and it just felt like something really special and different, you know? Um, and then it felt like a party and a song. So I was like, this has got to come out for sure.
00:26:29 --> 00:26:46 Nice. The video is so fun because there's so many people to watch. And it's just like constantly changing. And it's so much good replay value. Yeah. You're constantly just like, wait, what are they doing back there? Like, why is he suddenly in this hospital? What is happening? No, that's what I want. A lot. And all of them are my friends that are...
00:26:46 --> 00:27:10 And I told them there's it's funny one of my two my friends Mar and Tyus they were like kind of on the I think you're watching that on the right side. And there's one part where they have like a big cabbage and like she shoves it in his mouth and he's like eating the cabbage. And it was just like random stuff like that. So it was fun to watch and even I edited that video too. And so like going back and watching all the little clips it was hilarious. It was really funny.
00:27:10 --> 00:27:36 that dance routine too though we need a dance video man that dance routine you killed that i was learning it while you were yeah did you see that and we were like yeah right yeah yeah we were yeah that's i was thinking i was like i feel like that could be a fun one to bring people on stage for do something like that they learned it or like you know it's a part of it you've done a challenge before like years ago right so do it again what are you doing yeah rob your older self you got it we already went half of it yeah
00:27:36 --> 00:27:46 Can y'all do a video to it if I post a tutorial? Heck yeah. Yeah? Oh, yeah. We got it. We've done it. We just did pussycat dolls. Yeah, we did. Okay, right. Love it. Love it. All look out for it. I love it. We both.
00:27:48 --> 00:28:17 We're not pulling your leg. Yes. Oh, man. Okay, so let's get a bit more into the album, because there are some amazing tracks. Like, we've been just listening to this nonstop for the past two weeks, because we knew we were doing this. And we were just like, oh, my God, woohoo. Oh, my God, friction. Like, we were just like, dang, this is so good. I just have to say, woohoo, those metallic drums, and then kind of the way you did the octave with, like, their falsetto and everything. It's so cool. The strings, I could go on. But what are some of your favorites on the album? Like, if someone was brand new to you, and you could only give them, like, a couple tracks...
00:28:17 --> 00:28:45 Oh, it's how I, how would you, they're all my children. And I'm like, how do I pick one? Uh, man, I re I really do love woohoo a lot. I think it's, it's a really cool song to me. And I think too, like, I love, love, love 20 on pilots. And so I feel like I was like inspired by them a lot on that song. Um, and I actually, that one, I found it like, like, went like during Christmas break one year, um, yeah.
00:28:45 --> 00:28:56 I think I'd made the song like two years prior to finding it. This is now. Okay. Like a year ago, I made it two years before that.
00:28:57 --> 00:29:25 So we were in a really hot dressing room and the camera overheated. Yeah. So unfortunately, that is the end of our interview with Grant Kanoki. Yes. But that means Grant gets to come back on our show in our studio. That's right. But yeah, y'all, it was hot in that. It was so hot. We want to say another huge thank you to Devin, the manager. Yes. Grant, who also was amazing for doing that interview after his show as well. So...
00:29:25 --> 00:29:48 That was a great interview. Yeah, I'm sorry. So luckily we only lost like a couple minutes. True. So again, you're not missing out on much guys, but you are missing out. So let's get Graham back on the show for another time. And also make sure you stream his music everywhere. The music is absolutely amazing. And also support independent artists that's buying the merch, buying the vials, buy anything that you possibly can. Of course, stream, but definitely if you can,
00:29:49 --> 00:30:16 buy something. All right. Cause it definitely helps because this is the Kenoki family's money. But, but all jokes aside though, but this is like a labor of love and he loves his fans a lot. So that's what got cut out. Mostly it's just us talking about things like that, the hardships and the things that we love about music. So yes. And just more fanboy and fangirling because Grant is super talented. So yes. Thank you, Grant. And hopefully we're going to have you back on the show in the studio. Bye.