What does a KIDZ BOP singer do after they leave KIDZ BOP universe? For GRANT KNOCHE, the path has been a steady climb in the world of pop music. He recently released his third album GOOD LUCK GETTING OVER ME in October, and he just finished his first headline solo tour.
Outside of his own music, GRANT KNOCHE has written and produced tracks for other artists, including Christina Aguilera and Victoria Justice. He’s still dedicated to dancing, and he continues to grow as a songwriter.
We talked to the 22-year-old in Los Angeles about his latest music and growing up as part of a cultural phenomenon.
Congrats on the new album! How would you describe the recording process?
Thank you so much!! This project has taken a little over two years to create, and it’s been both a challenge and amazing at the same time. I really wanted to push myself to step outside any lines I previously had myself in, and I feel like I really did! I’m super in love with this project.
Do you have a favorite track from the album?
This is always one of the hardest questions because they’re all my babies! Every song has been given so much time and love. But I’d have to say one of my favorites is definitely “AUTOPILOT!” It has such a fun groove and bounce to it and keeps you on your toes as a listener. Close runner ups are “WOOHOO” and “I MISS YOUR LOVE.”
How have things changed in the studio since recording your debut EP in 2020?
Well, since 2020 I moved out and now have my own space and a new recording studio! It’s been such a dream to create my studio and creative space exactly the way I want. Another big change is that I’m a lot more confident in my production and songwriting abilities. I definitely know what I like and don’t like, what I want and don’t want. There’s a new level of comfortability that I’m loving.
Are your songs about real relationships, or do you prefer to keep things fictional?
I’d say overall, my songs are definitely about or inspired by real relationships. I feel deeply, and I always want to try to recreate those feelings I’ve felt through my music.
You work with other big artists in addition to your solo music. How do you approach a song you’re making for another artist vs. a song you’re making for yourself?
A huge thing is listening! For my own music, I’m the driver for what I want. But when it comes to working with other artists, I have to take that hat off. Honestly, it can be so fun and refreshing. I get to help them craft the feelings and music they’ve been wanting to let pour out of them. It really allows me to step away from my own sound and experiment in a totally different vibe, which I learn so much from.
What was your experience working with Christina Aguilera on “Diamonds” for her Las Vegas residency?
Seeing my work for Christina Aguilera live on stage in Vegas was so surreal!! Hearing her incredible voice singing a track I produced was such a cool moment.
Have you always wanted to produce, or is it something you got into over the years?
I actually started producing at age 11 while I was in KIDZ BOP. At that time, I was in and out of recording studios nonstop and was always so enamored watching the producers create and put everything together. I begged my parents for months for a MacBook Pro for my birthday, and the second I got it, I jumped right into learning to producing and experimenting with it. Listening back now, it’s hilarious how bad those early tracks were, but they led me to where I am today. I couldn’t be more proud of little GRANT for going for it.
Is there anything you learned from your KIDZ BOP days that helped with your adult career?
One hundred percent. KIDZ BOP was such a great experience for me and taught me so much, like how to interact with a live audience, how to talk to them, interviews and media training, how to record in a studio, how to shoot music videos, how to tour on the road, and so much more. The list goes on, and I’m so grateful for everything I learned. I came out of KIDZ BOP knowing this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
Finally, one for the OG fans. What was your favorite KIDZ BOP song you performed on?
Haha okay we’re taking it back. Hmm… I’d have to say “Uptown Funk” was one of my favorites. That song is so fun to perform, and we actually filmed the music video at my old childhood house in Texas.
