INTERVIEW: Kevin Knapp

Related Articles

12 Seductive and Obsession-Fueled Dramas to Watch (and Listen To)

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

I Start a New Job in a Month. These Are the Best Books on Public Speaking I Read to Get There.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Lydie Denier Launches Bold New Self‑Help Book Empowering Women — and Anyone Ready to Reclaim Their Power

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

There are few DJs who have as much passion and dedication to this industry as Kevin Knapp. He’s a constant pioneer of the sounds crowds yearn for through his own individual production style and his proclivity for vocal contributions.

His stand out vocals first turned heads back in 2012 proclaiming “My Beat Will Control You” with Audiojack and his first Hot Creations cut ”The Drums” alongside A&R head Richy Ahmed in 2013 is still owning dance floors to this day. More recently his track “Drug Birds” on Sola was heavily supported by UK mainstays Hannah Wants and Huxleym while “Your Mind” with Shiba San was released with Repopulate Mars and swept across dancefloors. Kevin has now taken every opportunity to continue his craft, leading him from San Francisco to the capital of Techno: Berlin.

With new material and a new episode of his groundbreaking Beats N Eats film series just around the corner, we caught up with Kevin for a quick chat.

Hi Kevin, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Really well thanks!  How are you? I’ve just come off a birthday week of entirely too much fun, followed by an abrupt week of sickness that’s got me on Penicillin.  I bounced back quickly though, just in time for a show with Hannah Wants & Sam Divine last weekend in Hannah’s hometown of Birmingham.  All and all things are pretty good!

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Dig This”?

Yeah, it’s just a low slung, playful groover really. It’s always tricky to achieve that balance of punchy and interesting while keeping things simple enough to give the dance floor something to grab onto.  This, fortunately, is one of those instances where it seems I got it right 😉

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

Not an event really but more my relationship with Claude VonStroke and his label Dirtybird.  I’ve known Claude for about 15 years now, and since we both sort of came into being in San Francisco it’s always special when I get a chance to see him or put a record out on the label.  I’ve been in the studio a bunch this winter and when I played in San Francisco on New Years Day, I saw Claude and told him I was focused on putting my first solo track (my other appearances previously have been collabs) out with them. Two months later and here we are.

Any plans to release a video for the single?

Not at the moment.  We actually just finished the shoot for a video for another one of my records last weekend in Denver. It’s called Cute Ft. Baby Luck.  As I cannot physically be in two places at once, the vocalist from the record, Baby Luck & my fiancé Hutchtastic spent the weekend in Denver shooting.  It looks amazing so be on the lookout for that.  We shot that a couple of months after the record was already released, so you never know, maybe we’ll do one for Dig This too!

How were the recording and writing process?

It was one of those records that just kind of wrote itself.   It’s interesting how the ones that come together quickly are often the stronger ones.  I started as I usually do with a solid kick and bassline.  I added the hats and a few more elements until I got a groove my ears never tired of, and then I went into arrangement hoping not to lose inspiration.  I always say the arrangement is where dope ideas go to die. haha So anytime that doesn’t happen it’s a good day.  I write mostly in the box so this was written that way as well.  I just got a Moog Grandmother though, so things are definitely changing.

Do you tend to take a different approach when you’re collaborating with someone else rather than working on your own?

Actually, my approach is the same.  I love the idea phase of writing, so when I can I always like to go first if I’m collaborating with someone.  I start by getting a really dope palette of colors and a few brush strokes down figuratively speaking (usually a two-bar loop with a couple of lead synth ideas), and then send it to my co-collaborator to put their touches on it.  When I’m working on my own projects, the special and finishing touches are mine, so not there’s not too much of a difference I guess.  When it comes to doing vocal work, I like to work off a little beat loop from whomever I’m working with or one I’ve created as a backing track. It just makes the marriage of the lyrical content and music a bit more cohesive.

How would you say your side work as the Beat N Eats film series actually influences and helps you with your own work as a DJ?

That’s a great question.  I don’t know how much it helps with my DJ work but it’s certainly unique and I feel like it helps to unify my creative spirit.  Food and music are both things I’m super passionate about and getting the opportunity to break bread with others who share those passions is inspiring for me.  I’m always amazed at the percentage of folks in the industry that are inspired by, and have a fairly sophisticated relationship with food.  It’s a special thing.  I think the bottom line is I stay continually inspired by pushing the creative envelope and it’s something I’ll continue to do for the rest of my life I suspect, in both mediums.

Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?

I have a boatload of tracks I’ve written and am currently shopping.  I have a couple of remixes coming out over the next couple of months.  I’ve got one on March 27th that my SF homie Keith Kraft and I did of Andre Salmon and Steven Joint’s “Friki” on Sagmen.  I then have another remix of The Glitz cut called Woman ft. Fadila coming out on KaterMukke on May 8.  There is also a major collab in the works that I can’t believe is happening.  It looks like that collaboration is set to do a whole EP as well, but you’ll have to stay tuned for more info on that.

What else is happening next in Kevin Knapp’s world?

More studio, more good food, beats to be shared for those that are down to kick it.  I can’t wait!