Erica Knox
Photo credit: Nathan Riddell
I go through my emails and all these submissions every day and I am always hoping to hear something that immediately catches my attention. Erica Knox' new single “Running Inside of My Brain” had that instant effect on me. First of all, the production is huge (shout out Tal Vaisman). Second, Knox has powerful and amazing vocals. Third, she is a promising songwriter.
“Running Inside of My Brain” is a great pop record that deserves a lot more of attention. I really can’t wait to hear more music from her. But for now, please make sure to stream her new single and make sure to support her :)
Thank you so much Erica for this interview ! :)
Photo credit: Nathan Riddell
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
I’m Erica, I’m 24 and I’m from Georgetown, ON, a small town outside of Toronto! I’m an Indie Pop artist, I went to college for Independent Music Production, and I’m hoping to do music full time before the end of the year.
When did you start writing songs? What made you want to write in the first place?
I’ve always been a fan of Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, and growing up with seeing their success blossom from their own experiences and stories really inspired me, which made me start writing at 13, but I couldn’t really grasp it until I was 16. I landed a spot opening in a local music festival for a great Toronto band ‘Hollerado’, and they said if I want to get somewhere in music, I have to write my own songs. And I’ve been writing ever since.
When did you realize you could sing?
My parents always told me that I could sing before I could walk, and they’d film me when I was a baby humming and singing in my crib. They eventually enrolled me in a children’s choir, which turned into singing at school. This was probably from age 8, and I just continued on from there. I guess I never had an eye opening moment because it’s something that’s always been in me.
At what point did you know you had to become an artist and release your original music?
It’s been my main goal in life since I was a kid, to successfully tour and release music I’ve written. I got a guitar for Christmas when I was 9 or 10, and began taking lessons with my sister. We learned everything from ‘Stairway to Heaven’ to ‘Teardrops on My Guitar’, so it definitely became a tool to help my voice come out even more. From there, I went on to sing covers in my room every night after school for 4hrs, and eventually dive into songwriting. For a few years, I didn’t really know how to make music happen, but I enrolled in a music production program at Seneca college and definitely knew from there that this was the environment I could see myself in, and I’ve just been writing and working to make it happen.
How would you define Erica Knox, the artist?
Intimate storyteller creating a pop fusion between fresh and classic.
"Running Inside of My Brain" is your new single. What made you want to release this song as the first single of 2021?
I have a lot of songs that have yet to be recorded, or released, and my producer, Tal Vaisman, stated that this song was a great ‘in between’ to move forward with, as it sits within my more heavily influenced pop songs AND my very stripped down folk influenced songs. We’re creating a realm between the two where I can release some very organic songs alongside synths and the occasional trap beat.
What's the story/inspiration behind this single?
I wrote this after a breakup, months later, when I thought I had moved on, but something reminded me of them and it brought back all those memories and emotions. Even though I knew we weren’t right together, I still reminisced on what could have happened if something had played out differently. Sometimes you have to just surrender to those feelings until you’ve fully healed.
Could you describe the songwriting/production behind this single? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
I wrote this song in my bedroom in 2019, and kept it in the archive for a while until I was introduced to Tal, who was the production mastermind behind this song. We started working on it in September of 2020, and it was finished after only a few sessions. Tal’s got an amazing ear for things, and his inclination towards experimenting with sound is amazing to watch. He knows where to place things, and he knows what’s missing/what’s too much in a production. So, he made the process very simple, and I’m super lucky to be working with such a talented guy.
What did you feel when writing this song?
Defeat. I had been trying so hard to get over this person, and the tiniest interaction made everything reappear. I think I was just tired of feeling so strongly for someone who had hurt me so much, knowing everything I had gone through to try making it work, but it just wasn’t enough. Writing this song forced me to confront these emotions I had been trying to suppress.
What's your favorite thing about this song?
My favourite thing about this song is that it’s universally relatable. I think most people have had the sleepless nights and constant overthinking from a relationship or a breakup. I just hope that it resonates with someone, and it helps them confront their feelings, and help put those feelings to rest.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The photo was taken by my very good friend Nathan Riddell on a kitchen floor of an 1800s Century home in Simcoe, ON, and the artwork was done by Rhea Alberastine. Both Toronto based creators, and very talented individuals. I love this cover, it definitely emulates the song.
What is your goal for this song?
I’d love for it to reach 50,000 streams online. I have more content coming for this song, so I’m excited to dive deeper into it and create a bigger vision around it.
As an artist, what are your biggest struggles?
The struggles seem endless sometimes. There are so many talented people out there releasing music, that you question if you’re ever gonna be good enough to live in that realm with them. You can be working so hard behind the scenes and get no outcome from it. There are a lot of things that make being an artist difficult, but I believe that if you meet the right people and you get your foot in the right door, it’s all up from there.
What do you think of today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
The females in this industry can be doing the exact same thing as their male coworkers, or more, and get zero recognition for it. The sexist questions and judgement towards female artists need to change.
What do you want to accomplish professionally and personally?
Professionally - to create the art I love and have it resonate with people. A long and successful career doing what I love doing the most. Personally - to push myself even when I’m scared, and to live happily with the people I love.
What biggest life lessons have you learned in 2020?
Not to take things for granted - people, health, relationships, friendships, happiness. It can all be gone in a split second.
What are your goals for 2021?
To release more music, leave things behind that no longer serve purpose in my life, and become the best version of myself.
What message do you want to deliver to the world?
Keep fighting for what you believe in and what’s right.
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