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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]

Daniel Knox
Born	(1980-09-22) September 22, 1980 (age 41) Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	2007-present
Labels	Carrot Top, H.P. Johnson Presents
Website	danielknox.com

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

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