The Knocks

The Knocks are a New York electronic music duo made up of James Patterson and Ben Ruttner. Active since 2007, they work across dance, electronic, electropop and street punk, and are known for a sound that mixes elements of soul, funk, disco, rap and pop.

Early years

Patterson and Ruttner meet at The New School in New York City and live together while setting up small recording studios in their bedrooms. The name comes from the neighbours who repeatedly knock on their door because of the noise from their apartment. Early remix work helps them build their own studio in Manhattan.

In the late 2000s they release remixes for artists including Katy Perry, Britney Spears and PRGz. B-Roc and Andrew W.K. also release DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, which includes several Knocks productions.

Singles, EPs and debut album

The duo’s first singles arrive in 2010 with “Dancing with the DJ” and “Make It Better”. “Dancing with the DJ” later appears on their 2011 EP Magic, which is one of the releases that helps establish their name. They also release remixes for Tegan and Sara, the 1975 and Dragonette, and tour with Ellie Goulding, Dragonette and Sleigh Bells.

In 2012 they work with Fred Falke on “Geronimo” for Kitsuné Music, and in 2014 they collaborate with Treasure Fingers on “DYWT” for Fool’s Gold Clubhouse. That year they also release the EP Comfortable on Neon Gold, with collaborations from X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot. Signed to Big Beat, they issue “Classic” in 2014, featuring Powers. A later version of the song includes a verse from Fetty Wap, and it is followed by the EP So Classic in 2015.

Their debut album 55 appears in 2016. It includes guest appearances from Cam’ron, Carly Rae Jepsen, Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Alex Newell and Justin Trantor of Semi-Precious Weapons. Before the album, they preview it with “I Wish (My Taylor Swift)” featuring Matthew Koma and “New York City” featuring Cam’ron. They later issue 55.5, an EP of remixes from the album.

Collaborations and later releases

In 2017 they release the EP Testify, with collaborations from MNEK, Delacey and Tayla Parx. That year they also release a future funk mixtape as Amelia Airhorn with Skylar Spence. Another side project, the Mary Nixons, brings together the duo with Mat Zo, and they release the single “Adrian”. They also work with Captain Cuts on “House Party”.

In 2018 they release “Shades”, which later appears on their second album, New York Narcotic. The album also features Method Man, Sofi Tukker and Foster the People. In 2019 they release singles including “Awa Ni” with Kah-Lo and “Lucky Me” with Great Good Fine Ok, with many of these tracks later collected on Summer Series: 2019.

During 2020 they release “One Fine Day” with Idris Elba, “Bodies” with MUNA and “All About You” featuring Foster the People. In 2021 they put out Melody & Silence with Foster the People, a covers-heavy EP that includes a remix of the title track and versions of songs by Beck, Moby and the Verve. That year they also release “R U High” featuring Mallrat and “Sound the Alarm” with Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent, and appear on Purple Disco Machine’s “Fireworks”.

Their next full-length, HISTORY, appears in 2022 and includes collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James and Yoke Lore.