At just 23 years old, Grant Knoche has already carved an impressive path in music. Born in Dallas, Texas and now based in Los Angeles, the multi-talented singer, producer, and songwriter began experimenting with Logic at the age of ten — and he hasn’t stopped creating since. Self-taught and deeply dedicated, Grant has written and produced all of his songs himself, crafting a synth-driven pop sound marked by deep bass lines and emotional intensity.
With the release of his new album, Good Luck Getting Over Me, Grant opens a new chapter in his career — more mature, more confident in his voice and sound, yet still true to the sensitivity and authenticity that define him. “I’ve always been drawn to music that feels unique, different, and that makes me feel something new,” he says. “That’s exactly what I strive to do in my music.”
His work has been featured on top playlists such as New Music Friday, Obsessed, Teen Beats, and New Music Daily, while since 2020 he has also been producing for other artists — including Christina Aguilera, Jess Glynne, Victoria Justice, and many more. At the same time, he emphasizes creating music that highlights each artist’s authenticity: “My goal is to find the perfect balance between the production and the lyrics so that the vulnerability and honesty aren’t lost.”
Before forging his own path in the pop scene, Grant became known as a member of Kidz Bop, appearing on more than nine of the project’s albums, and later starred in shows such as Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and the Brat series Chicken Girls and Total Eclipse. From the release of his debut single “Downpour” in 2017 to his brand new album, Grant continues to evolve — staying true to his vision of creating music that is personal, different, and deeply genuine.
You started performing with Kidz Bop at just 10 years old, touring across the country and performing in over 160 shows. Looking back, how did those early experiences shape you as an artist?
Wow. I think just performing at such a young age — I started at 10 years old with Kidz Bop — gave me so much early experience. Being on stage in front of huge crowds, learning stage presence, figuring out how to interact with an audience… even learning how to handle things when they go wrong, like technical difficulties or the times I actually fell on stage — it all taught me how to pick myself up, keep going, and stay in the moment.
There were so many great lessons from the technical side of performing, but it was also such a great space for me to figure out what kind of music I loved and what I wanted to do as an artist. Performing all those top hits over and over was like a really amazing boot camp — hearing what makes certain songs connect and seeing the audience react to them.
It definitely helped me realize, even at a young age, that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And I came out of that experience knowing for sure that I wanted to keep doing it forever.
You’ve evolved from kid pop to mature, alternative pop with emotional depth. How would you describe your current sound and artistic vision?
I grew up listening to Adele, so I’ve always loved piano ballads and really heartfelt, vulnerable music. Then I got really into dubstep and EDM—especially that dark pop, bass-heavy, synth-driven sound. And of course, I’ve always loved pop. I’ve been a little pop girly my whole life!
So, I was really excited to find a way to bring all those influences together. I’d describe my sound now as dark pop with emotional, vulnerable lyrics. That’s kind of the balance I aim for.
This new album is especially exciting because it challenged me in new ways. My last project had a lot of raw, emotional themes. With this one, I focused more on creating songs that make you want to dance and feel good. I knew I was on the right track when I found myself dancing in my chair while producing! That feeling—that joy—is exactly what I wanted to capture.
Representing Texas in the American Song Contest with “Mr. Independent” was a huge milestone. How did it feel to showcase your work on a national stage?
It was a really surreal experience. There was a lot of pressure, especially knowing I was representing my home state of Texas. I wanted to make sure I represented it well and made everyone back home proud.
When people think of Texas, they often go straight to cowboy hats, horses, and country music. But growing up in Frisco, my experience was much more city than country. So, I thought it was cool to be a pop artist representing Texas—it gave people a different perspective of what the state is all about.
And then being on the same stage as artists like Michael Bolton, Macy Gray, and Sisqó? That was wild. These are artists I’ve looked up to for so long. To be in the same competition and have people voting for my song? It felt like a dream.
What did you learn from that experience, both professionally and personally?
That performance was my first major live TV moment for my own music. I’d done The Today Show when I was younger, but this felt different—it was me up there, doing my thing.
It was amazing to see how much goes on behind the scenes to pull it off. And when you step on that stage, you have one shot. If you mess up, it’s out there forever. That pressure was real – but I loved it. It confirmed for me that this is what I want to do: award shows, big stages, live TV.
It gave me a taste of that world, and now I’m even more motivated to keep pushing toward those kinds of moments.
Today is your brand new album’s release day entitled “Good Luck Getting Over Me”! What can fans expect from this new project?
This album is full of high-energy, danceable tracks. It’s the kind of music you can pregame to, dance to in the club, or blast in the car singing along by yourself.
It’s got this confident, feel-good energy throughout—music that just makes you feel your best. That was the goal: to create a fun, empowering experience from start to finish.
The title feels bold and confident – what’s the story behind it?
Album titles are always tricky. For my last project, “I Could Die Just Thinking of Us”, that title came from a lyric in “Icarus,” and it captured the heartbreak and intensity of that whole project.
With Bold and Confident, I wanted something that tied this album together in the same way. “Good Luck Getting Over Me” was already one of the tracks, and that lyric felt like it captured the whole vibe: confidence, fun, post-heartbreak empowerment.
It just felt larger than life – like the perfect title for this new era. And when we paired it with the album cover – the motorcycle, the wheelie, the energy – it all clicked.
You released “I Miss Your Love” this summer after fans voted for it. Why do you think that song resonated so strongly with them?
Most of the singles I released from this album had that club-ready, confident energy. But “I Miss Your Love” brought back a bit of that vulnerability from my last project.
It’s the final track on the album, and it feels like a transition—a look at what might be coming next. It explores those lingering feelings after heartbreak, when you start reflecting and asking, “Why do I still feel this way?”.
I think fans connected with that honesty. Sonically, it fits with this album, but emotionally, it reaches back to where I’ve been. That contrast made it really special.
Are there any tracks on the new album that feel especially close to your heart?
Yes – “Woohoo” is really close to me. I actually wrote the original version about two years ago, and it had a completely different beat. It was slower, kind of weird, and just didn’t hit the way I wanted.
But recently, I was going through old files, found it again, and suddenly had a new vision for it. I reworked the beat, brought in some inspiration from Twenty One Pilots (I love their drums), and it came to life in a whole new way.
Seeing that evolution—from something that didn’t quite work to something I’m so proud of—makes “Woohoo” really special to me.
What’s next after the release of “Good Luck Getting Over Me”? Any dream collaborations, tours, or new directions you’d like to explore?
I’ve written so many songs over the past two and a half years – more than what made it onto this album. So I’m excited to release more music soon, maybe as a deluxe edition or even a new project.
I’d also love to collaborate with other artists and do some feature work. Dream collaborations? I mean, I always think of my idols, and then I get scared to say them because I respect them so much! But I think Lorde would be incredible. I love Tove Lo too. And Labrinth would be amazing—his production is next level.
You’ve already surpassed 80 million streams and have over 100,000 monthly listeners — incredible milestones. How do you stay grounded amid this success?
Honestly, my family and friends keep me grounded. I’m also an independent artist—I’m not signed to a big label, and I don’t have some massive team behind me. It’s me, my manager, and a few close collaborators making everything happen.
There’s no one forcing me to get up and do this every day. I do it because I love it, and I want to keep growing. That drive is what keeps me going.
I’m also grateful for the slow, steady growth over the years. When I reach new goals, I can look back and remember exactly how much work it took to get there. That perspective keeps everything in check.
You came out as bisexual in 2022, and many fans have praised your openness. How has embracing your identity influenced your music and your relationship with your audience?
Before releasing “First Hello,” I hadn’t really experienced many relationships, and I wasn’t open about my sexuality. I was writing from imagined scenarios or stories I saw in movies.
But after that song came out and fans started messaging me—telling me they came out to that song or that it helped them keep going—it completely changed how I approach my music.
It showed me how powerful it can be to be vulnerable and honest. The more of myself I put into my songs, the more people connect. It’s scary at times, but it’s also deeply rewarding.
At the end of the day, I think we’re here to connect with each other. Music is one of the most powerful ways to do that.
What advice would you give to young fans that look up to you and are discovering who they are?
Just go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you “no.”
A lot of people will act like they know everything—but no one does, not even at the highest levels. Everything in this industry is trial and error. So why should anyone tell you something won’t work?
Think about artists like Billie Eilish. She was one of the first to break through with a totally new sound, and look where she is now. If you believe in your voice and your vision, trust it. Even if it only connects with a thousand people at first—those thousand people will tell more people, and it will grow.
Keep pushing. Stay true to yourself. And don’t stop just because others don’t get it right away.
What’s your motto in life?
I actually have two mottos I go back to often.
One is a quote I loved as a kid: “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” —Dr. Seuss. Growing up, I always felt different. Everyone around me wanted to do sports or follow more traditional paths, and I just wanted to dance and make music. I was afraid to fully own that at the time, but I’m so glad I did.
The second one is something I say a lot to myself now: “This is why people quit.” Whenever things get tough, or I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself—this is the moment where people stop. And that’s exactly why I won’t.
I keep going. Because I know it’s just one hard moment in a much bigger journey. And every time, things end up working out exactly how they’re meant to.
Interview: Theodore Kolliopoulos
