Having already made her mark with a string of impactful offerings these last few months, UK-based South African artist Cara Knox is back once again to deliver her stunning new single 'Ronda'.
Lifted from her newly unveiled EP 'I dance with the dark so she loves me', which is available to stream now, 'Ronda' makes for a wonderfully rich and immersive listen. With her sweeping vocal style spread across a progressive alt-pop production throughout, she continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The drums! I just loved anything noisy, and drums were great for that. I also had so much fun going to local music stores and trying out all the shiny kits. So I convinced my parents to get me a second-hand drum kit and send me for lessons, but needless to say that didn’t last long (a little too loud for their liking!).
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I grew up in a very eclectic musical household. My dad had Dire Straits and Chris De Burgh blasting in the car on long road trips, my mom was a massive Elvis fan and my brothers had the Emo vibe (Good Charlotte, Fall out Boy). So I loved a range of music and definitely have a soft spot for the 70’s.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My first ever album was Taylor Swift – Fearless, and I have been a country-pop music fan ever since (and an even bigger Swifty). I recently sang my heart out at the Eras tour at Wembley, so much nostalgia!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There’s a song called ‘Daydream’ by Lily Meola and it definitely inspired me to take the dive into full-time musician life a couple of years ago. It’s just such a simple, beautiful reminder of the importance of following your passion, captured by thought-provoking lyrics and melodic instrumentation.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
My musical process takes on a different form with every song, but I seem to enjoy sitting on the kitchen floor with the lights low, a candle or two burning in the background. It just creates a very calm, moody atmosphere that seems to get me in the right headspace, particularly for my new style of dark-pop music. It’s also great for fridge access, because a lot of snacks are needed for brain fuel!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Oh so many! Taylor Swift (of course), but also Billie Eilish, Zach Bryan, Smith and Thell. I also re-discovered my love of Angels & Airwaves when I played a recent Vinyl of their 2021 Album, ‘Lifeforms’.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Taylor is the obvious answer again, but I am also a massive fan of Lana Del Rey, and my current musical direction would align more with her style. I also wouldn’t say no to Billie Eilish, Lorde and Florence + the machine.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part of being a musician is when you sit to write a song and find that ‘flow’, where it almost just comes to you and feels like the most freeing, natural experience of self-expression. It’s made even better by co-writing and getting to share that joy and excitement with someone else. Pretty special moment when you crack a song together!
And what is the most frustrating part?
I seem to experience a lot of insecurity when promoting songs, especially in the age of social media where it’s never been easier and harder at the same time to get your music heard and reach potential listeners. I get a lot of posting anxiety, and it takes me a lifetime to edit reels. But I’m learning to find the joy in it, and it helps to team up with friends and other musicians to have some fun with it.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To just let the music guide you and learn to silence the noise around it. It sounds so simple, but I sometimes lose sight of why I write songs, and the process becomes tainted by pressures to promote and release. So stripping it right back and making the music that I love, letting it take me in any direction and being open, is what I keep reminding myself to do.
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Cara Knox's new single 'Ronda' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.