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FinleyKnight consists of brothers and multi-instrumentalists John Finley and Connor Knight Detjen. The duo have toured the U.S. extensively and have spent time in South America performing across Argentina in 2012. FinleyKnight moved to Los Angeles in 2013 to collaborate with Joey Waronker on their self-titled full length album, out now. Check out our interview with the duo below and get their album HERE.
Tell us about the album, how long you’ve been creating the songs, the recording process, and what the goal or vision was for it.
John: This album took us a very long time, much longer than our first two EP’s. We recorded the 10 tracks over a period of two years, in many different places, including Chicago, New York, Buenos Aires, and Los Angeles. The recording process was unique for each song, using different equipment, techniques, and various approaches. The way Connor and I work together is by passing songs back and forth, constantly. We spend enough time alone to flush out our own ideas, and then trade them. This allows us to work closely together, without working against each other. It is much nicer to hear an idea with music than to hear it explained in words. FinleyKnight’s vision is to focus on the progression and evolution of modern music. We want to be on the forefront of musical innovation.
I love the song “Madhatter.” What inspired this song and how did it come together?
Connor: Madhatter came together over an entire year, and was originally inspired by rhythm. Before there was any instrumentation or lyrics, there were three drum tracks that had no definite structure, and they really stood out. After day 1 of putting these together I actually started singing in my car (with my laptop open and recording) anything that came to mind. The first real lyric that stood out was “gotta get the madhatter”. Over the course of the next year, the song was passed back and forth many times between john and me. The words came from many different sources of inspiration but ultimately were built on the original concept of a “madhatter”.
My personal favorite on the album is “I’m Driving Cars.” What is the story behind that track?
John: I’m Driving Cars is about two things: people should follow their hearts, and stop trying to impress others. The first two verses touch on the idea that going off on your own is lonely, and definitely against the norm. Sometimes, it even requires leaving people behind. The third verse, as well as the title of the song, are about the lies we tell ourselves, and others. We paint ourselves wide, and fill all the voids, but there’ll be something missing.
What was it like working with Joey Waronker on the album? How did you get connected with him?
Connor: Working with Joey was an unbelievable experience for us. He was more than just a producer on this record…it felt like he was the third band member for 5 months. We connected with joey simply by reaching out to his management company with our previously recorded record, and inquiring about having it produced with Joey.
I’d love to hear about your time spent in South America. How was that experience, where did you go, and how did that influence you musically?
John: South America changed everything. We learned a lot about FinleyKnight, and what we wanted to become. It was the first time we toured as a duo. We learned that it was all about rhythm. We speak very little spanish, and could barely communicate with anyone down there, but rhythm communicates with everyone. We also learned that the voltage is different down there.. (not until the night of our first show). We toured with an Argentinian group, and became great friends with them. We plan to head back by the end of 2014.
When did you begin making music together? What was the first song you wrote together and what did it sound like?
John: Connor and I have been playing music together for as long as I can remember. Just the other day, I was watching some old home videos; Connor was on the piano, and I was on a tiny drum, at ages 4 and 5. We love playing music, and it’s nice when your bandmate is just a nudge away. Our first song was called Mookie (our older brother’s nickname). We were really into Phish and Grateful Dead at this time, and we loved their sporadic sections within songs, so of course, Mookie included a 2 minute bridge filled with quick random chord changes that we had precisely memorized. When we played it at our music teacher’s annual recital, people were very confused. We haven’t played that song live since, but we still know all the random chord changes, and sometimes burst into them during a practice.
What is your ultimate goal as musicians (if you have a defined goal)?
John: I hope to simply follow my own feelings.
Once the album is released, what are your plans for this Summer and the rest of 2014?
Connor: We plan to tour pretty extensively this summer. June 27th at Lincoln Hall, Chicago will be kicking that off for us. By the fall, I imagine we will already have started recording again.
Where is the best place to stay updated with you online and get the album?
Connor: www.finleyknight.com. We put everything up on our website. You can stream the album on our site, spotify, bandcamp, just about anywhere…and you can buy it on iTunes
FinleyKnight – “Madhatter”
