The Knocks

Formed as a production and DJ partnership, The Knocks craft melodic, lighthearted dance tracks inspired by soul, funk, disco, rap, and pop elements. They built recognition through multiple singles, remixes, and EPs including the 2011 release Magic before issuing their initial album-length project, 55, in 2016, which incorporated contributions from Cam'ron, Carly Rae Jepsen, Wyclef Jean, and Walk the Moon. After exploring side endeavors in future funk via Amelia Airhorn and tropical house as the Mary Nixons, the pair delivered yet another upbeat disco-house retro outing in the form of New York Narcotic during 2019. Subsequent joint efforts involved Gallant, Rivers Cuomo, and Foster the People, resulting in the covers-focused 2021 EP Melody & Silence. The next year brought the guest-filled full-length HISTORY.

James "JPatt" Patterson and Ben "DJ B-Roc" Ruttner established The Knocks in 2008. The two connected while attending New York City's New School and shared living quarters, installing modest recording setups in their separate bedrooms. Constant neighbor complaints about the volume prompted repeated door knocks to request quieter sessions, which directly inspired the duo's name. Early achievements as remixers allowed them to construct a dedicated studio in Manhattan. Throughout 2008 and 2009, Knocks remixes emerged for tracks such as Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," Britney Spears' "3," and PRGz's "Soul Glo." That same period also saw B-Roc and Andrew W.K. issue DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1 in 2009, which contained several productions credited to the Knocks.

The Knocks issued their debut singles in 2010, including the upbeat "Dancing with the DJ," later included on the 2011 EP Magic, and the whistling track "Make It Better." Over the ensuing years, further remixes for Tegan and Sara's "Closer," the 1975's "Girls," and Dragonette's "Let It Go," among others, along with tours alongside Ellie Goulding, Dragonette, and Sleigh Bells, raised their visibility. They partnered with Fred Falke on the 2012 Kitsuné Music single "Geronimo" and with Treasure Fingers on "DYWT," which appeared via Fool's Gold Clubhouse in 2014. Also in 2014, they put out the Neon Gold EP Comfortable, featuring work with X Ambassadors and Ra Ra Riot.

Under Big Beat, the Knocks adopted a slower pace for the 2014 single "Classic," one of their more funk-oriented and disco-leaning releases, which featured Powers. An EP titled So Classic followed in April 2015, succeeded by a revised "Classic" that added a verse from Fetty Wap. Much of that year was devoted to their long-postponed debut album, previewed by the singles "I Wish (My Taylor Swift)" with Matthew Koma and "New York City" featuring Cam'ron. In March 2016, they finally unveiled the full-length 55, which added further appearances by Wyclef Jean, Walk the Moon, Carly Rae Jepsen, Alex Newell, and Justin Tranter of Semi-Precious Weapons. That July, the duo supplied remixed selections from the album on the 55.5 EP.

Early 2017 saw the release of the new-song EP Testify, which included collaborations with MNEK, Delacey, and Tayla Parx. Later that year, the Knocks joined Skylar Spence for a future funk mixtape under the Amelia Airhorn name. They also created the Mary Nixons with Mat Zo and issued the single "Adrian," then followed with the Captain Cuts collaboration "House Party." The July 2018 single "Shades" later appeared on the duo's second full-length, New York Narcotic, released later that year and featuring contributions from Method Man, Sofi Tukker, and Foster the People.

Several singles arrived in 2019, among them the Kah-Lo collaboration "Awa Ni" and "Lucky Me" with Great Good Fine Ok. Most were gathered on the EP Summer Series: 2019. Additional singles surfaced in 2020, such as "One Fine Day" with Idris Elba, "Bodies" with MUNA, and "All About You" featuring Foster the People. In 2021, they released the EP Melody & Silence with Foster the People, which contained a remix of one single along with covers of songs by Beck, Moby, and the Verve. Also that year, the Knocks put out "R U High" featuring Mallrat and "Sound the Alarm" featuring Rivers Cuomo and Royal & the Serpent, and appeared on Purple Disco Machine's "Fireworks." The following year brought the full-length HISTORY, which incorporated collaborations with Foster the People, MUNA, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Cold War Kids, Parson James, and Yoke Lore, among others.