The Knocks

Get familiar with two of our favorite super producers and artists hailing from New York’s LES

The Knocks—Ben “B-Roc” Ruttner and James “Jpatt” Patterson— have been bringing their kickass production skills to big acts (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Marina & The Diamonds) for awhile, and are responsible for some of our favorite electro-pop remixes (Haim’s “Forever,” Santigold’s “The Keepers,” and Youngbloode Hawke’s “We Come Running,” to name a few).

However, we’re just as stoked on their original material, which turns out to be as infectiously and irresistibly dance-y as their previous production work (check out The Feeling and Dancing with the DJ—if that doesn’t get your booty shakin’, nothing will). We talked with Ben and James before their sold out, headlining show at The Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco (preceded by two other sold out shows at the 9:30 Club and Brooklyn Bowl), and they told us:

“The whole ‘Knocks’ thing came as a surprise. We just did some stuff for fun, we got really into dance music and added the live element which set us apart,” said Ben.

They confirmed a full length album has to be wrapped by April. Asked about their proudest moment, and Ben said, “Selling out the 9:30 club [in Washington, D.C.]. It was 1200 people, and the biggest show we ever did as a headliner experience. We’ve played big shows before, but as openers. This was the first time we headlined this big. It was a surreal.” —ms