Release Alert! Katie Knipp – Dance Me

A stylized photo of a woman singing into a microphone.

I am always a fan of artists who take a chance and step out of their usual style or genre to give some other sounds a try.   Knipp has long been a great talent (mostly in the blues / rock space) going all the way back to her first album Midnight Mind.   She has displayed other chops along the way (speaking of that first album check out “Someonewherelse” which is a piano driven number and a fav of mine).  Some other highlights from the past to check out include “Santa Cruz Blues” (off Take It With You), “The Gospel of Good Intentions” (The Well and also a great performance on Live at the Green Room Social Club) and “Outlaw Doc” (Me).  One of the things I appreciate the most (other than the great band she always has with her) is her ability to write piercing lyrics that kind of sneak up on you sometimes…you can just be listening along and she will turn a phrase or a sharp line on you unexpectedly.   So, all of that being said, when I started seeing her release some “re-mixes” as singles I had a “what the heck is this all about moment?”  Not to worry though as Dance Me, which she proudly proclaims as “my first ever electronica record!” is an interesting and worthy addition to her catalog.  

This new album, featuring re-mixes of eight of the ten songs off of 2024’s Me, hits a range of grooves in that electronica space.  These include a club-bopping version of “Vampire”, the slow and slightly breathless funk of “Go” and a dreamy and stark reggae influenced take on “Stillness.”  You can definitely dance to these but they are also pretty cool to listen to just sitting around and pondering the world.   

If you check these songs or the album out…please think about purchasing as streaming does not pay well even times a thousand.

You can check out more music and info at either link below:

https://katieknipp.bandcamp.com/music

https://katieknipp.com/home

And please remember to support all of your locals…that community out there is a pretty cool place 🙂 

Song Review- Katie Knipp “Go” (Electro-Funk Remix) 

Photo by Phil Kampel

Well, when you review a remix of a song (this one is off her 2024 album Me)  you have to say which one you like better…right?  So you have that to look forward to later anyway 🙂 

It is no secret that I (and plenty of other people judging from the recognition and awards she has received) know that Knipp is a fantastic musician and one of the rising but still under-appreciated musicians in the blues music scene today.  Just as a personal observation, I receive a lot of comm from musicians and hers always comes across as very sincere, heartfelt and “on the cuff’ – meaning that she comes across as real and authentic.  

When Me was released I was impressed with the depth and layers of the songs on that record and my favorite track was Outlaw Doc which is reviewed here: 

“Go” was a strong track also off that album with an interesting spoken word opening over piano and some very pointed lyrics.  It has a nice, slow bluesy groove running through it and comes across as a pensive reflection on complicated relationships.  This electro-funk remix keeps a soft opening with a slow drum-driven and punchy bass tempo with Knipp’s vocals riding right along the top of the rhythm.  The guitar solo around the 3:00 mark and gospel-style chorus that follows are great moments that fill out this song and really make it noteworthy.  This version seems more personal than the one on Me…and yes, I like it more than the original.

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://katieknipp.bandcamp.com

Your locals need you so keep them in mind always – community is powerful! 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…

Song Review- Katie Knipp “Outlaw Doc” from the album Me

There is such a nice, peaceful ten seconds that lead off this song, it makes you kind of “sitting around the backyard” kind of sleepy…and then boom!  This track bangs open into a real hard driver…very awesome! 

That calm intro is a very nostalgic dobro that is understated and almost under-volume.  When this track takes off that dobro carries on with the accompaniment of a crashy drum line, bass, guitar, harmonica and a great sounding Hammond organ.   Nice guitar solo mid-stream also and what a great ending ( I will not ruin that for you…just listen!).

You can check out more of the music and information on the Bandcamp page https://katieknipp.bandcamp.com/

As always…please get out with your locals…they all need you 🙂 

And please think about purchasing this song after you listen – streaming music does not pay much even times a thousand…