Release and You Shall Receive with Riley Knapp (RKCB)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton
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Topics discussed
Host note
Riley Knapp records as RKCB and has mastered my music for over a decade, engineer, producer, and musician enough to know the catalog as well as anyone. The through-line of the conversation is what happens after a song is finished: one of his tracks sat under a thousand plays before landing in an Apple commercial, the kind of outcome that only happens if you actually put the thing out.
The Thornton thread runs through him. USC Today (March 10, 2016) puts Riley in Mora Mora with Matias Mora, Leland Cox, Cary Singer, and Nick Campbell, the 2013 popular-music class. Cary Singer later produced [5G BABY](/songs/5g-baby/) (co-written with Robel Ketema; Luke mixed) and mixed FEiN singles Riley mastered ([Bodies](/songs/bodies/), [Culling](/songs/culling/), [800,000](/songs/800-000/), [Liminal](/songs/liminal/)). Riley's SoundBetter profile calls RKCB his artist project, one half of the duo with writing and production partner Casey Barth, and lists Discogs-verified credits that include Scoobert Doobert, FEiN, and Applied Communications. Brandon Woodward's SoundBetter profile credits FEiN, RKCB, and LostBoyCrow. Woodward was RKCB's touring drummer.
We trace his path from drummer, where listening and holding rhythm for the group becomes its own kind of instinct, into production and mastering, and the mindset shift he credits most: release it, stop sitting on finished work, and get less precious about music that might matter to someone else. He also talks through how cheaper, more accessible technology has changed what a bedroom setup can do, and what he still checks by gut rather than spec when he's mixing.
Selected moments
- Musical family background 1:31 Riley shares how his musical upbringing shaped his love for drums and sound.
- The role of drummers in music production 4:22 A discussion on how drummers often excel in listening and maintaining rhythm for the group.
- Importance of mutual support in music 7:01 Riley recalls a pivotal moment during a performance that shifted his perspective on teamwork.
- Finding your unique sound 13:57 Exploring how mastering and production influenced Riley's development as a musician.
- The secret to successful releases 28:29 Riley emphasizes the power of releasing music and finding one's voice.
- Technology's impact on music creation 36:31 Discussing how the accessibility of technology has transformed music production.
- Releasing music with confidence 43:59 Riley reflects on the mindset needed to share creations with the world.
- Excitement of creative exploration 62:15 Riley and Luke talk about the joy of continuously experimenting with new sounds.
- Final thoughts on artistic integrity 48:31 The importance of staying true to one's artistic vision while navigating industry expectations.
Selected excerpts
I've always had this innate connection to music that is a lot deeper than just listening to it.
You can really delve deep and figure out what your purpose, your skill set is and how that can lend itself to the creative world.
I'm doing this for me. It's a crucial thing in making music; if all you think about is yourself, that well runs dry.
When you're trying to climb a mountain with friends, you push each other, and that makes all the difference.
Release it, and we release it - that’s the secret. So many people sit on amazing ideas for years.
You might be holding onto something that could change someone's life, so get less precious about your art.
What is my gut saying? What would I want from this? That's what I think is the most important part of mixing.
It’s about ensuring that you're respecting the growth of an artist and adapting to those changes.
FAQ
What inspires Riley Knapp's music and production style?
Riley Knapp draws inspiration from his musical upbringing in a family that valued sound, as well as his experiences collaborating with various artists. He emphasizes the importance of releasing music that resonates personally while also connecting with audiences.
How can artists overcome the fear of releasing their music?
Riley suggests focusing on the joy of creation and the importance of sharing your work with the world. He believes that artists should aim to be less precious about their music and recognize that their creations may inspire others.
What role does technology play in contemporary music production?
Technology has greatly lowered the barrier to entry for music production, allowing more artists to express their creativity. Riley discusses how the accessibility of tools influences modern music creation.
These pages are host notes, not a full transcript. An automatic transcript is on the Spotify episode.