Evan Knapp

Evan Knapp is a singer/songwriter and bassist from Upstate New York, currently based in Portland, Oregon.
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Growing up on an organic farm in the rolling hills of Preble, NY, Knapp was brought up in a nurturing, sustainable, yet sheltered environment. As he grew older and ventured outside of this environment, he soon realized that the world was much larger and more involved than the organic paradise in which he was raised. Though not immediately realizing it, it was this upbringing and attitude that provided the framework for his songwriting.
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Knapp's musical origins began in the fourth grade as his band teacher was introducing each instrument to the prospective beginning band students. The trumpet, saxophone, and percussion instruments all caught his attention, but it was the euphonium that piqued his curiosity the most. His teacher explained that quality euphonium players were few and far between, which challenged him to pursue the instrument. Practicing daily, much to the chagrin of the rest of his family, Knapp soon began playing each year in the All County band and performing NYSSMA solos to rave reviews.
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Raised on the sounds of Dave Matthews Band, Carlos Santana, Little Feat, and Neil Young by his parents Paul and Maureen, Knapp turned a new leaf when his oldest brother, Casey, introduced him to Red Hot Chili Peppers. He distinctly remembers not knowing what instrument made the low, driving sound on the song "By The Way". His middle brother, Blaise, would reveal to him that it was a bass guitar, thus beginning his lifelong curiosity in the instrument,
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It wasn't until Knapp broke an acoustic/electric bass at a local guitar store that his contemporary musical journey truly began. After clumsily placing the instrument on a stand on top of a speaker and not latching it up properly, it fell to the floor, effectively breaking the neck in half. His parents kindly brought the broken bass to a neighbor who fixed it for the price of a few organic, pasture-raised chickens.
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Knapp transitioned to bass guitar with ease, using his background in low brass as a foundation. He began emulating Flea's bass techniques from Red Hot Chili Peppers and improvising with his older brothers, both of whom were learning guitar. He was the first bass player to join the Tully Elementary School Jazz Ensemble in Tully, NY.
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Upon entering the high school jazz band as a freshman, Knapp faced a dilemma: the band had a bassist, but no guitar player. He rose to the occasion and tried out on guitar after Blaise taught him some basic jazz chords. Despite the challenge, Knapp made the cut.
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He coasted along musically through high school and began focusing his efforts more on grades and running, feeling uninspired by a lack of introduction to new music. His attitude changed after David Caraccio's cover of No Such Thing on YouTube turned him on to John Mayer. Mayer's mixture of guilty pleasure pop hooks and complex, colorful jazz chords connected with Knapp in a way that no prior artist had. The lyrics also struck a chord with him (no pun intended), as his growing animosity towards formal education later caused him to graduate high school one year early. His musical fervor returned and hasn't left since.

Around the same time, Casey began encouraging him to perform at local open mic nights, specifically at the now-defunct university location of Funk 'n Waffles in Syracuse, NY. Knapp would rush down to Syracuse after running practice to play cover songs to an often unresponsive crowd of college students. Although conditions weren't ideal for improving stage presence, it was a chance for Knapp to get his bearings on stage and to begin to learn to sing through a microphone. Despite the lack of encouragement from the audience, he found great pleasure in the whole process and it was through these visits that he began to develop his musical identity.
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His foray into songwriting began with a cliché heartbreak during his final year of high school, in which he learned how to internalize visceral emotions to express himself in a poetic, yet relatable way. His goal with songwriting has been, is, and will be to connect with others during difficult (and enjoyable) times, in the same way that John Mayer initially connected with him. He firmly believes that although no two lives are the same, there are certain aspects of the human experience and condition that everyone must undergo, and that music can and should be used as a method to connect and bring people together.
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After high school, Knapp spent a year abroad in the country of Switzerland to open his mind, immerse himself into a new culture, and learn a new language.
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Upon returning to the United States, he found himself struck with wanderlust. He wanted to move to a bigger city, live in a new part of the country, and integrate himself into a musical community. Unable to afford a car, he decided on Portland, Oregon after researching its bike-friendly infrastructure.
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Knapp has resided there since late 2014 and has been making a name for himself with his solo project, along with doing freelance work as a bassist. He is currently in the process of recording his debut EP.
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This bio was surely not written by Evan Knapp.