19-year-old singer-songwriter Louis Knight takes a mature and nostalgic look at the past in his latest music video for “Just Kiss Me.”

The British native shared that this song and the video were inspired by the memories that resonated when dealing with the aftermath of a long-term relationship. “I started writing this song going into my senior year of high school and I had just gotten out of this very long relationship. I hadn’t really hung out or spent time with my friends in a long time so we went down to the beach in Jersey and I really wanted to capture that moment. That’s kinda why this video looks back at this past relationship and intercuts with different scenes.”

The video begins with Knight looking pensively at a polaroid picture of himself and an absent woman. After breaking out of this daydream, viewers are shown Knight on a stage, playing an intimate show for his friends and fans. His smooth, warm vocals guide us through the story of his previous relationship with intercut scenes of him and the girl in the photo spending their days and nights together at the beach.

The visuals are full of heartwarming moments that coincide with Knight’s carefully crafted lyrics, especially poignant lines like, “We’ve intertwined our souls.” This leaves us all the more heartbroken when we see the couple part and all the more relieved when we see their reunion in the “present” at Knight’s performance. With its captivating storytelling and alluring instrumentation and vocals, “Just Kiss Me” is a strong indicator of Knight’s ability to be an unapologetically vulnerable and honest musician.

This music video marks the beginning of an era for Knight. This fall the singer will be releasing his debut EP, Small Victories, which will touch on topics like relationships, loss, suicide, and hope. His next single, “Change,” is due to be released this September before the release of the full EP.

“I first started writing songs when I was fourteen,” shared Knight. “I think since then I’ve made leaps and bounds with my songwriting, and this EP that is coming out in the fall is full of very diverse tracks. I’m really excited for people to hear them all, and I hope that the messages in the tracks resonate with people.”

Check out Louis Knight’s music video for “Just Kiss Me” below!

Hi Louis, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?
Hi! Thank you! I’ve been doing well thanks, really happy since the release of Just Kiss Me! It’s my first release since a little project I put out in high school; which only my family and friends got to hear. I’ve been getting a great response so far, so I’m really excited to see how my upcoming EP resonates with people.

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Just Kiss Me”?
I wrote Just Kiss Me the summer going into my senior year of high school. I had just got out of a long relationship, and went down to the Jersey Shore with friends I hadn’t hung out with in a long long time. We had such a legendary weekend and I really just wanted to capture that moment.

How was the filming process and experience behind the video?
The filming process was awesome! Danny Gervitz, who directed, filmed, and edited the music video; has been a great friend and supporter of my music since he filmed a video for me during high school. It’s always a blast getting together with him. We shot the beach scenes down in Ocean city. For the performance scenes I invited a bunch of my friends to be a part of the audience which was a great time haha!

The single comes off your new album Small Victories – what’s the story behind the title?
The phrase, Small Victories, has meant a great deal to me in the last year and a half. One of my first and best friends here in America committed suicide in January of 2018 and none of us really knew why. It was a phrase he had been using to overcome his struggles as motivation to accomplish a few small things a day and keep moving forward. I’ve been using the term ever since in accordance with my own life. I got it tattooed on my arm on my 18th birthday, six months to the day he passed. And as all the songs on this EP are based on my experiences over this last year and a half, it felt like the perfect title.

How was the recording and writing process?
I spent 6 months, from last September to the start of 2019 writing nonstop. It was an incredible time of self reflection and growth for my songwriting, and as an overall musician. In March of this year, I started working with producer/engineer/session musician Matt Weber at Gradwell House recording studio in Haddon Heights, NJ at the suggestion of Matt Fell, my other co-producer and bandmate. The three of us have become an incredible team and amazing friends as well. We just love creating music together.

What role does Philly play in your music?
Moving to Philadelphia from England has given me the opportunity to become a recognized singer-songwriter. It’s where I found my immense love of songwriting. It’s a little bit of the American Dream. The people I’ve met here – from my friend Ori who I wrote and co-produced my first demos with freshman year of high school, to my co-producer and bandmate Matt Fell, to Juj who I wrote songs and filmed covers with — they’ve all helped shape me as a musician and songwriter.

How does your traveling and getting to meet different cultures has influence your writing?
Growing up in England till I was about 11 was a gift because in Europe it can be very easy/affordable to travel. I think it’s so important to try to open yourself to as many different cultures as you can. My grandparents live in a small village outside of Málaga, Spain where I’ve spent most summers. That’s actually where I wrote the second verse of “Just Kiss Me”.

I had just begun learning to play on a Spanish classical guitar and only knew two chords.
What were some of the victories you get to explore on this record?
I think the biggest victory would be writing my next single, “Change” which plan to release during suicide prevention month. I wrote it about working through the tragedy and trauma of my friends passing and also to let other people suffering mentally know that no matter what is going on, you can get through it and see the other side. Another victory would be writing, co-producing, and performing the set of songs on this EP. It has been incredible experiencing them grow to their final recordings.

Where else did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?
All of these songs have been inspired and written through my experiences this last year and a half. It has been such a rollercoaster.

Any plans to hit the road?
I’m in the process of rehearsing with a band and am really looking forward to supporting my upcoming EP by playing both locally and nationally. We’re working on our touring plan and we should be announcing dates in the near future!

What else is happening next in Louis Knight’s world?
The EP will be released in September!

Philadelphia based singer Louis Knight has released his debut video for the song, Just Kiss Me.

About “Just Kiss Me,” Knight said, “The song is about just getting out of a long relationship and for the first time I was going out with my friends and having a good time. We had a legendary weekend at the beach and I wanted to capture that moment.”

Just Kiss Me makes you want to dance and listen to it on repeat, especially in your car with the windows down. Knight’s voice brings you back to the old One Direction days and pulls you in from the very beginning. The video makes you want to find that Summer love and never let it go.

The 19-year-old, British-born artist is gearing up to release his debut EP, Small Victories, this September. To stay up to date on everything Knight releases, make sure to follow him on social media.

What do you think of the Louis Knight and his song/video? Let us know on Twitter at @CelebMix.

Local talents like Louis Knight provide an optimistic outlook to the future of the Philly area music scene.

At just 19 years old, the British-born Knight, who resides just outside the city’s confines in Narberth, is doing all he can to make it known that he has an outspoken voice. He shares stories that are close to his heart through his music.

Knight’s debut EP, “Small Victories,” was just released on Sept. 20. His single off the album, “Change,” is about his best friend who committed suicide while they went to school together at Lower Merion High School.

Writing the song proved to be a difficult experience for Knight. He tried to write it several times, but never felt like he could write something that properly captured how he was feeling. However, once he found the words, they began to flow fast.

“I wrote the song in about 30 minutes, really,” he said. “It’s kind of weird how those things play out.”

Capturing such raw emotions in a roughly four-minute song couldn’t have been easy for Knight. This is part of why writing the song is the proudest moment of his music career thus far.

“This is the song where I’ve had to reflect the most,” he said.

Through writing a song based on such a painful experience, Knight hopes to raise awareness surrounding mental health and ensure people that they’re never alone.

“I wrote it as a tribute to him, and hopefully to give hope to other people that are suffering mentally,” he said, noting his plans to donate all of the proceeds made from “Change” to the Philadelphia chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

He will also be performing the song, in addition to the national anthem, at the AFSP “Out of the Darkness Greater Philadelphia Walk” on Oct. 6.

“I’ve always wanted to get involved and try to advocate for suicide prevention, and try to use this experience to help others,” Knight said.

Knight performed “Change” on the FOX 29 show “The Q” on Sept. 10. This appearance on regional TV gave exposure to his bright personality and endless talent. He sat center stage as he played his keyboard and powerfully sang his single. There was an apparent rush of emotion in every lyric he sang and his unwavering voice throughout the performance proved him a future force to be reckoned with in the rising talent pool of Philly’s music scene.

“Change” wades into decidedly more serious territory than his other single “Just Kiss Me,” which is also featured on his EP. The latter is about a relationship he had in high school that ended when his girlfriend went to college. Nevertheless, it’s a stunning example of Knight’s ability to translate his emotions and experiences into meaningful pop songs for the masses to enjoy.

Knight said he was inspired to become a musician by his dad, who was in a rock band for about 15 years. His dad motivated him and his siblings to play instruments and become involved in the music world. Although he claimed he has been singing since he learned how to talk, Knight said he didn’t write his first song until he was 14 years old.

“I only knew the main four chords to every pop song ever,” he joked.

After finding his passion, Knight began writing more music and posting covers of his favorite songs to YouTube. He released an EP his junior year of high school to only his close friends and family.

He realized that he wanted to pursue a music career when he began working with his friend, co-producer and bandmate Matt Fell, during his senior year.

“It was like a dream, finding your passion at such a young age,” he said. “I’m really lucky to have found music.”

Knight draws influences in his music from powerhouse pop performers like Amy Winehouse and Jon Bellion, whose strong voices have led them through much success throughout their music careers. Although he’s just starting to break out, Knight already has a vision of becoming a well-known, internationally touring singer-songwriter five years down the line.

Fulfilling this goal would mean the world to him.

“This is all I’m good at, to be frank,” Knight laughed.

An Eagles cheerleader and a Lower Merion High School alum are among two of the Philadelphia-area singers expected to star in the new season of “American Idol.”

Louis Knight, 19, of Montgomery County will compete on new season of ‘American Idol.’ Knight, who moved to Narberth from London, is highlighted in a promo for the new season, starring Ryan Seacrest. Judge Luke Bryan tells Knight, ‘You may be the biggest star we’ve ever had on ‘American Idol.”

Kyle Tanguay, the Birds’ first male cheerleader, and Louis Knight, a singer-songwriter from Montgomery County, will compete on the show’s 18th season, which premieres Sunday on ABC.

Tanguay shared on Twitter that he auditioned for the show. He later changed his bio to include “American Idol Season 3,” indicating his audition got some air-time. Although the long-running show has been on-air since 2002, it is only in its third year on ABC.

Tanguay is a senior at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he studies dance and also sings.

Knight, 19, who moved to Narberth after spending his early childhood in London, is highlighted in a promo for the new season, The Courier-Post reported.

The “Almost Famous” tribute promo features the blonde-haired Knight sitting on a tour bus with other Idol hopefuls while Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” plays. Knight begins singing and other contestants join in, indicating that Knight may be a top competitor this season.

In another preview, Judge Luke Bryan also tells Knight, “You may be the biggest star we’ve ever had on ‘American Idol.'”

“American Idol” reached out to Knight by phone and invited him to audition, according to the Courier-Post. He possibly auditioned when the show stopped in Pittsburgh last September.

No Pennsylvanian has ever won the competition, but this year they may have a decent chance. Current judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Bryan help select the winner. It is still hosted by Ryan Seacrest.

Other local performers from South Jersey include Megan Knight, of Williamstown, Gloucester County, and Calista Vacirca, of Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County.

Other New Jersey singers include Tyla McCray, of Newark, of Essex County; Stephanie Weisz, of Morganville, Monmouth County; Michael Wingate of Union Beach, Monmouth County; Michael Muccigrosi, of Belle Mead, Somerset County, Natalie Janowski, of Woodcliffe Lake, Bergen County.

In addition to the ABC broadcast, viewers can watch American Idol’s premiere on Hulu Live and other streaming platforms.

NARBERTH, PA — In the third season of ABC’s American Idol, a young man from the Main Line is having his dreams come true.

Louis Knight, 19, of Narberth, will hit the national airwaves Sunday night when the show premiers at 8 p.m.

For Knight, the opportunity was unexpected and one he could not pass up.

“It was completely unexpected,” Knight said of the chance to audition. “It fell out of the sky.”

For those in the know, most contestants do not get invited to audition. Typically, musicians are selected through a public casting call. But Knight got a call asking to give it a shot. He said he thought the call was a joke. But now, with the premier nearly here, he says it finally feels real.

“It’s been getting more and more real every day,” he told Patch Friday.

Knight, who moved to Narberth from England about nine years ago, has been gigging in and around Philadelphia, which fits the plan he set to start playing shows on the east coast.

“I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t take the opportunity,” he said.

And it turns out that decision was the right one.

In a promo posted to the American Idol Facebook page, country megastar and judge Luke Bryan tells Knight he “might be the biggest star we’ve ever had” during his audition in front of fellow judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, the latter being a major influence on Knight’s music.

Regarding this audition, Knight says he basically blacked out.

“I was so nervous,” he said. “I walked in and was practically shaking.”

But, the singer-songwriter who wrote his first song at 14, gave a performance of his original song titled “Change,” which he wrote after a friend took his own life.

“As soon as I sat down, instincts took over and I did the thing I love to do.”

Performing such an emotional song in front of the judges was an incredible moment, he said. Knight was also featured in a TV spot for the new season, singing Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” on a tour bus with fellow contestants, who Knight says are all supportive of one another.

“Everyone is so lovely and supportive of one another,” he said.

The experience has made some contestants friends for life, despite the show’s competitive nature. And as for family and friends, Knight says the support has been unbelievable.

“The support I get from my family and friends is incredible and I’m so grateful,” he said. “I’ve been getting so much support over the last few days.”

In fact, The Great American Pub in Narberth is hosting a watch party for Sunday’s premier. The pub will show the premier on all its TV while offering drink and appetizer specials. The pub is located at 101 N. Narberth Ave.

As for Knight, he says his friends are going to film his reaction to the audition. While he’s hitting the national stage on one of the most storied talent search programs, Knight still has local gigs on his calendar. He is set to play a full set with his backing band Feb. 25 at Milkboy, 1100 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia.

“American Idol” season three premiers at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.