Indie Pop Sensation Connor Adams Unveils New Single "White Knuckles"

Emerging singer-songwriter Connor Adams has just released his brand-new single, "White Knuckles," on Friday, July 5th, 2024. Crafted in Adams' home studio, this indie pop gem draws heavy inspiration from iconic bands The Cranberries and The Pixies, delivering a nostalgic yet fresh listening experience. Blending soulful vocals with jangly guitars and atmospheric production, "White Knuckles" captures the raw emotion and unique sound that fans of Connor Adams have come to love. Reflecting the profound lyrical depth and dynamic energy reminiscent of his influences, Adams' latest release promises to be a standout addition to his growing discography.

1. Connor, congratulations on the release of your new single "White Knuckles." Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song and what it represents for you personally and artistically?

Hey Josh, thanks so much! It's incredibly fulfilling to finally release "White Knuckles" out into the world. The inspiration behind it was deeply rooted in the indie scene of the late 90s. What really reignited my passion for that era was stumbling upon Royel Otis's viral TikTok cover of The Cranberries' "Linger". It struck a chord with me and got me reminiscing about that sound and time. On April 11th, I treated myself to my dream guitar, the Gibson 335. That alone motivated me to start playing more often. Interestingly enough, "White Knuckles" was the very first song I wrote, though initially, I had named it "When It Turns July".

2. You've mentioned that "White Knuckles" draws heavy inspiration from iconic bands like The Cranberries and The Pixies. How did these influences shape the sound and production of the track, and what elements from these bands did you incorporate into your music?

That's right, it actually gave great structure and efficiency to the whole recording process. On the drums was Tom Peters, who also produced White Knuckles and many other records of mine. He used an old 90's Yamaha Beech Custom kit - with very little muffling, which in turn created a really rock but natural sound. We used loads of room mics, and intentionally had the drums high in the mix to achieve the pixies style sound. Using the RMX 16 reverb on 'inverse' setting to really emulate their vibe. 

3. The single blends your soulful vocals with jangly guitars and atmospheric production. Can you share more about your creative process in your home studio and how you achieved this intimate yet expansive sonic landscape?

I approached the verse and chorus vocals in two distinct ways. For the verses, I aimed to capture a sense of intimacy with a fast-flowing, spoken-esque style that felt close and tight. In contrast, the chorus was designed to be broad and spacious. All the vocals were triple-tracked and panned left and right, with the main track slightly higher in the mix down the center, all enhanced with textured reverbs. One of my favorite production elements is the elongated "Ooo" vocal over the intro and post-chorus sections. This addition lifted those parts and significantly enhanced the overall vibe.

4. You have a series of live dates lined up, including performances at Madehurst Big Night Out, Ipswich Music Day, and TruckFest. How are you preparing for these shows, and what can fans expect from your live performances of "White Knuckles"?

I'm really looking forward to these live dates! I'll be performing with my full five-piece band, which is always a blast. For a long time, I felt like the set was missing a track like "White Knuckles"—engaging yet not overly high-energy. It feels like a breath of fresh air. I'm especially excited to perform it at my headline show in Norwich on August 9th. VooDoo Daddy's is such a great venue, and the lineup is fantastic. Fingers crossed for a sell-out!

5. "White Knuckles" is now available on all major streaming platforms. As an emerging artist, how important is the role of digital streaming in reaching your audience, and how do you plan to continue engaging with your fans online?

It seems to be becoming more important by the day, doesn't it? Seeing people add "White Knuckles" to their playlists is such an amazing and rewarding feeling for us unsigned artists. My goal has always been to have a full-time career in music, ideally through my own original work. This year is shaping up to be my busiest yet, and I owe much of that to my online audience. The "White Knuckles" campaign alone has included Studio Diaries, Tour Diaries, Live Performances, and more. I take great pride in providing the fans with exciting content to engage with!