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From Smash Hits to Dancefloor Domination: An Interview with Alexis Knox
London-based DJ and producer Alexis Knox is no stranger to making waves in the dance music world. Following up on her recent string of successes, she’s back on Perfect Havoc with a reimagined club banger, “Perfect – Want Some More?” – a collaboration with American rapper and DJ Princess Superstar. Together, they’ve reworked Mason’s 2007 cult classic “Perfect (Exceeder)” into a euphoric Garage House anthem that’s taken the global scene by storm.
Known for her explosive energy and electrifying sets, Alexis has graced iconic stages from Heaven London to Ibiza’s Eden and headlined events for powerhouse brands like Converse and Red Bull. Her music, including chart-toppers like “Higher” and “Sober,” has cemented her status as a rising force in electronic music, gathering millions of streams and spots on Spotify’s top playlists.
As “Perfect – Want Some More?” continues to light up playlists and dancefloors worldwide, we sit down with Alexis Knox to discuss the inspiration behind this latest track, her dynamic partnership with Princess Superstar, and how Perfect Havoc’s forward-thinking vision continues to shape her sound. Dive into the conversation below and get ready to discover what makes Alexis Knox one of the most exciting names in dance music today.
Nocturnal Times: Your new single with Princess Superstar is such a vibe! How did the two of you link up, and what was it like working together?
Alexis Knox: Thank you! I’ve been a Princess Superstar fan since first hearing ‘Perfect Exceeder’ in the 00s. The track has been in my DJ sets ever since I started DJing in 2009. However, it was the beginning of 2023 when I decided to make my own version. I’d seen the track really resonating with people in the club and felt a modern spin on it was needed!
I didn’t know Princess, so I made the bold move to simply DM her on Instagram, my version, suggesting we make it an official release, which she was down for! I was absolutely buzzing because, like I said, I was/am a fan!
Princess sent me her full original top-line for ‘Perfect,’ so it made sense to have fun adding in the lyrics people hadn’t heard in the “Exceeder” version. Naming it “Perfect—Want Some More?” made total sense as we were giving the audience “some more”!
Nocturnal Times: 2024 has been a massive year for live music—what’s been your most unforgettable gig or festival moment? Was there a specific crowd or set that gave you goosebumps?
Alexis Knox: When I was invited to close the Nyx stage at Milkshake Festival in Amsterdam to a crowd of thousands!
Club Nyx in Amsterdam is very close to my heart. Junior, who runs the venue, and all of the other DJs, performers, and clubbers who go there are so magical—the most vibey, fun, colorful group of people with the best taste!
Junior has hosted a stage at Milkshake for a few years and kindly has me close it. Standing in front of thousands of people and feeling that energy from the crowd was indescribable. It’s moments like these that remind me why I love being a DJ. The connection we create through music is powerful, and seeing everyone dancing and singing along was just magical.
There’s something so special about playing at a festival like Milkshake, where diversity and self-expression are celebrated. The Nyx stage had such a vibrant atmosphere, and I wanted to honor that by creating an unforgettable experience for everyone there and playing tracks everyone could reminisce about and relate to!
The closing set is always a pivotal moment, and I wanted to ensure it was a celebration of unity, love, and joy. Seeing people from all walks of life come together on the dance floor, just living in the moment, was incredibly rewarding. I’ll cherish that experience for a long time.
Nocturnal Times: Out of all the tracks you’ve worked on this year, which one feels the most personal or special to you? What’s the story behind it?
Alexis Knox: Over the years, I’ve found myself spending more and more time in Ibiza, and that naturally led me to experience the legendary Pikes. As a long-time George Michael lover, I was eager to check out where Wham filmed “Club Tropicana.”
After my first night there, I was completely captivated; the venue’s rock’n’roll history, combined with its lineup of incredible talent and a cool diverse crowd, made it the perfect spot for my birthday celebration this summer.
I stayed in what used to be Tony Pike’s suite, right above the main dancefloor! After an unforgettable weekend filled with disco vibes, I returned to London, and in the studio, I wanted to channel some of that magic I had felt, which inspired the creation of my disco house record ‘Through The Night.’
Nocturnal Times: Who’s been catching your attention in the scene this year? Any DJs or producers that you think are about to blow up?
Alexis Knox: Forbid! A super cool DJ on the queer scene, and more, also a producer regularly putting on tracks and also remixes that crop up in mine and a lot of my peer’s DJ sets!
I’m really excited to have Forbid joining me on my Ibiza Club Radio show (www.ibizaclubradio.fm) in December. I have a two-hour show nestled between Glitterbox and Defected Radio. In the first hour, I bring my “It’s an Alexis Knox Party” show—good vibe, high energy, fierce fun music—and then a second hour with a curated guest mix from the most exciting DJs. This month, I have Adam Griffin, co-founder of Perfect Havoc, on the show!
Nocturnal Times: Every artist has those ‘pinch me’ moments—what’s been the biggest highlight of your career this year?
Alexis Knox: When I released “Through the Night” Fedde Le Grande very quickly supported the track which was a very WOW moment for me as he’s so iconic!
Also, playing mine and Princess Superstar’s track “Perfect” out in Ministry of Sound at the Perfect Havoc takeover supporting Benny Benassi was a mega pinch-me moment!
Nocturnal Times: Festivals are wild! Have you had any hilarious or unexpected moments while performing this year?
Alexis Knox: So, this year, I’ve been doing IVF! Now anyone who knows the process knows it involves self-administering your own drugs through an injection every evening – no matter where you are at 9pm, you have to do it!
So when I found myself backstage at 9pm in Princess Superstars dressing room at the huge venue Depot Mayfair in Manchester at the Homobloc festival with Confidence Man on stage blaring away I had to go ahead and do my injection – it was a really surreal juxtaposition with Princess Superstar flat out on the sofa after her show and me stood next to her trying to make a baby! Hahaha
Nocturnal Times: You’re constantly balancing studio time and gigs—how do you manage to keep the creative spark alive?
Alexis Knox: For me, the number 1 main thing is rest – if I’m well rested, then it’s all a heck of a lot easier! So if possible, when I’m giving, then not having to be anywhere the next morning is the best policy – I don’t set an alarm, and I just sleep till I’m good and ready – with no guilt! The guilt was the main thing to get over…but when I realised I could be so much more productive in a rested 4 hours than in a tired 9-hour day, it was easy to be logical about lying in!
Nocturnal Times: 2025 is just around the corner. Do you have any big plans or personal resolutions you’re setting for yourself?
Alexis Knox: 2024 has all been about showing up and consistency, so in 2025 it’s how I can intensify and diversify that, with more collaborations, more cities and reaching new audiences!
Nocturnal Times: Looking back, is there anything you’ve learned this year that you’ll carry with you into the next?
Alexis Knox: Everything happens in good time, so trust the process, don’t waste energy beating yourself up about the things you can’t control and focus on the controllable, which is usually just your emotions and your plans!
Nocturnal Times: What’s next for Alexis Knox? Any sneak peeks you can share about what’s coming in 2025?
Alexis Knox: I’m working on a great track called ‘Eagle’ with a really exciting DJ and producer called Husko, it’s a disco house track, after having so much fun playing out ny disco house track “Through the Night” and having it resonate with so many people I was desperate to get back into the studio to rustle up a round 2!
Nocturnal Times: Thank you for your time and looking forward to your journey in 2025.