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About KxKn Management
KxKn Management was founded by Nick Knowles – an international talent manager with a growing reputation for building careers from the ground up. Before moving into management, he gained award-winning experience with globally respected media brands including Q, MOJO, Kerrang!, Mixmag, and Empire, working at the intersection of editorial, commercial, and audience engagement. Highlights of that exhilarating period included a record-breaking run at Kerrang! Magazine, key roles in the Q Awards, Kerrang! Awards, and MOJO Honours List, and partnerships with global festivals such as Download, Glastonbury, SXSW, The Great Escape, and Iceland Airwaves.
Early Innovation and Media Leadership
He was also ahead of the curve in driving digital innovation – championing the early adoption of social media, introducing some of the earliest uses of QR codes in print in the UK, and helping launch one of the country’s first music-related podcasts.
From Media to Management
He went on to co-manage artists alongside Chris Morrison, whose roster had included over the years Blur, Gorillaz, Thin Lizzy, Ultravox, and The Jesus and Mary Chain, before founding KxKn Management, a boutique company dedicated to developing sustainable, international careers.
Artists and Vision
KxKn Management has built a roster that spans the full spectrum of contemporary music. GusGus, the iconic Icelandic electronic collective now celebrating their 30th anniversary, join a lineup that also includes composer and pianist Eydís Evensen, experimental pop innovator Sunna Margrét, and dark-cinematic songwriter and composer Sóley Stefánsdóttir. Together, they reflect Nick’s cross-genre approach — a strategy that keeps KxKn expanding its reach across Europe, North America, and beyond.
Approach and Philosophy
Known for his mix of strategic vision, hands-on approach, and deep commitment to his artists, he also consults with a tech-savvy, media-driven approach, helping artists, brands and companies navigate the complexities of today’s global music industry.
Driven by Creativity and Connection
What drives him most, though, is a love of the road – being out in the world with his artists, seeing them step onto a stage and deliver an unforgettable show. Combined with his lifelong passion for film, culture, and travel, these experiences fuel his determination to keep pushing forward in what can often be a challenging business, and reinforce his belief that lasting careers are built on connection as much as strategy.
The Meaning Behind KxKn
The name KxKn is a nod to Seattle’s iconic KEXP, a station synonymous with discovery and independence. Like KEXP, KxKn Managment believes the most vital music lives beyond the commercial centre – artists who challenge, surprise, and ultimately reshape culture. This spirit guides the roster: boundary-pushers defined not by genre, but by their ability to move listeners in ways the mainstream rarely does.
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