• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • Vouchers
  • Categories
    • Business
  • More
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
Supreme Queen at York Barbican

York musician goes viral after being shared by legendary rock band

Andy Knights covered Muse's MK Ultra.
Friday 5 March, 2021 @ 7.25 pm Things to do Rachel Rogers
Share via...

Every one hopes to get noticed by their heroes, and this dream came true for York musician Andy Knights.

English rock band Muse shared Andy’s cover of their song MK Ultra on their Facebook and Twitter, praising it as ‘such a unique cover’.

Thank you for this @AtticSad, such a unique cover of MK Ultrahttps://t.co/nQkKsq8npI

— muse (@muse) February 28, 2021

Andy is the owner of bar Dusk in York, and has been there for the past 17 years. During lockdown Dusk has been closed.

Andy said when the first lockdown hit “it was like panic. Suddenly having to look after 18 people who had no idea what was going on when I had no idea what’s going on either.

“Then that quickly turned into boredom. In the first lockdown, we did quite a lot of work on the building but the second two lockdowns have just been a waiting game.”

To combat the boredom, Andy took up posting music covers on his YouTube channel ‘Sad little attic boy‘ to “stop myself going crazy”.

He takes guitar-led songs from a range of genres and transforms them into a piano and vocal cover.

Music has always been a big part of Andy’s life, he writes his own music and has played in various bands like Halo Blind – the band toured and released an album. Last year he recorded in Abbey Road studios, just before the pandemic hit.

For musicians who post their work online, it can be difficult to reach people and get likes and followers. This was for the case for Andy – until this week. “It’s been insane,” he said.

Thousands of views

Andy actually knew the cover was going to be shared several hours before the post went live.

Muse had scheduled their Facebook post, which notified Andy that he had been tagged. “I actually found out the night before, and I literally didn’t go to sleep. I was like a four year old at Christmas,” Andy said.

“Then at six o’clock in the morning, I just got up and went for a nine mile walk because I didn’t know what to do.”

YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix vouchers - save 50%
YorkMix Vouchers #ad

In a funny twist of fate the cover may not have happened at all, but a commenter challenged Andy in a different video to cover ‘MK Ultra’.

The video had 400 views before Muse shared it, and jumped to 13,000-plus in three days.

The cover has also gone down a storm in the comments section of the social media posts, and fans have been flocking to the comments on the original YouTube video. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive,” Andy said.

“This is such an awesome version of the song – love it” – Twitter user @andyhighnumber

“Wow. That was moving. Just beautiful” – Twitter user @mistmeadowglen

“Thanks a lot Muse for making me discover this artist!” –YouTube commenter Geoff Skorgs

‘York will be crazy’

Dusk bar in York. Photograph: YorkMix

With the roadmap out of lockdown and the recently announced Budget 2021 there is now hope for the reopening of Dusk.

Andy said: “I thought the budget was much more positive than I was expecting it to be. We will survive.

“I imagine that York will be crazy for the rest of the year. I know personally, I can’t wait to see some friends and go out.

“I still think my biggest concern is that they seem to be taking us 100% out of restrictions before probably any of my staff have the vaccine.”

So what’s next? “I don’t know now what the future holds,” Andy said. “I didn’t know whether this would carry on after the pandemic, but I feel like now it’s given me such an impetus and maybe

“I will carry this on and try to get somewhere with it. I do still write my own stuff as well, so at some point I want to try and start getting that out.”

Andy also has ambitions for performing some live YouTube gigs and getting his music onto Spotify.

From his song being shared to a wider audience he hopes there will be opportunities like co-writing music or being approached to play in a band.

“Maybe it gets picked up somewhere to be in a cool indie film or something would be amazing. The thing that would be best for me now is to try and get it synched into films or adverts. The John Lewis Christmas advert maybe?”

It would definitely have my vote.

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2022 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT