Glocally Newark

Apollo Heights is scheduled to perform for Thursday’s Launch event (I hope you guys have been commenting to win tickets!) so of course we think you might want to know more about them. Maybe you heard their cd, White Music for Black People or seen them perform before, but for me I’d never heard of them. I was extremely interested in speaking to them and getting to know their sound and inspiration.

Apollo Heights was formed by twin brothers Danny and Daniel and has grown since then. I won’t give you their concise history for that you’ll have to check out their myspace page, www.myspace.com/apolloheights but I will tell you what I found out. This was definitely an interesting interview & I hope you enjoy!

Cleo: So tell me, if I’ve never heard your music before how would you describe it?
AH: Ah… well it might be easier to describe what its not. It’s not any funk/rock hybrid. It’s kind of romantic yet sad sounding. It’s pretty but ugly. It’s writing from the prospective of the underdog.

Cleo: Interesting.. very interesting
AH: We don’t have drummers. It’s 4 guitarist.

Cleo: Seriously? no drums? NO other instruments?
AH: Well, sometimes there’s keyboards. But nope, no drummers.

Cleo: Wow. That’s something I’ve never head of before. I’m intrigued. Have you ever performed in Jersey before, or more specifically Newark?
AH: No, never in Jersey before, well not as Apollo Heights. Back when we were The Vedlt we used to perform at the Stone Pony.

Cleo: Really. Interesting. I’m from the town where the Stone Pony is. I heard that used to be a really great spot. So are you excited about performing in Newark?
AH: Well I don’t know what to expect.

Cleo: Is that a good thing?
AH: Yeah, that’s a good thing. We like to perform for different types of crowds.

Cleo: What’s your favorite part? Performing or being in the studio recording? I’ve heard many artists take a lot of pride in performing.
AH: Definitely, lots of pride in performing [gosh darnnit].

Cleo: So what inspires you when you write?
AH: It’s … an answer to all the cliches with people trying to put you in a box. I’m fascinated with people who aren’t genuine.

Cleo: Sounds really really cool. So who do you listen to?
AH: The Horrors… Broken Social Scene

Cleo: Broken Social Scene, that sounds cool. I’ve never heard of that.
AH: Yeah, they are cool. They have a song, Lovers Spit you should check out.

Cleo: Definitely noted, I will check them out (and I really did!!)

I don’t know about you guys, but my interest is definitely sparked. I did go over to their myspace after the phone interview to check out a few of their songs. I didn’t want to do it before because I didn’t want any pre-conceived notions. I think their sound is cool, but then again I’m really into guitars in songs even though I suck at instruments. If you check them out and like they do have an EP coming out in the fall titled Nothing will be Alright and they will also be performing at the upcoming Afro-Punk festival in Brooklyn. I look forward to meeting them on Thursday, along with some of you!