Interview with Kid Apollo

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today? 

I was always into music from as long as I can remember. I’ve got a wonderful day job, but If I wasn’t also doing music alongside it, there would be an unbearable amount of time spent sitting on my hands and further developing my early onset sciatica. 

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

When not playing or making music, I’m either:

Listening to music - does bits for my creativity

Exercising or walking in nature - highly inspiring for the creativity

Photography - another top tier creative activity

Drinking - it’s a mixed bag really

Fretting about not playing or making music - generally quite unhelpful towards the whole process

How long have you been making music?

About 5 years, give or take. Only been releasing it under Kid Apollo for 2 though!

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I’m born, raised and based out of Derry, Ireland. It’s an amazing town full of lovely, friendly people that’s had a terrible time of it in the past. Maybe that’s why my music has sad lyrics with generally upbeat melodies. You have to love a bittersweet contrast.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I’ve only played solo this side of the pandemic, but my vision for a live show is a full backing band - drums, bass, guitars, keys, the lot; producing the most eclectic sound possible. Maybe one day whack a 4 piece orchestra in there for good measure.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Really buzzed off playing the upstairs bar in Sanindos in Derry during the Summer. As for where I’d want to play? Everywhere. Give me all the places.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Would love to play as part of a big Summer festival lineup - beers, long sunsets and great vibes. I’d wedge myself into a smorgasbord lineup with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, St Vincent, Florence + the Machine and Tame Impala. Not that I’m anywhere in the same league as them, but you did ask. 

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

It’d be the same piece of advice to both - if you want to do it, just do it. Get it done and get it out. Go with your gut and just worry about opinions after. Keep it consistent - as we say in Derry, ‘keep ‘er lit.’

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

Practically impossible to choose which means the most - but Wrong Foot Forward sticks out in my mind as a turning point. I realised I wanted to do a ‘soft reboot’ of my sound and go a different direction with production, lyrics, the whole shabang. 

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Smokescreen is cathartic to me and also fun to play. Catching Buses seems to get most people moving!

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

My creative process usually consists of getting song ideas at inopportune times, desperately keeping them in my head long enough to write something down or record it on my phone, and then trying to recreate it for weeks and months on Logic. As for inspiration, I just imagine songs that I would like to listen to that my favourite bands/artists haven’t actually written. I imagine I’m them, writing this song. I suppose that’s either inspiration or poor imitation. 

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them?

I don’t intentionally place any messages (either outright or subliminal) in my music, and I don’t like getting too political or on-the-nose either. I usually just vent whatever’s troubling me emotionally and let it work its way into the lyrics. It’s free therapy, and is also quite funny/fulfilling hearing other people sing your woes back to you. 

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I’ve already started working on the next EP and am planning a mix of live performances and streaming performances. Watch this space.

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

Mainly Instagram - @_kidapollo 

And TikTok - @kidapollo8