Austin artist Lew Apollo has an unforgettable voice that catapults listeners to new heights.
Originally from Barnum, Minnesota, this emerging talent moved to Texas to pursue a career in the music industry.
His EP Jungle was produced by BLK ODYSSY and flows with personal yet soulful lyrics.
New music is flowing from his veins with a mixtape of nine songs titled The World of Lew Apollo Vol. 1 and an upcoming debut record called Sweeter.
Apollo sat down to discuss his musical life before his showcase at the South by Southwest music festival.
JN: (Jerry Nunn) Did you always want to be a singer?
LA: (Lew Apollo) Yes, absolutely. I fell in love with music at a young age. I grew up in a town of 500 people and my older brother was a sports superstar there. I knew I was never going to be as good as him, so I decided on another path.
I picked up the guitar and fell in love with Prince and Bob Dylan. I worked on writing my own music and joined bands. I moved to Austin over six years ago.
JN: How is the music scene here in Texas?
LA: Compared to Minnesota it’s wild and very supportive like a vibrant incubator. I met artists here in town and one was a guy named BLK ODYSSY, who is a huge inspiration to me. He produced my first record and he influenced me to produce my own stuff.
I became a producer in the last couple of years and that's why I’m really excited to get this new record out.
JN: You are an independent musician now?
LA: Yes, but I have management here in town with Traffic Music.
JN: You are not related to Omar Apollo, are you?
LA: No, but he’s a big inspiration as to why I have that name. I'm Greek and Italian. My real last name is very Norwegian.
JN: Do you like girl and red?
LA: Yes, she’s great.
JN: Let’s talk music. “Trouble On My Mind” is a standout track.
LA: Thanks, man. That song is from 2023 when I was first getting established. I was a guitar player for other people before I started singing and writing my own stuff.
I was always a guitar player for other people.
This upcoming album shows how I've really settled into being my own artist. My music is influenced by singer Leon Bridges and the band Jungle.
JN: How would you describe your music to people who haven’t heard it before?
LA: I would describe it as energetic neo-soul. This new record has soul mixed with dance music.
JN: Angie Stone was part of the neo-soul movement and just passed away recently.
LA: Yes. She was part of it along with Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. It has changed over the years and is more hip-hop now.
I take a little of flavor from everything and I don’t know what category to put myself in.
JN: Sometimes, it’s good not to be put in a box. What's your favorite thing to write about?
LA: What comes naturally is writing about my mental health. There have been struggles with that because of trauma and death in my family. I write about the human experience of anxiety and depression. I have always been a blues lover at heart.
JN: Buddy Guy’s Legends is in Chicago.
LA: Yes, I like him and Muddy Waters.
JN: Talk about a legend! When is your new album dropping?
LA: This August in 2025. It will be my debut with a self produced album and I am excited about it. I am planning a tour and the wheels are turning with this new music!