Winnipeg, Manitoba based Apollo Suns are a two-time Western Canadian Music Award-winning jazz ensemble dedicated to respecting the musicians and the history of their genre. Thediverse group of musicians, nine in total, include BIPOC, non-binary and queer artists, who have extensive backgrounds in music education, including one member being a graduate of Juliard.Both Apollo Suns debut and sophomore EP’s spent time in the top 20 on Earshot’s National charts, and their national tours draw crowds of all ages. As they gear up to release their third EP later this year, the group will be releasing their first single from the project, called “Lake Country” on September 24 2021.
With an in-depth understanding of the way jazz’s melodic and harmonic sensibilities influence today’s music, the Apollo Suns have a unique way of blending the old with the new. Their upcoming single was recorded at Winnipeg, Manitoba’s legendary Paintbox Studios. “Lake Country” was mastered by Jaime Sitar (Randy Bachman, Dan Mangan) and was produced by Keith Price.
About “Lake Country”:
Written as a love letter to British Columbia, “Lake Country” was created as an ode to the province that most quickly embraced the group outside of their hometown of Winnipeg. The song was written three years ago following a hike to a local lake while the group was on an unplanned day off from touring in B.C. The uplifting chord structure aims to inspire imagery of lakes – peaceful and pleasant while also full of movement and chaotic at times. With its heavier choruses meant to invoke a wave-like feeling, and intentionally patient solo sections, “Lake Country” aims to paint a picture of the beauty and inspiration found in lakes with their incredible melodies.
The Apollo Suns are a young group of majority trained jazz artists who have an incredible amount of respect for the genre. With all but one member receiving a formal music education, the group has set out to honour traditional jazz music, educate themselves and others about the origins and importance of the musical style, and embrace the modern side of the classic genre. Known for their live performances attended by all ages, Apollo Suns are growing in popularity at home and abroad, notably being signed to US record label Color Red for their upcoming album and with a variety of American agents for their future tours.
Lake Country is our love letter to British Columbia and a tribute to our second home. This song was written on an unexpected day off while on tour in British Columbia during a summer tour in 2018. Our original drummer, Ethan, was living in a suburb of Kelowna called Lake Country and it is a beautiful spot in the Okanagan. We set up in Ethan’s home studio, plugged in and out came the four-note melody that inspired the song. BC was one of the best places outside of Winnipeg, and this song is the best way we could express it. – Apollo Suns
Biography:
Apollo Suns are an exciting band out of Winnipeg who are not afraid to walk a fine line and pave their own musical path to success and into the hearts of music fans all over Canada. Born from the fusing of nine Winnipeg, MB based musicians, Apollo Suns have created a refreshing and innovative sound and live performance combining instrumental, jazz, rock and psychedelic music. They were awarded “Instrumental Artist of the Year” at the 2018 Western Canadian Music Awards and for a second time in 2020.
Their debut EP, Each Day a Different Sun, was released April 2017 followed by a Western Canadian tour in support of the release. They have since been through Western Canada twice and Eastern Canada once. The album spent seven weeks on the Earshot! National Top 50 charts with its top position at #15. They followed the debut with the sophomore EP, Dawn Offerings, in late April of 2019 with two sold out shows in their hometown of Winnipeg, MB. The release was followed by multiple tours and festival showcases across Canada to support the album. The album reached number #7 on the Earshot! National Top 50 charts.
Apollo Suns are now getting ready to release their third EP, A Relationship of Force, for the Fall of 2021 and this will be their first release on USA based record label, Color Red. While navigating the pandemic and pivoting their release plans, the band produced and released several online concerts and new singles and videos. The winter of 2021/2022 will see them stepping into NO FUN Studios in Winnipeg, MB with Juno award winning producer Ben Kaplan (Five Alarm Funk, Bootsy Collins, Snoop Dogg, Mother Mother, The Rare Americans) to work on their next album.
Some of their most notable shows include support slots for The Comet is Coming, The Brooks, Anomalie, Mariachi Ghost, Five Alarm Funk, Blonde Diamond, Kobo Town, and Bend Sinister; as well as showcases at Canadian Music Week, Winnipeg International Jazz Fest, Big Fun Festival, Golden Sound Music Festival, Calgary Stampede, Ness Creek Festival, Festival Du Voyageur and Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
The group recently signed with US agents John Lares of Cielo Agency based out of California and Matt Dolliver of Loose Leaf Talent Agency, based out of Vermont, they will be continuing to build markets in the USA during 2022/2023.
Connect with Apollo Suns:
Website: www.apollosuns.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apollosunsmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollosunsmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApolloSunsMusic
Bandcamp: https://apollosunsmusic.bandcamp.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpvXHScJFGhuR21Tn952_A
