Apollo Junction - By the River
By Daffs aka @TwoDaff
First off, I thought I would give you a whistle stop intro to the fantastic Apollo Junction…
Hailing from my hometown, Leeds, Apollo Junction are an alternative rock band and can be described as a modern-day brit pop outfit. Consisting of Jamie Williamson (Vocals), Matt Wilson (Guitar), Ben Hope (Bass), Jonathan Thornton (Drums) and Sam Potter (Keys) they have built up a large following playing to fans across the country with their unique brand of music without conforming to the norm, creating a movement of real music loving fans from all backgrounds. Their music is relatable and shows the power of live bands today.
The band hit the scene when they opened the main stage at Bingley Music Live in 2015 followed by the mercurial Isle of Wight Festival in 2016. Their debut single ‘Begin’ received a multitude of accolades and received airplay on BBC Radio 2 and Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6 it also featured as part of the soundtrack to Ubisoft’s 2020 Watch Dogs Legion game and has appeared as part of the soundtrack to MTV’s ‘Are you the one’, ‘Tattoo Fixers’ and the Netflix show ‘The Circle’…phew
If that wasn’t enough in 2018 the band appeared live in session on the BBC with Janice Long who has been a long-standing fan of the band. In May 2018, the band performed at Leeds United F.C. football ground Elland Road alongside Kaiser Chiefs, as part of the Josh Warrington IBF boxing bout. The single ‘In Your Arms’ was released in June 2019 which was used as part of the soundtrack to the Match of the Day 2. The band also appeared in session on BBC Music Introducing.
In September 2019, the band released their debut album ‘Mystery’ which was announced on ITV news, where the band appeared and were interviewed. In 2020 the band released a further 3 consecutive singles, 'Forever', 'Sometimes', and 'Borderlines' all receiving great reviews whilst receiving support collectively across BT Music TV, Amazing Radio and BBC 6music. In 2020, the band had also announced they had been signed by local label Shed Load of Records for a re-release of a limited-edition vinyl of their debut album "Mystery" which was released in the Autumn of 2020.
In January 2021, the band released their sixth single 'On the Ropes' which has received airplay from Radio X, BBC introducing, BBC 6 Music which Steve Lamacq. The song also has been endorsed by Allison Hagendorf at Spotify which was playlisted across a number of official Spotify playlists including “New Noise” and “New Rock”.
Following the coronavirus pandemic, Apollo Junction’s momentum continued returning to open up the Big Top Stage at the Isle of Wight festival and supporting the Kaiser Chiefs for 2 nights at the Piece Hall in Halifax and then supporting the Pigeon Detectives on a string of sold-out shows, plus performances booked for Bingley Weekender, CarFest, Pub in the park, and then their biggest headline shows to date at Leeds Warehouse on followed by a string of UK dates.
Fast forward to 2023 and they are back, not resting on their laurels and giving us yet another glorious track that is sure to feature on many playlists and is sure to be adored by old fans and without doubt quite a few new ones.
By The River released on February 10th marks the beginning of the campaign for album 3 (due out in September 2023). This follows the release of the bands second album in 2021, ‘All In’ which peaked at number 15 in the UK Charts and 3 in the Alternative Music Charts. Selling over 1,200 copies on vinyl from their record label in Leeds called Shed Load Records.
Melodic, atmospheric, almost haunting
I have to say I love this track, it has a synth pop 80’s feel upon opening, its melodic, atmospheric, almost haunting before the vocal lifts the whole thing giving it an edge and an undeniable swagger. Its powerful. It’s Apollo Junction at their finest with an indescribable twist and for me that makes this track stand out. I would go as far as saying that already this will be one of the songs of the year, but that’s just my opinion.
Apollo Junction at their finest
The chorus soars, taking everything up a couple of notches, raising the hairs on the back of your neck and sending goosebumps scattering across your back, it hits hard, the lyrics are fantastic, simple but 100% effective “And I’ll defend you to the death until there’s nothing left inside” and “From a time that’s been and gone, that says wake up your alive"
The keys add splashes of colour
It’s packed with melodies, uplifting and catchy, with an infectious beat, it’s not a 100miles an hour guitar driven frenzy…its way more than that, the keys add splashes of colour against the backdrop of the textured guitar and bass grooves backed up with a snappy drum beat. The vocal meanders in and out of the soundscape (much like a river) swirling and inviting you in.
Textured guitar and bass grooves
It’s a track that for me has everything. For me its their best to date and that is saying something when you listen to their back catalogue. The album should be immense if this track is anything to go by, I hope to get to see Apollo Junction live soon because this track alone would be worth it. Bring on the album!
As a footnote Apollo Junction like to do things a bit different, as I said they don’t conform to the norm, they strive to give fans a memorable experience, recently, the band took a coach of fans to the highest venue in the UK for a sell-out show, they performed a show in one of the most haunted buildings in the UK, played in brewery (and proved that they can organise the proverbial …) and are soon to play on a steam train (the next mad idea dreamed up by the band’s record label). You only have to look at the bands social media to see how passionate their fans are.
You can find out more here
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