Kid Apollo
Up n’ Comin’ NI is happy to present this week’s artist, Rory Mullan, better known as Kid Apollo, from Derry. “I write, record, produce and mix all my own music, and usually do my own artwork and promo material as well- I’m very DIY.”
Rory has, like many musicians, grown up surrounded by music. “There was always lots of great music being played in my house. Since my teens I’ve been obsessed with finding new artists and bands to listen to, so music has always been a constant and essential thread running through my life.”
There can be a big difference between your favourite artists and the ones that have inspired your musical journey. While Rory said “I have so many” in terms of favourite artists, he went on to say, “the most influential in shaping my taste has to be Damon Albarn from Gorillaz. He’s incredibly prolific across a range of genres and has made such creative and innovate songs that are catchy as hell. I just really resonate with him.”
“I think I have my own sound and vision in music. Others may not necessarily like it, but I don’t think they can say I sounds like everyone else!”
“Make what you want to make and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.”
Rory’s songs don’t necessarily have a specific structure or vibe, but he says that the songs normally centre around a pop, rock or indie genre. They also normally consist of a strong melodic idea, “which I think is essential.”
While it is described as the songwriting process, often, you receive inspiration when you’re least expecting it. Rory says, “It’s usually a melody or song that will pop into my brain when I’m out or at an inconvenient time. Then, it’s a matter of hurriedly making a voice memo on my phone, rushing back to the house to record it and then spending the next 6-18 months fretting over the mix.”
As these ideas can be rather spontaneous, most musicians prefer working alone, and Rory is no exception to that. “Most of the time it’s easiest to get things done alone and you don’t have to wait around for people. With that being said, there is a certain kind of magic that comes with collaborating or playing with like-minded musicians.”
“Most of my music is a kind of free therapy where I just take something I feel strongly about and make a song out of it.” Life is a brilliant form of inspiration for music writing as there is always something happening! When I asked him if he would like to share a specific example, he said, “It’s probably best that I don’t give specifics lol” and I think many of us can relate!
“One of my recent singles ‘The War on Trees’ got featured in Hot Press a few months back. I remember having this moment of perspective, realising that something I made entirely in my bedroom was being listened to and reviewed by a credible publication… woah!”
While it can be difficult to take a recorded song and work out how that would sound in a live gig, Rory said, “I’m trying to get into a habit of it more recently. I started gigging solo for the first-time last summer and it’s been great. I’m searching for a full band to really bring my songs to life. So, the current live formation is currently in transition!” If you are based in Derry and keen to play in a band, why not get in touch and set something up?
Rory said that his favourite gig to date was the first solo gig that he played last summer in Sandinos Bar in Derry. As well as being one of his favourite bars, he also said that “lots of friends and family were there and I got to bring the songs to life on stage. It was great!”
Make sure you follow him and keep up to date with all his songs, events and gigs:
Instagram: _kidapollo
Facebook: Kid Apollo
Spotify: Kid Apollo
YouTube: _kidapollo
TikTok: kidapollo8
Twitter: KidApollo1
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