Apollo 84 Interview

Cementing himself as a mainstay at the top level of house music, Apollo 84’s stomping, driving tech beats have fired the passion of leading labels such as Elrow, Lost, Roush and Viva. In a short space of time this has propelled himself to the forefront of the scene, confirming a 2017 Ibiza residency with Magna Carta & Faction and a Top 20 ranking in Traxsource's Tech House Artist Of The Year at the end of 2016. His own imprint Twisted Fusion, meanwhile, has been going from strength to strength and includes a monthly radio show and global events.

Ahead of his appearance at Egg Presents this weekend, alongside Raffa FL and Martin Ikin, we chatted about working in a record shop, rebranding and his near name-sake nemesis...

Get tickets and more info here.

Where are you right now?

I'm in my studio working on a new techno EP for the end of summer.

Can you tell us about your roots as a DJ and producer? What were your earliest influences?

I started at the age of 16. I was heavily influenced by UK garage at the time, and US house from the likes of Erick Morillo, Jason Jinx and most of the Subliminal label sounds.

You used to work in a record shop. Where was it and how did that help you get where you are today? Do you have any nostalgia for the days of vinyl?

Yes, that's right, it was in Essex. Prior to social media record shops were essential for networking and getting gigs. I still play and buy new vinyl, I don't think i would ever stop. I certainly miss the days of record shops.

What's the link with NASA in your name? Do you also have a Nice And Safe Attitude?

There's no link! Many people think that its something to do with space, but the truth is Apollo is the Greek god of music in ancient times, and 84 is my birth year, that's where the name came from.

Have you had a breakthrough moment – a track or a booking – where you felt 'this is it'? If not, what goals do you currently want to achieve to feel that?

I think the EP on Steve Lawler's Viva imprint was certainly a big moment. It helped me reach a bigger audience and bigger gigs.

What's the ethos behind Twisted Fusion? What is it a fusion of and who are some of the main artists involved?

Twisted Fusion is a forward thinking label fusing underground and twisted sounds. Some of our main artists include Max Chapman, Raffa FL, Leftwing & Kody, Wade and Dale Howard to name a few.

What's next on the release front?

EP wise I've got two forthcoming on Flashmob's imprint and also a techno EP on Metodi Hristov's Set About label, I also have some high profile remixes to do which I can't reveal just yet, and an artist signature series sample pack for Sample State, which I'm looking forward to.

Your RA page seems to have disappeared. Is this an error on their part or are you going off grid?

Yes, I'm disappearing into space haha, No, it's to do with a rebrand, nothing mysterious!

Tell us something about you that your fans won't already know?

I also play guitar and piano.

What three tracks sum up what you're likely to play at Egg.

Toasted is my most recognised track so I think that has to be in there. 

This beast from Jay Lumen and Wade is one of my favourites, there's so much energy and it really sets the crowd off.

And finally a remix me and Max Chapman did for Paul C & Paolo Martini on my Twisted Fusion imprint. It's a pure stomper with lots of percussion.

What does the rest of the day hold after finishing this interview?

Mainly just getting back to finishing off some new music to play at Egg this weekend!

Have you ever been mistaken for Apollo 440?

No, can't say I have. Is this my arch nemesis, ha ha?