Conversations with Sonny Apollo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonny Apollo

Hi Sonny, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Frederick, Maryland, I was born early and with asthma. My first three years of life were spent on a nebulizer for a good portion of the day. Frederick is a small town. While growing up in Frederick, I participated heavily in the black church: I was in the choir (and at a time, the youth choir director), I was at prayer meetings, I was at bible study, I participated in the writing competitions, I was a part of the drama ministry, and one summer I ran a music workshop sharing what I was learning in school with others from church. I was also very involved in the arts scene in Frederick. I participated in school plays (middle and high school), community theatre, classical concerts, etc. etc. etc.

Somewhere along the way, I had this idea that I needed to be far away from Frederick and everything relating to it, to get to know myself better. I moved to Chicago for college. I chose Chicago because I wanted everyone to consider gas when visiting me. I wanted to be far away. I only did a semester in college, but it was a good experience. I didn’t realize then how impactful Chicago would be on me, as Chicago is still the place I call HOME, no matter where I am. After I dropped out, I moved back to Maryland (this time, Hagerstown). I managed to audition on the weekends in NYC for the time being with the investment of people from church who believed in my talents and my ambition. I would stay at a local shelter around 10th and 11th street and somewhere between the late 30 – early 40’s in avenues in Manhattan. I auditioned for Broadway shows like “The Color Purple”, “The Lion King”, and “In the Heights” during the day, while running the streets with the kids at night- or hanging out at the Lincoln center library and reading through anything I could get access to that was music or theatre or opera related. Imagine, I would take these horrible xerox copied headshots that were stapled to my skimpy resume, and I would walk in trying to audition for these shows and more, thinking I would be hired. I got a callback for a few but because I didn’t “have the build” (above 6 feet), I didn’t get much further. During one of my weekends in NYC, I stumbled in on an opera rehearsal happening for “Carmen” with a local opera company in the city, Amore Opera Company. I told the director I was interested in joining the ensemble, and he auditioned me on the spot in front of everyone. I still remember it, he looked me up and down and said “You sing opera? Do you have an aria?” I said yes and proceeded to sing my aria “Nel cor piu non mi sento.” I was casted in the ensemble! I lasted maybe six rehearsals, before realizing I had no plan on how to stay and sustain myself in NYC. I went back to Maryland for a bit and fell into a bit of depressive hole: my grandfather passed away, I was working a retail job that was ok but not my passion, and I was confused about my next steps.

I got kicked out of my mom’s place, and I lived with my Uncle Greg for a bit before running off to Philly to live with my Aunt Cricia under the guise of “getting my finances in order.” I was wasting more time, in reality. I did manage to meetup with a high school friend named Mac Kennedy. Mac is still influential to me to this day. I mean, in high school, Mac was a virtuoso on the piano, and a brilliant mind. Mac introduced me to David Bowie by playing “Golden Years” from the station-to-station album in the studio. I share this to say that this interaction (and my interactions with a music friend and brother I made during this time named Ish) that would shape the 3 songs that were workshopped at the Uarts Music Studio in Center City, Philadelphia with Mac (keyboards), Ish (guitar), and myself (piano, keyboards, vocals, lyrics, music). About eight months into realizing that being in Philly was not a good fit or serving me, I snuck off to NYC on my 20th birthday. I hopped on a megabus by looking at the driver’s clipboard and using one of the codes on the call list. I was in NYC again! This time staying with my friend and her girl in an SRO in Brooklyn. Crown Heights. I was there for about a week before her landlord caught me walking out of the building. She then informed me and told me “I will pay for anywhere that you want to go.” I told her Chicago. She gave me about $200/$300, and I was off. I took megabus again, this time paying. I made stops in DC, Nashville, and Memphis before finally arriving in Chicago.

My first year back in Chicago was spent at Pacific Garden Mission, a shelter. I met so many great people there but also had so many interesting experiences there that we can save for another time to talk about. Getting caught up in a “prision” like relationship delayed what should have been progressive efforts for me to get on with myself and my why for being back in Chicago. Once that relationship ended, I got clear. I got a job canvassing with Greenpeace. I lasted all of 3 days, ha. Not because it wasn’t a good fit, but because timing! I was canvassing in the Rush neighborhood of Chicago. The Rush neighborhood of Chicago is where the money is! Anyway, I was canvassing outside in the Rush neighborhood, and I noticed that there was a sign on one of the doors of what looked like a restaurant or a lounge. The sign highlighted a weekly lineup of music that played at the venue. On my break, I walked in the venue and ask about booking information for their Sunday’s. The owner of the venue, Alain confirmed there is an opening for Sunday entertainment, and we set up a time for me to come back and play some of my demos and discuss what the venue is looking for on their Sunday nights. So, I got back on my feet with a residency at a hip lounge in Chicago’s Rush Street area, named Jellyfish Lounge (thanks Alain! thanks Joe!). I met so many important people and was dubbed by Jimmy Butler (who played for the bulls at the time) as “The Special One.” Jimmy gave me his blessing. I also met music industry vet Jake Udell at this time who also consulted me for a bit.

I released my first project “Adventures in Paradise,” in 2017. “AIP” was an EP, which was created in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on my friend and engineer Chris’ family farm. I love Chicago deeply, but the summer of 2018 was when I knew it was time for me to leave [in the name of my career]. So, I did. June 2018 was when I made the decision, and I moved to LA in September 2018. Would you know, this was also my first time on a plane in my life?! LA has still been a pretty good experience so far, all things considered. So, where I am today is in LA, DTLA more specifically. Since moving to LA, I produced a nightlife residency named FUNHOUSE that ran in 2019 at the now closed Bang Bang Room in DTLA. I released an album titled “Stimulate” in 2020. I am working on new music now. I stayed active with spot performances and an appearance in a local production of “Merrily We Roll Along” that ran earlier in 2024.

My next performance is JAN29 at Rudolph’s Bar & Tea inside of the Freehand Hotel, with Breaking Sound. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tixr.com/groups/breakingsoundla/events/breaking-sound-la-at-rudolph-s-bar-and-tea-01-29-119831

See you there!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road for me at all.

As mentioned, some of the obstacles and/or challenges that I have faced along the way started as early as childhood for me. I mean, being born with asthma, being the product of a single parent household, and being a young black boy in America presented its own challenges that as a child I didn’t fully realize (how could I?). Coming into my person flaws and all, queer and all, black and all, and man and all has presented obstacles and/or challenges both perceived and realized. Id est quod id est… Experiencing houslessness was it’s own obstacle and /or challenge at the times it happened. I have a roof over my head now though, thank god. I didn’t give up on myself.

My being an independent black and queer male artist in the music and entertainment industry presents its own sets of mental, physical, and financial obstacles and /or from time to time. Then there is just me living in a material reality right now, ha.

I am sorry to have not presented an itemized receipt of my obstacles and/or challenges, haha. Just know that all of the obstacles and/or challenges that I have experienced have gotten me to this point in my life and career.

The road trip has been an experience, I’ll tell you that!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My business is humanity! My business is equality! My business is providing ear candy and safe spaces, sometimes at the same time! My business is my mission statement: to make others feel the way I felt when I first heard Stevie Wonder at age 9. I primarily execute my mission through music, but I have also done it through songwriting (for and with others), through music production (for and with others), through nightlife production, through dance, through acting, through health and wellness, through existing.

I am most proud to still be here on planet earth producing work and being involved in work that I am passionate and enthusiastic about… and to live a life that I am passionate and enthusiastic about.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t know. I am blessed and highly favored, though. Thank god!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linktr.ee/sonnyapollo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonnyapollox
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonnyapollonow
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sonnyapollo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sonnyapollonow

Image Credits
Adán Ramírez for all photos.