Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonny Apollo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Frederick, Maryland, I was born early and with Asthma. My first three years 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, I was at prayer meetings, I was at bible study, I participated in writing competitions.
I was also very involved in the arts, participating in school plays (middle and high school), church plays because my mom ran the drama ministry (context because I didn’t always want to be in the play! Haha), community theatre, classical concerts, 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 then moved to NYC for a bit and auditioned for Broadway shows.
I would take these horrible xerox copied headshots that were stapled to my skimpy resume, and I would walk in trying to audition for Lion King, Wicked, Chicago, Once, etc. I got a callback for a few but because I didn’t “have the build” I didn’t get much further. I stumbled in on an opera rehearsal happening for Carmen with an opera company in the city. I told the director I was interested in joining, 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! I lasted maybe six practices before realizing I had no plan on how to stay in NYC. I went back to Maryland for a bit and fell into a bit of hole: my grandfather passed away, 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 under the guise of “getting my finances in order.” I was wasting more time in reality. 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. I was there for about a week before her landlord caught me. 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 stopping in Chicago.
My first year back in Chicago was spent at Pacific Garden Mission, a shelter.nI met so many great people there but also had so many interesting experiences there that we can save for another time to talk about. Eventually, I got back on my feet with a residency at a hip lounge in Chicago’s Rush Street area. 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 then released my first project “Adventures in Paradise,” which was created in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on my friend and engineer Chris’ family farm. I love Chicago deeply, but sometime last year I knew it was time to leave. I was talking to the bass player in my band at the time about something related to an upcoming performance, and I just blurted out “I’m moving to LA.” I had nothing set up, but I wasn’t going back on my word at all.
I moved to LA in September, and it’s been a pretty good experience so far. I have met some really fun people and had some fun and some not so fun experiences (the damn rain, ha). So where I am today is in LA, DTLA more specifically.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all. As mentioned, some of the barriers that I have faced along the way have been homelessness and having asthma. Being black and being queer has presented barriers at times. Being an independent artist presents its own sets of mental, physical, and financial barriers from time to time. All of the barriers have gotten me to this point. I’m a fighter.
We’d love to hear more 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 profession though is as an Artist and a Producer I work within the Music and Nightlife spaces right now. Right now I have a single out, CLOUDS, that is available everywhere for streaming, download, and purchase.
I will have more singles coming out. I wanted CLOUDS out first because it was something different for me and from me. CLOUDS is a bit bizarre. CLOUDS pulled me out of my comfort zone during creation. I want the listener to feel a little hysterical while listening to the song, to feel like they’re watching a Hitchcock film. The song is a bit manic. I love it. I am grateful for the reception CLOUDS has received thus far. The next singles will be out soon. I am working on my first album of music. The process has been organic. I have been working at the album bit by bit since December 2017, in Chicago.
My first nightlife experience, COMMUNION, opened FEB 24 at The Lash in DTLA. COMMUNION was a dance party for misfits. I wanted a safe space for people like me, people who felt on the outside in LA. I was very pleased with the turnout considering: -a Sunday night, -oscars night, -first party in LA.
The kinds of people who attended COMMUNION identify as queer, freak, punk, or in between (meaning they cover all of those categories). COMMUNION was free. We had a performance by LoreleitheFag and coolchxck was our house dj. I still have memories of the first. With a few revisions, the event will be ready to return in a few months for it’s revival.
My next nightlife experience that is opening is FUNHOUSE. FUNHOUSE will be opening at Bang Bang Room in DTLA (Date TBA). FUNHOUSE is an interactive and inclusive nightlife concept that pulls from vaudeville, nightclubbing, soul train, and the circus and creates an alternative world for guests to step into and have FUN with a their resident community of FREAKS! There will be plenty of dancing, plenty of performances, and plenty of game segments throughout the experience. I am looking forward to opening night! FUNHOUSE also has free cover.
My work prioritizes Queer individuals. And because I am a black queer male my work primarily zeroes in on the Black and Brown Queer individual experience. That’s where I am right now. I want to continue creating spaces where Queer individuals can come together and chat, relax, dance, eat, whatever! Mainly feel safe. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I plan to do. There is more to be revealed over the course of this year and beyond. Keep me on your radar.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Hmm, if I am being honest, I don’t have a favorite memory from my childhood. That is not to say that I had a horrible childhood, it’s just that my favorite memories so far have come from my 20’s.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sonnyapollonow.co
Image Credit:
Mykee Del Mundo, Krue Monroe and Shane Adams
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