February 13, 2017

Meet Apollo Bukowski of Apollo Productions in Woodland Hills

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Apollo Bukowski.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Apollo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Music and entertainment have been a significant part of my life since the beginning. Growing up surrounded by the performing arts, my family pushed me toward singing, acting, dancing, and musical instruments. As I grew up, I began to figure out what I personally loved about music. It was how music carried the ability to bring out emotion, and how having the right music at the right moment adds such beauty and richness. This passion grew into every musical area of my life, and so it naturally shaped what I decided to do with my life. When I started DJing. I quickly drew toward weddings because they’re the place where music integrates with a great story; The story where two people find each other and life leads up to this cumulative moment of friends, family, joy, laughter and love. Tons of emotion, and innate profoundness—And I could help create the soundtrack to this day!? What a joy for me!

My journey as a DJ started off 6 years ago when I noticed my little brother messing around with a program on his laptop called Virtual DJ. I was amazed at how he could manipulate music to such a degree, and control it with only the keys on his laptop. I wanted to give it a shot, and naturally, being the older brother, had to one-up him. I bought an entry level DJ controller and asked my church if they’d let me DJ their college group’s Halloween party. Their answer was “yes”, and by the end of the night, I was anxiously excited to do more than this junior DJ board would allow. So I returned it, purchased a more pro-grade board, and immediately word got out that I was DJing. I first scored casual birthday and house party gigs, which eventually turned into Sweet 16’s and formal parties.

Within 8 months, I DJed and MCed my first wedding reception. It was completely different than what I was used to, and I loved it. There was much to the day that made it special, and I felt honored not only to help make it happen but to be a crucial part in the most profound moments of the celebration. At last, my career officially became playing the right music at the right moment—for a day people will never forget.

Ever since it’s been an exciting ride as countless couples entrust me with the most important party of their lives. And that’s where I am today—still in love with the power of music, and so thankful that I can harness it for positivity, for good, and for love.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Back in 2013, I was hit with an incredibly difficult medical condition. I had caught a rare pneumonia that forced me into the ICU. In there, I had a heart attack and was put on life support. When I woke up, I had contracted another rare disease that attacked my bones and joints. It’s called Adult Onset Still’s Disease and I live with it to this day.

The first 2 years after the onset, I was constantly in and out of the hospital. This definitely hindered my business pursuits, but thanks to a good support team of friends I had help with the physical labor and reestablishing my network.

There were some gigs where I just had to push through—the show must go on! But over time I’ve learned to adapt and conquer. I’ve built up my equipment, setup, and teardown process with a specific thought about how to alleviate strain on my body. It’s even taught me to appreciate things more, to care for things better, and that life is a very precious and delicate thing.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Apollo Productions – what should we know?
Apollo Productions is all about audio and live entertainment for weddings. My wife and I, as newlyweds, understand the daunting task of planning the big day. So we’ve teamed up to think through every musical detail and work with our clients to provide a smooth and comprehensive planning experience. I am extremely proud of the service we’ve developed for clients which grants them enormous insight regarding musical selection, service order, and reception elements – all on their own digital dashboard. They can access it at any time to view progress and customize details while receiving guidance and peace of mind from experts.

My wife, also my production coordinator, connects with our clients, schedules our consultations, and coordinates my team on the big day. I wear several hats as well. As the lead audio engineer, I ensure the officiant and guests of honor are well heard and I collaborate with live musicians to deliver a full-bodied performance. As the master of ceremonies, I conduct the flow and maintain the momentum throughout the festivities. And as the DJ/MC, I ignite friends and family together in celebration and set the stage as they create memories that they’ll look back on forever.

I truly believe what sets me apart from other DJs and entertainers is in the way I approach my job. First off, I decided to eliminate other gigs to focus solely on weddings – allowing me to dive deeper into the meaning behind each element of the day and determine how to compliment that musically. Second, as a musician myself, who grew up playing just about every instrument besides the bagpipes, I have a unique understanding and emotional connection with music. I am not your average DJ who simply switches from one track to the next. I believe these qualities drastically set me apart as an engineer and entertainer that makes the most of wedding day moments—enhancing them and bringing out their full potential.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife is my biggest support and help. She’s my administrative powerhouse and also my day-of help wherever I need it. She also is my second eyes, ears, and heart that helps me keep refining my business and performance.

During my early days of DJing, I was fortunate to get to team up with a friend that would run a full on light show while I played the music. His name is Josh Harrison. We had a great time giving weddings and house parties an epic show. He helped to boost my network.

I’d also like to thank my dad for introducing me to music when I was 5 years old. Without him buying me guitars and other musical instruments and teaching me at such an early age, I don’t know how far along I would be with my passion.

And lastly, I’ve had some great friends that have helped me and continue to help with setup and teardown. They definitely allow me to keep pressing on and get more gigs.

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