Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Apollo (David Hiller).
Hi Dr. Apollo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As one of the few Drum n Bass producers in America, I got my start on Hospital Records with a collaboration with Dip Vertigo. After several singles on Play Me, Bassrush and Viper, My debut album “The Simulation” was released on Ram Records. This was the first album ever released by an American on the label in its entire history. After that I dedicated my life to DnB and to bringing a new sound of Drum n Bass to the US. Recently this has gotten the attention of some of the biggest names in Dance Music. My remix of “Bad Boys” by Marshmello, Trickstar, Lil Jon released on his label Joytime Collective as part of his Roots Remix Pack. I also did a remix for Telykast of their hit “All I Know” that released on the legendary Armada Music. This cemented me in their history as the first American DnB producer to release on the label. I also love collaborating with artists and legends from all over the world like General Levy, BZRKR, Jordan Grace, Pesa One, and Gangsta Boo,. I think as an American, it’s our duty to bring something new to this genre and not just copy the UK/European innovators of DnB. We must be the leaders of a new generation and of an authentic American expression.
Alright, 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?
Making music is one of the hardest things to do but I feel very fortunate to have such an incredible group of creators in my life. People like Skellytn, BZRKR, Reid Speed, LMNOP, MC Dino, Dip Vertigo, and the entire LA DnB crew make my life so fulfilling and they push me everyday to keep going and strive for excellence.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a music producer, for me It’s all about innovation, progress, and staying on the cutting edge of sound and harmony. I feel like if you aren’t pushing something in a new direction it’s just a waste of time. Some of my biggest successes come from pushing myself to invent something completely new but still honor and respect everything that has come before. I was lucky enough to be mentored by Quincy Jones and he was really the one who taught me that. Music is never more or less than you are as a person, so creating is really all about traveling, seeing the world, learning from the people around you and bringing it back home. One of my favorite things I’ve learned about is the Renaissance and about the greatest artists that have ever lived. This has led me to discover and develop techniques based on the golden ratio, Fibonacci, and physics. Some of these ideas based on fractals and self similarity were even recently added to Serum 2 by Steve Duda himself as default presets. Personally being added to the very program that I taught myself how to create music with is one of the proudest moments in my career.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I feel so lucky to have some of the greatest mentors and teammates on earth. My success is all thanks to them. People like Quincy Jones, AR Rahman, Drumma Boy, Lionel Richie, LL Cool J, help me everyday be a better musician and more importantly a better person. I also wouldn’t be here without the rave community that Los Angeles has created. Respect, Insomniac Events, Space Yacht, Xcellerated, and all the people who go to these parties play such a huge role in my life. I wouldn’t be anything without them.
Pricing:
- UKF, Bassrush, Dim Mak, Armada, Drama Club, Play Me, BMG, Ram Records, Joytime Collective, Insomniac, Hospital, Viper, Pilot Records, Metalheadz
Contact Info:
- Website: Olymp.us ([email protected])
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drapollo?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Twitter: https://x.com/drapollomusic?s=21&t=hPHcM3wN7cAtUbDupdeVKg
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/iXPtyKDo8Tjj8RTc7
Image Credits
@hi.gunpowder
@simonsplayyground
