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Kitchener-Waterloo’s Remembering Apollo are excited to finally present their sophomore EP, Niobe’s Tears, to their fans. In their short two years together, the melodic-metal quartet have built a dedicated fan-base with their debut EP, 2011’s Birth, and their dramatic, bloody live show. With their new EP in-hand and new drummer Tyler Topa on the stool, they cannot wait to show fans just how far they’ve come.
“We felt like we really hit our stride and found our own sound after our last EP,” guitarist Erik Sadler tells me. “We wanted to show everyone what we were capable of. Some songs have been kicking around from our last album’s sessions and were rearranged and dressed up for Niobe’s Tears. We made a concerted effort, going into the studio, to make sure that all the songs were really tight and rehearsed and as (complete) as possible, without stifling (our creativity) in the studio.”
“We recorded the album at Beach Road Studios with Siegfried Meier,” singer Becky Gavin continues. “He’s done so many records, it’s mind-boggling! His studio is an amazing place, out in the middle of nowhere in Goderich. You can just focus on getting amazing performances and not be distracted by anything in the city. Sieg himself is an amazing musician and producer, and we just felt a connection with him right away… we think it really shows in the final product.”
Named for the river of tears wept by one of Greek mythology’s more tragic figures, Niobe, after the murder of her children, Niobe’s Tears is a crisp and dynamic modern metal album. Sadler’s textured Adam Jones (Tool)-style guitar playing creates a lush bedrock (with bassist Beau Ferguson), for Gavin’s alternately soaring and snarling vocals.
“We have a lot of different influences in our band,” Sadler says. “Becky loves pop music, Beau loves lot of punk. I love a lot of atmospheric, guitar-driven music and Tyler is a definitely a metal head. With all those influences kicking around, it can be really hard to get everything under one roof. But we manage.”
“When we first formed it was (because) we all just felt kind of empty without a band,” Gavin adds. “We all met through various online music ads and we got together and it just clicked. We all use music as an escape, and I guess we just needed something to blow off steam with. We’ve had some member changes since then, but we feel complete now. A well-oiled machine!”
The stage is where this machine really roars. Often adorned with bleeding wounds (“Wearing the blood is a way of saying that we are all hurt on the inside, and occasionally it leaks,” explains Gavin), Remembering Apollo thrive on the spectacle of their live show. For their CD release party at Kitchener’s The Hive, they hope to take that spectacle to the next level.
“A great night of craziness!” Gavin enthuses. “Upstairs, we’re having the live performances from amazing local talent, The Dickens, Zealot’s Desire, and the 2012 Arc Battle winners Split The Skye. Downstairs, we’re going to be running a tonne of social media. We’re going to showcase two excellent independent radio stations: Max Ink Radio and Rukus Radio. They’ll be conducting interviews with the bands, as well as broadcasting live to the internet, sharing the event with the world. There’s also going to be coverage from I On Music and Velvet Rope Magazine, and a few booths for local businesses (like Mom’s Tattoo). Hopefully (it will be) a successful and busy night for everyone who is anyone in the local arts scene!” - KW Record
While on tour with my old band; Die Atlantic. We played a few shows with a band called Remebering Apollo. This band was extreamly talented. With such huge passion for the music and an incredible fan base, this band completely blew myself and the rest of the touring bands away. These guys and girl are committed, and have an amazing drive to get where they need to be.
Mitch Bright
Mitch.Bright@hotmail.com
519 897-9987 - Mitch Bright
In my opinion the band "Remembering APOLLO" is one of the hidden gems of the IND'IE industry that actually makes it work. Their music sets an new standard for the IND'IE scene, and their on stage antics compliment a live music show.
If you need any more into.....please call
M-F between 1 and 5pm 519-496-2762
Henry Meyer
Owner
The HIVE - The Hive
"Having worked with the members of Remembering Apollo on various shows over the years I have come to rely on the bands draw and popularity in the local scene. They are a hard working band that steps up each time they are called upon. Courteous and professional have always been traits of the band."
- Cory Crossman, Owner, ARC Cloathing - ARC
March 5th, 2012
To whomever it may concern:
I have had the pleasure of working with Remembering Apollo on two separate occasions –
December 3rd, 2011 and February 18th, 2012 – dates which were a part of Supernova’s Road to
CMW series. Throughout the booking process, the band was amicable, honest, and professional.
Experiencing the band solidified my already high opinion of them – these three guys and one girl
present a musical style which is an attention-grabbing blend of grunge, hard rock and haunting
vocals.
The first opportunity I had to work with them in person was at The Joint in Kitchener on
December 3rd. Due to a miscommunication with the venue, Remembering Apollo ended up
providing their own sound equipment as well as running their own soundboard for the other
bands. Needless to say, Remembering Apollo saved the show, and put on one hell of a show
themselves.
At the second show, at the Hive in Kitchener on February 18th, I was equally impressed. Not only
are they exceptional at interacting with a crowd, I found that they are also capable of drawing
a solid and consistent crowd in their hometown. This, on top of their capability to hold the
attention of a room of fans new and old, is something remarkable.
On a personal note, the band members themselves have the perfect mixture of charisma,
modesty, and bad-ass attitude. They are an absolute pleasure to work with. Over the years
I have met and worked with countless bands, in many cities, and Remembering Apollo
has undoubtedly left a lasting impression. I whole-heartedly recommend experiencing
Remembering Apollo live.
Sincerely,
Michelle Cooney
Senior Promoter, Concerts Department
Supernova | www.supernova.com
T. 416-635-8885 x229
410 Adelaide St W, Suite 200
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5V 1S8 - Supernova
Discography
Birth: 2011 EP
1) Place to Hide
2) Apaco
3) Fire in your eyes
4) Already Gone
Played locally on 100.3 SoundFM and 88.3 CJIQFM
Also on various online Radio outlets such as Rukus Radio and Max Ink Radio
Niobe's Tears: Summer 2012 EP
1) Love is a Lie
2) Like a Brick
3) Coagulate
4) On the Edge Again
5) Switzerland
Also played locally on SoundFM 100.3 and 88.3 CJIQFM.
Distributed to online radio: Max Ink Radio (maxinkradio.com), Rukus Radio (rukusradio.com), IndieToronto 88.1 (indietoronto.ca)
Photos
Bio
When deciding on a name for their second EP, Remembering Apollo went back into ancient history to find a story that they thought represented the collection of songs they had assembled for their second release. They settled on the story of Niobe, whose sons and daughters were killed for her arrogance and her tears filled a river as she turned to stone. The 5 songs selected for their EP were written through a dark time for most of the group. Songs like ‘On The Edge Again’ and ‘Coagulate’ show both musically and lyrically a sense of chaos and confusion that was prevalent in all the members lives at the time. Their music was also therapy for the group and with the addition of bassist Beau Ferguson who breathed new life and inspiration into the group that by the end of the sessions, songs like ‘Switzerland’ and ‘Like A Brick’ show the group beginning to move out of the dark period and realizing what needed to be done to put their lives back together. With a new found confidence in both their music and live performance, Remembering Apollo is working harder than ever to bring their unique brand of progressive gothic grunge and beautiful gruesome live show to a city near you soon!
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