Brixton-based trio kid apollo are making music for the misled generation. Offering moments of contemplation through their lo-fi discography, the R&B-inspired artists have developed a sound that embraces everyone’s vulnerabilities, and unlike many of their contemporaries, music continues to be an outlet for their own feelings.
Comprised of three members, twin brothers Felix and Theo Ratigan and Jimmy HM, kid apollo create introspective music that indulges in dulcet vocals, acoustic guitars and soft beats. The trio have been making art together for the entirety of their adult life, and as a result, they’ve formed an unbreakable bond. Despite all having a hand in the production, there is an overarching cohesiveness that translates triumphantly onto longer-form projects. ‘u the real star’ is their latest offering and it’s their most sophisticated to date.
Tapping into kid apollo’s shared love of hip-hop, the EP sees the trio trust in their talent instead of binding to TikTok-tailored music trends. Released via sweat entertainment, it features additional production from Dom Valentino, a close collaborator of artists like Deema and dexter. The project tackles teen anxieties with a subdued but contagious approach that will have you instantly hitting the loop button of your streaming services.
Standout track ‘leave her’ addresses breakups with a sincerity that feels incredibly relatable no matter your relationship status. Jimmy’s tremulous delivery leaves everything on the line, whilst the tranquilising production packs a sedative punch. It’s an earworm that seems to connect on so many levels, as with the rest of the project.
We spoke with kid apollo about the brilliant new EP, their favourite house party tunes and the best takeaway spots around Brixton.
Hi Kid Apollo, introduce yourselves! Get the people to know about Kid Apollo and the music that you make.
So there are three of us. Felix, Theo and Jimmy. We met each other at a young age and started loosely making music together around age 15/16. Then the last couple years, after leaving school, we’ve just taken it more seriously.
You’ve said previously that you don’t like limiting yourself to one genre, which is definitely evident in your music. However, if you personally had to create a name for the Kid Apollo sound, what would it be in your own words?
Low-lighting music.
You came together over a shared love of hiphop, which influenced you to start making beats from an early age. Were there any artists or scenes in particular that influenced your friendship and shared love of music?
At first, yeah we were mainly on that sorta UK hip-hop space. There were loads of artists, we couldn’t name one in particular but like, it was in the realm of those names which are unfair to just call them rappers anymore.
It’s great seeing male musicians like yourselves, BERWYN, Tendai etc, making more vulnerable music. It feels like this has been lacking immensely over the past five years or so. Is there anything happening in the world that is dictating this change? And from your personal experience, where does the vulnerability come from?
It’s just how we’re feeling, this vulnerable feeling is just often what outweighs the other feelings - so this is what you hear. It’s definitely caused by both everything around us personally and what we see happening further from us.
Let’s talk about ‘u the real star here’, your brilliant new EP, how do you think this new project has elevated your sound and musicianship?
It feels like a more complete and cohesive project which we’ve always thought was important when releasing a body of work, as we’ve learned from other artists that we really rate.
A personal favourite is ‘leave her’, which you recently released a sick video for. How did the track and music video come together?
That song is actually the only song that wasn’t produced at our studio in Brixton. It was cool working in a different space which made for a slightly different sound than we’d usually make. The video was cool, but was definitely the most difficult one we’ve filmed just 'cause it’s only ever the three of us doing everything. It was a lot of working stuff out and all that. It turned out sick though, it was all projected and shot in and around south.
You’re now based in Brixton. Map out the area by your favourite takeaway spot, favourite place to grab a pint and favourite place to boogie.
Best takeaway would be New Tings, Hootananny for a pint and then Brixton Jamm.
You’re at a house party, someone hands you the aux, 9 times out of 10, what are you playing?
Rubbery Bandz - Headie One
What excites you about music at the moment?
Where we’re gonna take it.
Where do you see yourselves and kid apollo in five years time from now?
Slightly generic really, but releasing proper projects/albums that actually stick around, not rushing anything. And obviously doing shows/festivals, but again, not just doing the same thing that everyone else is, make it different.
What’s next for yourselves? Have you got plans to send off 2022 in a big way, or will it be a more chilled-out end of the year for you all?
We’re honestly just straight back in the studio. We’ve already been working on new stuff and slightly changing the direction of the next project sonically.
Comments