ARN: How did you come up with a stage name?
Jonni Apollo: Its a real life event that changed my life forever. Jonny (Jonni), myself, I Am an ordinary person that lives an ordinary life, except my passion, dreams, and life goals to become successful with music. I had another stage name, i2j which stood for “I’m Just Jonny”. Like I said I am an ordinary person and if I do grow a fan base I want them to call by my comfort name. Some people have comfort food, well I have a comfort name. Anyways, Jonny is my real name except the character ‘i2j’ brought me great things for my music. i2j was me in the I don’t know what, or who I am phase but some great accomplishments happened under that alias.
That was it though I was done with the alias. During this time I was at my most depressed, and I actually had quit music. I made a post about it and everything. Its still up to remind me how far I have come. During this time I fell upon Greek Mythology, or I should say Greek Mythology fell upon me. I can not give everything away in one interview, but Jonni Apollo was born.
ARN: Who would you say inspired you the most, as an artist?
Jonni Apollo: My uncle Louie for sure hands down. He put me in front of my first drum set. He bought me my first LEGIT drum set from Guitar Center. He help save my life, because if it wasn’t for music I would have been locked up, in an insane asylum, or dead. I remember my Tio Louie playing the drums, and I would think to myself, “Dang, (Well I said Damn, but if my mom reads this than she’ll know I was cussing at a young age lol), I want to drum like my uncle. I still can never touch his skill… He can take out some of the best drummers we know of EASY! Ill put money down on that. To me my Tio Louie is a legend, and will be the best drummer to ever touch a drum stick. Side note, I use to put him as my hero when I was a young kid in elementary. Except instead of drumming with drum sticks Ive learned how to drum with my words.
ARN: Talk me through your creative process.
Jonni Apollo: I love to write in the morning time, or super late/early. Its when I feel my most creative. I don’t know why, but if I get up clean my room, do my morning routine, and than put a beat on.. that’s a wrap..literally lol… I enjoy meditating, but not sitting down, I like to meditate while I clean my room. I was taught meditating is to quiet your mind which that’s a form of meditation. Another form of meditation is to center your thoughts, and focus on those thoughts, because those thoughts are the task at hand. Than its off to writing, recording, and than answering emails etc etc.. I run my own career pretty much. So I have my creative arts side, and creative business side. We are talking about Art this time. I wont go into the other side.
ARN: Do you remember the first rhyme you wrote?
Jonni Apollo: I don’t remember my very first rhyme, because i started song writing at the age of 13, so I would try and rhyme my lyrics, but at that age I was listening to All genres of rock. It was intended for singing, but who knew that writing Rock songs would help me in the future separate myself from the rest.
ARN: Have you heard the theory that some musicians write their best music while they’re depressed or going through a bad time?
Jonni Apollo: I can full contest to that, and I don’t think its a theory. Well at least not for me. Chains From Apollo was written when I was going through my depression. Which lasted a year, so for a year I would wake up and be afraid, not wanna get out of bed, and so on… I just lost my baby mama, I lost my best friend, I lost my daughter for two weeks… I didn’t know what to do.. I had posted a few months back from this date that I quit music, so I cant write music… I said I quit… but I broke down… I cried and cried… Thus Chain From Apollo was born… that’s also a follow up on how I got my name Jonni Apollo.. “Awakened By The Gods Than I’m Greeted With Chains From Apollo”… That song has so much deeper meaning yet its being perceived the way I dreamt of it. So that statement stands correct. Just don’t lose your mind. Depression is a scary place, and I don’t really suggest anyone to fight it by themselves. I had One person who was there for me, and I am forever grateful for him.
ARN: What’s the best advice you ever received?
Jonni Apollo: “If you are going to make this a business than make it a business. Music itself is not going to make money, its the bi-product, and the product is you.” At this point I knew I had this whole thing NOT FIGURED OUT. I was going in the wrong direction, but no one wanted to say anything.. I don’t know why, but whatever. Shout out to the OG Frank aka Big Lyrik, for always keeping it 100 with me. Follow him @thebeerdadshow he does some cool drinking stuff. Love you Lyrik!
ARN: What’s your latest release?
Jonni Apollo: Afieromeni Stin (Dedicated To) – 1 minute and 52 seconds of dope music. The song is fully Dedicated To my daughter Zara Jeanne. She has brought me so much new inspiration, and drive. I keep photos of her by my microphone to remind me that QUITTING is not an option. I want to be able to achieve my dreams, so than I can tell her to never quit her dreams, and be a living example of “Never Give Up”
ARN: Who do people say you sound like?
Jonni Apollo: Ive been published on a lot of site, but Three of the most Biggest- Music Observer, NY WEEKLY, and MUSIC INDUSTRY WEEKLY, all said the same thing. I don’t sound like anybody, and I really don’t. I am my own genre. I am my own sound.ITS -DEITY MUSIC- AND YOU’VE NOW BEEN CHAINED BY APOLLO- Its modern day Hymns to Apollo. Its shedding light, its Jonni Apollo.
ARN: Who influenced you most through out your career?
Jonni Apollo: To be honest I did. Nobody wanted to listen to my raps, but i didn’t care. I still wrote them. I still kept writing, and free-styling, and what gave this all a kick start was battle rapping. YouTube search “Jonny Rymez”, and I’ll pop up! I have always been the one to push myself, and I will always be the one to push myself.
ARN: What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want to be remembered?
Jonni Apollo: A loving Father. Yeah the legacy of music will be cool, and all but to be known forever as a father who loved his kid(s), I want a couple more kids. A Husband of honor, loyalty, and love. I want to be forever known as the young boy who became a man, never gave up his dreams, and supported his family all the way.