DIY band Apollo Junction's album amid top 40 mid-week; need music lovers to keep them there

"It's unbelievable," said lead vocalist Jamie Williamson. "Absolutely mind-blowing!"

After all, the band's label is a one-man operation run out of a shed in the garden. Their music doesn't get widespread mainstream radio play. There's no big marketing budget, or team to speak of. That is unless one counts the contingent of merch-clad fans who happily joined the lads at their pop-ups over the weekend, handing out grayscale flyers to passers-by, and occasionally getting cussed out by strangers for their efforts.

For the DIY band – and the devoted supporters who stand behind them – sitting even briefly among perennial chart fixtures the likes of Queen and Oasis is a staggering, expectation-smashing feat. It’s a position that reflects years of relentless grind and a declarative statement befitting the album’s title: Here We Are.

Now, the band are keen to remain there.

"We know what happens now," said Williamson, noting that good mid-week placement is no guarantee of final placement. In fact, there's an almost inevitable slide for independent artists in the back end of the week when the existing support base is tapped out, there are no mass streaming numbers courtesy of big playlist placement, and there isn’t any money to throw behind a mass campaign to reach new receptive ears. “We’ve seen it recently: Incredible albums from fantastic artists with larger teams than we’ve got have tumbled down the rankings before week’s end.”

Even rising artists with big names behind them and international arena tour experience – and no day jobs to return to after weekends full of 16-hour album promotion days – haven’t held up against the corporate music machine of late. But if anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be the little band from Leeds who share such a special bond with their followers that the latter have adopted the moniker the “AJ family”.

“We know who got us here,” said Williamson. “We honestly cannot believe how far we’ve come and we 100% know the reason is down to our people.”

Indeed, many fervent followers have already assembled a collection of a dozen or more copies of the album in various formats. Many more have provided vocal support online, doing their level best to spread the word and keep Apollo Junction top of mind during this critical week. It would seem they want a well-deserved top 40 album for their band, possibly even more than the guys themselves do.

“All we want is as many people as possible to hear our music,” said guitarist Matt Wilson, describing the chart push as an invaluable way to get some momentum. “We’d regret not trying.”

As they round the final bend relying purely on graft and word of mouth, the band need the full force of the broader music community to get behind them, now more than ever. “It’s the final push, the final hurdle,” said Williamson. “We’d be over the moon to hit that Top 50. Please go for it if you can. Spread the word. Grab a copy. Download and stream the album. Every single copy counts.”

Brimming with searing new wave synth-pop and liberally seasoned with rock sensibility, Apollo Junction’s third album tells the story of being a band in a turbulent world. While not everyone can identify with such experiences, the album will resonate profoundly with all who have, at times, felt knocked down by life and yet dare to nurture fresh hopes and renewed dreams.

“2022 was quite a challenging year for us as a band,” says drummer Jonny Thornton. “That kind of went into the record, in a positive way. There’s a little bit of our soul in each of these records.”

With glimmering instrumentals and soul-stirring lyrics, ‘Here We Are’ sees Apollo Junction extend a hand to lift those who feel disappointed or alone, issue a stirring call to action to those in need of a push from behind, and celebrate the special people that stand beside us through thick and thin.

“We are nothing without the people who support us; the team around us and the AJ family,” says lead vocalist Jamie Williamson. “This collection of songs is for the moments that we’re looking to share.”

Speaking of which, the band will kick off an 8-stop UK tour in Blackpool this Saturday, October 28, with a uniquely Apollo Junction twist. The band have hired a coach, which will take a few dozen supporters from Leeds for a daytime seaside adventure, and an intimate HMV in-store appearance prior to the evening’s gig (for which a few tickets remain).

“We thought, let’s do it in an Apollo Junction way,” says Williamson. “It’s about being together. It’s going to be brilliant.”

Several album purchase options (including £5 deluxe CD and £3.99 iTunes digital version) and tour tickets can be found here.

Apollo Junction is a dynamic indie-pop band hailing from the heart of the UK. Known for their infectious melodies, electrifying performances, and genuine connection with their audience, they are on a mission to redefine contemporary music. With a sound that seamlessly blends anthemic rock and catchy pop, Apollo Junction’s music is a testament to the magic of music that transcends boundaries.