We first introduced you to Hot Apollo back in January of 2023 with the release of Baby Lord and recently we were stoked when lead vocalist and songwriter Jaymes Buckman was able to indulge us with a few of our most burning questions hot off the heels of their new album Tempest Rock.
We talk about having a confident stage presence, how fashion impacts a performance and perfect summer days in today’s Spotlight interview.
CF: I know bands love talking about how they settled on their name so to get started, where did Hot Apollo come from?
JB: A high school friend named Hart Needles suggested it from a Beat poem he liked called “The Shrouded Stranger”, and it resonated with my love of mythology.
CF: While listening to your new record my head went in all sorts of directions. At times, vocally you remind me of Joey Ramone and then over on a song like “Fistigons” I get heavy B-52 “Rock Lobster” vibes, so I’m curious a bit about your own influences and inspirations. Who does Hot Apollo listen to in their spare time?
JB: I’m foremost inspired by what’s in my soul. In my spare time, some top artists outside of Hot Apollo include T. Rex, Iggy, and Gorillaz.
CF: Tracks like “Live My Love” and “Seraph Hold Shake” were early favourites of mine on this album, they’re super catchy and they get you moving and in a way that’s not intimidating. It’s almost like they give assurance to that old phrase “dance like no one’s watching” or to quote Men Without Hats, “you can dance if you want to.” When you write music like this, what are you hoping the listener gets out of the experience?
JB: A HIGH dose of manic magic and maybe a glimpse into my soul.
CF: Developing a unique stage presence is something few are able to hone in on effectively, but you’ve definitely got one. Who are your favorite performers, the ones that made you go, “hey, I want to front a band like that?”
JB: I liked how Iggy Pop was basically all stage presence despite not being a classically talented musician. And early Axl Rose with the hips and hair.
CF: How important is your fashion style or clothing choice when it comes to performing? Do you find that your outfit choice at all impacts the way you approach a performance? If so, how?
JB: Like my stage presence, my fashion is just how I am onstage and off. It’s Jaymes.
CF: “Give Me Magic” is a bit of an outlier on the album with all the other songs being pretty upbeat, dancey rock tunes, but I love the mellowness of it. It’s like a soothing summer day. What’s a perfect day look like to you?
JB: Spending time with people important to me. Preferably in warmth. Probably dancing at some point.
CF: I feel a little stupid asking this because I only really ever see you performing vocally, but you play instruments as well? Do Hot Apollo songs start as a solo production that you compose yourself or do you bring your ideas to others?
JB: I play just enough of guitar and piano to help with riff construction, but I leave the actual playing to the instrumental virtuosos in the band while I focus on singing and exploding like a maniac.
CF: Do you set aside time to write or do you wait until inspiration hits?
JB: Inspiration’s always hitting.
CF: Why should people come to a Hot Apollo show, what’s the general atmosphere like? Come for the blue hair and shiny pants, stay for the ____ ?
JB: Wild, mystic, positive vibes and perhaps the way the lyrics hit you when you’re listening.
CF: You come across as very self assured no matter what you’re doing and you’re very good about encouraging others to be who they are and express themselves as well. Have you always had this confidence or did it take some time to grow into?
JB: It grew partially as a way to drown out the constant insecurity.
CF: What advice would you give the shy kid in high school right now who is having trouble feeling like they don’t quite fit in with the rest of the class?
JB: Don’t fit in. Weirdness is a superpower.
CF: I didn’t know this until recently but, you appeared on Canada’s Got Talent. Honestly, I’m not sure I could ever bring myself to audition because of the incredible pressure, but you went out on that stage like an absolute rockstar and did your thing, unfortunately got some X’s pretty quick by the judges but you seemed totally unphased by it. Can we talk a bit about this? What made you want to apply for the show?
JB: I didn’t even notice the X’s for a while. I was just in it. My bassist suggested it, and it was a fun experience. I’ve always known I’m not to everyone’s taste in art and life, and that’s fine with me.
CF: Would you ever apply for another TV talent show?
JB: I’d apply again.
CF: What’s one thing you learned from the experience?
JB: One thing I learned was that there’s a nice view from that casino in Niagara.
CF: What’s the best new record that you heard in 2023?
JB: Apart from Tempest Rock? Hm. I’m realizing I don’t pay attention to the dates on records. New to me? First to come to mind is Boys in the Better Land. OH WAIT! Korpiklaani just put out a cover of “Gotta Go Home”.
CF: What’s the plan for 2024? Is there anything in particular you want to plug?
JB: We’re already in the studio to work on the third LP, and we’re playing Hard Luck Bar on February 10th. The SATURDAY!
Thanks very much Jaymes!
Keep up with Hot Apollo on their website and social media channels.
Website: http://www.hotapollo.rocks/
Looking for a little more? Here are some recommendations based on the interview.
Crooked Forest 