Apollo Suns

Born from the fusing of nine Winnipeg, Canada based musicians, Apollo Suns have created a refreshing and innovative sound and live performance combining instrumental, jazz, rock and psychedelic music. They were awarded “Instrumental Artist of the Year” at the 2018 and 2020 Western Canadian Music Awards.

Apollo Suns began in 2016 following the deconstruction of Ed Durocher (Guitar) and Dave Guenette’s (bass) previous band Electric Soul. Over the years the band has seen a large rotation of some very talented and have now solidified the core group of Glenn Radley (Drums), Erika Einarson (Percussion), Niall Cade (Tenor Sax), Bryn Herperger (Bass), Garrett Malenko (Trumpet), Benjamin James Hill (Trombone), Aaron Bartel (Bari Sax) and Anatol Rennie (Keyboards/Synths).

With each Anatol, Aaron, Glenn, Bryn, Niall, and Erika having studied music at the U of M and CMU along with their previous bands including other genre-bending acts such as The Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Super Duty Tough Work, Moses Mayes and Sapphire Empire; there has been no lack of musical creativity amongst the band. Apollo Suns constantly challenge themselves in their writing by constructing jazz influenced songs with the end goal of maintaining an overall accessible and catchy track for listeners of all backgrounds.

Their debut EP, Each Day a Different Sun, was released April 2017 followed by a Western Canadian tour in support of the release. They have since been through Western Canada twice and Eastern Canada once. The album spent seven weeks on the Earshot! National Top 50 charts with its top position at #15.

Apollo Suns released their sophomore EP, Dawn Offerings, in late April of 2019 with two sold out shows in their hometown of Winnipeg, MB. The release was followed by multiple tours and festival showcases across Canada to support the album. The album reached number #7 on the Earshot! National Top 50 charts.

Having recently signed with USA based record label COLOR RED they will be releasing their third EP, A Relationship of Force, in late 2021 and supporting the album with a robust North American tour itinerary in 2022/23.

Some of their most notable shows include support slots for The Comet is Coming, The Brooks, Anomalie, Mariachi Ghost, Five Alarm Funk, Kobo Town, and Bend Sinister; as well as showcases at Canadian Music Week, Winnipeg International Jazz Fest, Big Fun Festival, Ness Creek Festival, Festival Du Voyageur and Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

Apollo Suns are an exciting band out of Winnipeg who are not afraid to walk a fine line and pave their own musical path to success and into the hearts of music fans all over Canada and soon internationally. With the recent signing to Cielo Talent Agency (Western USA) and Loose Leaf Agency (Eastern USA). They will be working closely with the band to book, schedule and execute tour dates in the USA.

Band Videos

Shows

Chris Murray, Kyle Smith , Jory Kinjo & the Relays, Apollo Suns, Rebel Selector
at Ship Point (Inner Harbour)
Sun. June 23rd 2:00 PM - 10:00pm
Free
What would our 25th Anniversary be without one of the beloved acts that appeared at our very first year?! Our dear friend and longtime ally in Ska, CHRIS MURRAY, joins us for a very special performance, where he’ll be flanked by his friends and comrades in ska, THE NEW VICTORIANS, to close out our 25th birthday bash. In the 25 years since his first festival appearance, Chris Murray has kept true to his ska roots, cementing himself as one of Canada’s greatest purveyors of the genre. Armed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar, his beautiful singing voice and an endless passion for the roots of Jamaican music, Chris Murray has remained as one of our Ska & Reggae Fest massive’s most beloved performers. A Ship Point, festival-closing set from Chris Murray is sure to be one to remember.

Coming up the coast from California is reggae rock singer-songwriter KYLE SMITH. Smith will be coming with his band to play their southern Cali style reggae – you know it’s got those ska/punk/hip-hop flavours – on our stage for the first time. Smith’s songs are catchy as hell and spread big positivity while getting down deep into what it means to be human and have flaws. Catch this rising reggae star on our stage and get in on the ground floor. Keep things moving on this Sunday afternoon, JORY KINJO & THE RELAYS will be bringing their ultra soulful blend of rocksteady, blues and R&B. JK & The Relays have some of the most infectious stage energy you’re ever going to see. It’s been 11 years since they’ve stepped on the Festival stage and we can’t be more excited to welcome them back! We also have in the house for our closing day, Winnipeg’s 7-piece psychedelic jazz rock juggernaut, APOLLO SUNS. After their highlight appearance at Garden City Grooves in 2023, we knew we needed to bring them back to play on our big stage at Ship Point. On stage, Apollo Suns are an absolute force, blasting audiences into a galaxy of groove. Opening up the proceedings and keeping things groovy between sets is our friend and one of the Island’s most knowledgeable music minds, REBEL SELECTOR. He’ll be digging deep into his chest to lay down select cuts from a dizzying array of genres.

Come one, come all and help us close down our 25th Anniversary Festival in style!

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