Hailing from North Hollywood, California, Aponia is an alternative rock band on the rise — recently having made their on-stage debut this June, headlining the World Famous Whisky A Go Go. While often described as ‘vintage rock’ – a blend between grunge and psychedelic rock, fused with new-age programming and electronics – the heart of Aponia is raw, real and something everyone can relate to. Lead vocalist Greg Moorman, whose individual sound has been compared to both Bert McCracken (The Used) and Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), has described Aponia’s music as “a story about being true to yourself.”
DarkMedia had the pleasure of sitting down with Greg to discuss his earliest influences, the state of the music industry today, what it was like to play a packed crowd at a world famous venue, and what’s next up for the band.
Can you tell the readers of DarkMedia how you chose the name Aponia and what it means?
Aponia means freedom from pain and that’s exactly what we want our message to give listeners. Right now kids are publicly announcing their suicide via Internet because some other kid at school is kicking the shit out of them everyday for being who they are; when in reality the bully is probably getting beat by an over abusive, under-fulfilled father that cheated on his wife. Now she’s an alcoholic drug addict, in and out of rehab, while her youngest daughter is starring on MTV because she was talented enough to have a baby before graduation. We live in a truly twisted society where at the end of the day people just want to feel better. For the ones who turn to music, I believe they will relate to our lyrics and sound.
You play a lot of instruments. What was the first instrument you learned to play? Do you have a favorite?
The first was guitar. I remember grabbing my Dad’s acoustic as a kid and picking the strings, creating melodies without chords. I would do it all the time and it was an immediate escape. By the time I was twelve I would play electric for hours and get lost writing my own songs. Throughout my teenage years I naturally learned how to play bass and drums. When you’re in a band writing songs with your best friends and no one has formal training in music you just pick up on things because you have an honest passion to learn.
Who is the first artist that influenced you and why?
This a tough one. Nu-metal was huge when I was growing up so Aaron Lewis and Fred Durst inspired me a lot early on. Aaron’s lyrics influenced me to write from my heart and experiences. He didn’t hold back and he sings with so much torment and aggression and that’s what I was feeling at the time. Fred on the other hand taught me to not let other people’s opinion of me or my music change who I am; instead to listen to what I liked and inject whatever influences I want into my art. People hate on that guy but he sold a million records in one week, directed his music videos, makes his own movies now and still makes the music he wants. He also helped a lot of bands get out on the road and into the mainstream. I would love to do all of that before I die.
The band has a new album coming out. Can you tell the readers a little about it and when it will be released?
We are going into the studio with Erik Ron (Get Scared, New Years Day, Good Charlotte) this August to record our first full-band EP. It’s a great transition for Aponia. Andrew Sumrall and I started writing demos together back in January then Mark DiNitto, JD Burns and Brandon Gardiner joined us this summer. It’s the most creative group of people I’ve ever made music with and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the new songs we’ve been writing.
Lyrically, the album is very dark but inspiring. Enduring depression, suicide, self-harm, failure and the pressure to be someone you’re not are pretty prevalent. Need a hero? Look in the mirror and fight ’til you have nothing left; then turn that nothing into everything you’ve ever dreamed. That’s how I feel right now so hopefully that will show. We will put everything we are into these recordings and with the help of an incredible producer like Erik, I know people will both hear and feel the message we are sending.
Can you describe the experience of playing the world famous Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip?
Aponia came to life that night. The floor was packed, the sound was perfect and we owned that stage. I remember looking into the audience during the second verse of “Hook”; I was singing the lines, “I’ve got you now, you’ve got me now” and the crowd was dancing around like they were all tripping on LSD in 1970. It was the perfect moment. We were all high on the music, together. We’re ready to finish this EP, hit the road and perform our songs every night.
You have a unique voice. Give us a few words that would describe it? Do you have any formal training?
I went to one vocal lesson when I was seventeen. The lady hit a key on the piano and said sing that note. I grabbed my guitar and left. It just wasn’t for me. Lessons and school never were; I prefer learning things on my own at my own decision. For years I searched for the right singer to sing my songs because I didn’t think I had a good enough voice. Then one day someone told me, “it’s not how good your voice is, it’s what you can do with it.” That changed my life.
What bands would you like to see Aponia tour with?
Cage The Elephant, The Used and Foo Fighters are the first that come to mind. I would love to tour with Get Scared, those guys are legit. Also Brand New if they ever get off their ass’ and tour again. Just put us all in a lineup, send us to every country and watch the world fall in love with real music again.
Your video for “Where Did All The Real Ones Go” has 14,000 views since its debut in August 2011. How do you account for this as an unsigned and underground artist?
I wish that 14,000 was as big of a number as it seems but we haven’t even scratched the surface of our potential fanbase. It’s hard as an underground band even with the advance in technology. You still need a quality record from a quality producer and a quality tour to get your music out to the masses. We’re working on that. It’s amazing how many people have discovered Aponia’s music over the last two years despite the “bedroom” recordings and lack of promotion. I can only hope that it continues to grow as we get ready to release the biggest recording of our lives and hit the road to play it for everyone who’s been here all along and the one’s who haven’t heard us yet.
With a lot of bands using make-up and “costumes”, you go on stage with a flannel and jeans. What keeps you grounded?
Bands and musicians wearing costumes on stage is obviously nothing new; I grew up in the Wes Borland, Slipknot, Manson era and many came before them. The difference is we live in a time where everything comes off a little generic and overdone. Some bands use make-up and paint to fit in, some bands do it because it’s an extension of their music and Gotye did it to make an artistic backdrop for the most radio-friendly indie song of the year. I wear the same clothes on stage that I wear everyday because I want people to connect with the music being played and the emotion and energy the members of this band feel while performing. We make music to help people get through tough times, not dress like us.
What songs, if any, do you do a cover of? If you don’t, what songs would you like to cover and why?
One of the pledge rewards in our Kickstarter (Aponia’s Untitled EP with Erik Ron) is a cover of your choice filmed and performed acoustically by Andrew, JD and I for your own personal YouTube. I very rarely do covers so it’s going to be an interesting experience. I’m really stoked on the chance to give each fan something personal that will change both of our lives. There’s a lot of cool rewards so we’re excited to make it all happen.
Do you have any plans for a tour?
We have some shows coming up in late August and September in the So-Cal area. As soon as our album is finished and our music video is shot we’ll be out there playing, we’re just not sure what tour yet. If you want to see us in your city go to our Facebook, download free music and give it to everyone!
What do you think of the state of the music industry?
The last decade of music was the worst in history for pop(ular) music; not because people stopped needing it, the overly-perfected regurgitation labels tried to force down people’s throats was just unacceptable. I’m into a lot of music and a lot of genres, that’s not the issue. It’s the fake, disgusting lyrics (insert any Nicki Manaj or Rihanna line) and desperate attempt to find the next big thing (American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, America’s Entertainment Industry Is Dying Because The Industry Keeps Killing Itself) that keeps us from having long lasting relationships with bands and artist. Everyone will realize they need something real soon and true artist will surface into the mainstream. It won’t just be music. It’ll be music, movies, fashion and so on. Change is necessary and it’s already started.
Many of our readers are interested in the paranormal, can you tell us if you believe in ghosts?
Actually I’m pretty sure the house from the “Where Did All The Real Ones Go” video was haunted. Everyone that ever slept in the master bedroom had weird occurrences that could be considered paranormal and some people didn’t even last the entire night. A lot of strange things happened in that home. It’s all just assumption but it seems as though someone might have passed away on the mattress left in the den, then moved into the master bedroom by us. We heard a lot of strange noises and had a major increase in anxiety which caused us to act out at each other in ways we never had before or after leaving the place. Sometimes you just get that vibe, what caused it we’ll never know.
What are your top horror movies?
Halloween is my favorite by far. Michael was just scary man. He was ridiculously tall, had a butcher knife and just wouldn’t die. The Shinning is another classic. I love who-done-it stories so I was really into the Scream Trilogy growing up. As far as newer ones I liked Strangers and The Woman In Black. But the scariest movie ever has to be Requiem For A Dream. It may not be a “Horror” flick but it’s pretty horrifying. Every character is their own hero and villain, slowly dying from self-destruction. Sometimes that can be more scary than a guy with a butcher knife.
Thank you for talking with DarkMedia. Can you please give the readers three words that best describe you?
Music Is Me
Where can people find you on the web?
Reverbnation.com/AponiaMusic
Facebook.com/AponiaMusic
Twitter.com/AponiaMusic
Youtube.com/AponiaMusic
To be a part of Aponia’s upcoming EP visit:
http://www.kickstarter.com/profile/aponiamusic
Aponia is currently featured on DarkMediaCity, a free social network for those who like it Dark. Whether it be literature or film, music or art, horror or sci-fi, paranormal romance or paranormal investigation, we’ve got something for you. www.DarkMediaCity.com
Many thanks to our contributing music interviewers, Annie & Kelly.
(All interviews are the exclusive property of DarkMedia, and may not be reproduced or shared without permission, excepting links to the interview.)
Be sure to check out Aponia’s official video for “Where Did All The Real Ones Go”:
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