At Home With Apashe As He Uploads His Rennaisance Album Online
Apashe is renowned for putting his own cinematic twist on electronica, and the Belgian award-winning producer has seen his tracks feature in trailers for some of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, including Fast & Furious and John Wick, not to mention a substantial number of commercials for top brands, including Adidas, GoPro & Netflix.
With the release of his new album ‘Renaissance’, Apashe talks to us about how he is spending his time at home, an infectious virus (not covid-19) and writing music for Hollywood trailers.
Your music has been featured in trailers for some of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, including Fast & Furious and John Wick, not to mention a substantial number of commercials for top brands, . When you are producing your tracks do you make them for that purpose or with a certain audience in mind?
I totally don’t have any purpose in mind when writing songs, I just go with the mood I’m in and what I feel like producing on the spot. In fact, the song used in the trailer for John Wick 2 was produced back in 2013 when I didn’t even intend to ever make a career out of my music. I produced it for fun and I would probably not have believed you if you had told me that this song would be used later for a movie with Keanu Reeves.
We read on your Facebook profile that you were ‘taught to be a warrior; a defender of everything your ancestors believed in’. So, what are some of your ancestors’ values that you have carried through into your work?
Wow, I even forgot this was still in my FB description. However, if you read it again it talks about an infection, a virus and that we are the protectors fighting the infected. Kind of a strange timing to talk about this, but it was basically how we all started with Kannibalen Records. Everyone from the label had a story related with the virus that turned people into Cannibals. I know that doesn’t answer exactly the question but it was all fictional and I can’t even remember who wrote this, but it wasn’t me.
Where do you want to take your production career going forward?
Working with a symphonic orchestra and composing classical music more seriously (not just putting digital strings into my production) was always a huge goal. It took me years to get here, however it’s not like a final destination. It’s just the beginning, I have learned so much in the last 12 months. I want to keep learning and evolving as an artist. Composing electronic music wasn’t quite satisfying anymore for me. I was a bit bored to be fully honest and adding this orchestral dimension really sparked interest again. The good thing is that there aren’t many people who have done this and going into this unknown path is quite exciting.
Your latest album ‘Renaissance’ what does this album mean to you and how did you want your audience to receive it?
For me it means a rebirth, which is why I called it ‘Renaissance’. A new era with new ideas, new skills. For my audience I just hope they like it. So far, the reception has been incredible, beyond my expectations. I was definitely scared that taking this unknown path would lead to confusion, but people seem to get it which is super gratifying.
What innovative ways have you got planned to promote the album whilst we are in lockdown?
Sitting on my couch and uploading it on the internet, let the people do the rest.
Apashe’s Rennaissance is Available to Stream Now
