Apollo Run Celebrate EP Release At Mercury Lounge Tuesday

By Annie Reuter

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A network of friends brought Apollo Run together in 2008. Nearly four years later, the band continues to evolve as comparisons to Queen and Jeff Buckley abound.

With captivating vocals, soaring piano and dynamic horn features, their "Dragon Party" in support of the release of Here Be Dragons, Vol II, promises a high energy and passionate set.

Recently, Apollo Run has garnered rave reviews by critics and venue owners alike.

"The owner of Rockwood Music Hall [Ken Rockwood] said if Queen happened now, we would be it," frontman John McGrew said. "A lot of people say we sound like Queen in the bombastic and epic sense. There are horns; there are really big highs and really intimate lows. All the while, all three of us have our heart on our sleeves. So, it's energetic yet can be contained and chaotic. It runs the gamut."

While Apollo Run have toured the country, McGrew said a major difference in the New York music scene is the ability to spend  an entire night at one venue taking in phenomenal live acts, citing Rockwood Music Hall as the example.

"I've never experienced being in a city where you can go to a venue and sit down at the beginning of the night and order a beer and stay there throughout the night and constantly have your mind blown over and over again by sheer amazing musicians," he said. "Everyone is going for it [in New York] and is really passionate about the music. It's incredible."

McGrew says he lives "a true Jekyll and Hyde existence." In the mornings he teaches at a nursery school in Carroll Gardens and at night he plays rock & roll shows. Currently, the band is working on their debut full length with a Pledge Music campaign where fans take part in funding the record.

"It's an amazing system for indie bands like us," McGrew stated.

Standing out as a band in New York is hard work and the band's song "City Lights" reflects their hope to stay optimistic in an uncertain industry.

"It's a story of continuously being run down by the City. So many things are happening in the music industry right now, it's a total roller coaster," he said. "The song is about throwing caution to the wind and deciding, even if no one is going to have your back, you're just going to do it yourself."

Grateful for the Jeff Buckley and Freddie Mercury comparisons, McGrew said it wasn't until he moved to New York that he took interest in Buckley

"I started listening to Jeff Buckley and I was like, 'I can't even believe it!' I feel really grateful that people were making that comparison. I'm totally flattered and humbled by it."

With a new album in the works, Apollo Run won't be disappearing anytime soon.

"We just believe in what we're doing. Nothing compares to the feeling of writing these songs and playing the songs with these guys. We just look at each other and we know it's the reason we're doing it," he said. "They're my best friends. Why wouldn't I want to travel around and play with these guys? It's what we all want to do."

Apollo Run performs Tuesday night at Mercury Lounge. For more on the band, visit their Web site.

Annie Reuter is a freelance writer and the founder of YouSingIWrite.com.