Island Apollo performs 'Avenues' on the WorldArts Stage

WorldArts Daily (video)

The band draws on a wide range of influences, citing acts from Arcade Fire, Billy Joel, Foster the People, Michael Jackson, The Killers, The Beach Boys, Weezer, Queen, and so much more. \"I think if you want to find success as a band, you can blend in with a genre that is on the rise and have a nice record deal, followers, and radio play for a few years. But if you want to have a career, and real fans, you need to create something that is new. The bands I respect the most, and seem to have survived, are those that have created a sound that was different than the bulk of the music being produced at that time\" says lead vocalist and guitarist Ryan Kilpatrick.

They began writing the songs for the new EP at a very crucial time in their lives. They had all graduated college and were fully invested in the real world. They were finally coming to terms with what being an adult meant to each of them. \"We believe that every song should flow naturally and that every detail should serve an artistic purpose. We added tempo changes where it made sense and explored varying chord progressions,\" says guitarist Heath Farmer. Accordingly, the songs lyrically take hold of themes such as coming of age, finding love (not only for a girl, but for life), establishing trust, and fighting through difficult times.