Austin Music Presents: Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers & Lew Apollo
Nik Parr is a musician and illustrator living and performing in Austin, Texas.
Nik is self taught in both fields. From an early age, he demonstrated a passion for drawing and his love of music quickly followed. As Nik continued creating artwork he also began teaching himself piano, and by age twelve, started performing in public. He now leads his own rock and roll band based out of Austin, The Selfless Lovers, in which he plays piano, saxophone, sings and writes the songs.
As an artist, Nik was prolific from a young age, literally filling up file boxes with the amount of art he created. As he earned his BBA from The University of Texas at Austin, Nik started to hone in on his style of illustration by spending long hours drawing at coffee shops. His art is characterized by surrealist elements and a vibrant, otherworldly color pallet. He strives to create imaginative pieces that are immersive and most importantly, fun.
Today, Nik makes heavy use of Prismacolor pencils and graphite. His pieces often take weeks or even months to finish as many of the scenes he creates stem completely from his own imagination. He draws primarily on oversized, toned archival paper, starting with a “skeleton,” of pencil and slowly erasing all the pencil and replacing with Prismacolors as the pieces near completion.
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Lew Apollo is a rising force in the world of Neo Soul-Blues Rock, captivating audiences with his soul-stirring melodies and poignant songwriting. Born and raised in Barnum, MN, Lew's journey in music began with a deep connection to the rich musical heritage of his home state.
Following the release of his debut EP 'JUNGLE,' masterfully produced by BLK ODYSSY, Lew Apollo made an indelible mark on the music scene, amassing an impressive 150,000 streams in less than two months. His music resonates deeply with listeners, evoking emotions and a sense of solace in the face of life's most challenging obstacles.
In the wake of his father's tragic suicide in Fall 2022, Lew's artistry took a profound turn. He found solace in pouring his emotions into his songwriting, using his music as a platform to normalize conversations about difficult topics such as isolation, entrapment, anxiety, temptation, and depression. Through his heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice, Lew Apollo aims to remind his audience that they are not alone in their struggles, offering a beacon of hope and understanding.
As a testament to his talent and appeal, Lew has captivated audiences in legendary venues across Austin, including sold-out shows at The Pershing and nearly Antone's Nightclub. His captivating stage presence and electrifying performances leave a lasting impression on all who witness his live shows.
With the momentum of his EP's success behind him, Lew Apollo is now preparing to embark on his most ambitious project yet - his debut full-length album, slated for release early 2024. Anticipation is high for this new chapter in his musical journey, and fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to delve even deeper into Lew's soulful world.
As an artist with a clear vision and a heartwarming dedication to using music as a means of healing, Lew Apollo is undoubtedly the new voice of Neo Soul-Blues Rock. Through his exceptional talent and compassionate storytelling, he continues to touch the hearts of his growing audience, leaving an everlasting impact on the world of music and beyond.
