Editor’s Note: Lew Apollo is an Austin, Texas-based musician Lew Apollo. On August 8th, he released his debut album Fool’s Gold. The album’s press release describes the songs as “shiny on the surface, but full of ache and questions underneath.” You can read Alex’s review of the album here.
“Rooted in soul but orbiting everything from indie pop to cinematic alt-R&B, he brings this glowy, emotional duality to his music—think Leon Bridges meets Labrinth in a dream sequence directed by Sofia Coppola,” the press release continues. “The full record is an emotional arc—from euphoric love to raw unraveling—with standout tracks like ‘Let The Light In’ and ‘Diamonds & Gold’ offering both lush production and lyrical weight. It’s the kind of debut that doesn’t just introduce an artist—it plants a flag.”
Another song that SWT also feels carries an especially emotional weight on the album is “Die For You”. The song was inspired by the loss of his father, who committed suicide in 2022. Recently, Apollo found a rare jungle-like environment in Austin to film a powerful version of the song for his entry into SWT’s Water Tower Sessions series.
He also penned an exclusive essay about his emotional inspiration for the song and the experience of filming the session.
Music has always been my refuge — a way to make sense of the chaos inside. Growing up in rural Northern Minnesota, I was surrounded by stories of heartbreak, hope, and survival that shaped who I am. But nothing changed me more than losing my father suddenly. That loss turned my music into something deeply personal and necessary.
“Die For You” came straight from that raw place of grief and love. It’s about the messy, complicated feelings of losing someone who meant everything, disguised as a love song wanting your love back — a mix of sorrow, confusion, and strength that keeps pushing you forward even when you feel broken.
When it came time to shoot the live video for “Die For You,” I wanted the visuals to reflect the wild, tangled emotions of the song and the jungle-themed album as a whole. So I trekked deep into the Texas forest, carrying all my film equipment, a passion of mine since I went to college for cinematography. I hauled the gear nearly half a mile through dense woods, sweating and stumbling, searching for something that could feel like a real jungle.
Jungles don’t really exist in Texas. But then I found it, the only plant that looked like it matched with the jungle aesthetic. It was wild and untamed, a perfect little oasis in the middle of the beige forest. I set up my camera there and played the song surrounded by that raw, natural energy. The summer heat was intense, and the mosquitoes were out, but somehow it fit: the sweat, the struggle, the earthiness of it all.
Performing “Die For You” live isn’t just sharing a song; it’s sharing my story and the journey that afternoon from loss and confusion to acceptance and healing.
Lew Apollo
Contributor
Lew is an musician based in Austin, Texas
