Bringing Back Intensity - an Interview with Alex of Deadly Apples
Interview ★ Kenzie Gay ★ @kenzwrites ★ 700 words
“(This) is definitely a new chapter — maybe even a whole new book” recalls Alex Martel, a musician from the Montreal area. Martel makes up one half of the rock duo Deadly Apples as the frontman and lyricist, his counterpart being drummer Antoine Lamothe. I got a chance to chat with Martel about Deadly Apples and their upcoming album, Distress.
Alex (left) and Antoine (right) via Raul Umeres
Hi, Alex. Go ahead and introduce yourself and the band.
We’re Deadly Apples — I’m Alex, the frontman and lyricist, and my bandmate Antoine is the producer and multi-instrumentalist behind the music. We’re a duo both creatively and conceptually, but we expand into a full live band when we perform. Our shows are intense — almost like an exorcism — and that’s really where everything comes together.
Is there a backstory behind the name 'Deadly Apples'?
Yeah, the name has a weird little history. When I was a kid, I played a talent show with some friends under the name "The Apples." That name always stuck with me for some reason. Years later, when I started this project, I wanted to add something darker — something that reflected duality. "Deadly Apples" just clicked. There’s a twisted innocence to it, something that hints at beauty, danger, and temptation all at once. Kind of like the music.
Which artists have influenced your music? Are there any that some would be surprised to hear?
The obvious ones would be Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, and Depeche Mode. But we’re also into a lot of stuff people might not expect. Antoine is heavily influenced by classical composers and film scores, and I listen to many different genres. I’m drawn to anything emotionally raw — even if it’s not sonically related to what we do.
Can you walk through the creative process of your recent release, "Envious and Little"?
That song came from a really toxic situation. It’s about people who live in envy and try to tear others down instead of dealing with their own insecurities. I had a rough draft of the lyrics and a specific feeling I wanted to channel — this sort of disgust mixed with pity — and Antoine built this aggressive, claustrophobic track. It’s confrontational, unapologetic, and very personal.
You have an upcoming album called "Distress". Can you go into detail about it?
Distress is definitely a new chapter — maybe even a whole new book. It’s the most accessible thing we’ve done, but also the heaviest, darkest, and most honest. We poured years of pain into this one. It was produced by Antoine, with guitars and bass by Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails) and mixed by Ben Grosse. The album deals with betrayal, grief, and disillusionment — both personal and societal. But it’s also about survival. We live in a singles world now, but Distress is meant to be a full experience — a story from beginning to end. It sets the tone for everything we want Deadly Apples to be moving forward: raw, cinematic, dangerous, and real.
Outside of music, are there any other artistic ventures or hobbies you partake in that help shape the eventual work of the band?
Definitely. Antoine is a filmmaker and composer, so a lot of the cinematic feel in our music and videos comes from his visual background. I’ve been promoting major music festivals and tours for years, which helped shape how we approach the business side of things, as well as how we view the live experience. Outside of that, we’re both obsessed with storytelling in all its forms — film, literature, even fashion. All of it feeds back into what we do with the band.
What’s one question you’ve always wanted to be asked in an interview, and what’s your answer to it?
No one ever asks what we hate about the music scene. I think there’s a lack of danger and authenticity in a lot of modern rock. It feels safe, polished, and predictable. We’re trying to bring back the intensity, the honesty, and the chaos that made us fall in love with music in the first place. If that makes people uncomfortable, good. Art should do that.
Post-interview, Deadly Apples has a handful of shows in Florida and Alabama next month - you can find tickets at their official website that’s linked below. Furthermore, you can keep your eyes and ears out for Distress, due to drop some time this Summer.
