Appleby is redefining the concept of an emerging global artist. We spoke with the genre-blending singer about his background, his surprising success on Red Note, and the forthcoming project that integrates everything.
Who are you and where are you from? My stage name is Appleby, and my real name is Justin. I’m originally from Ohio and Florida, but I now reside in Los Angeles – so I have traveled quite a bit.
What initially drew you to music?
Music has always been an integral part of my life. I grew up playing tennis, using music as a backdrop to pump myself up. However, everything shifted when I discovered The Weeknd around 2009–2010. I became completely enamored. In 2013, after hitting a personal low, I started creating music as a form of therapy. The Weeknd's impact on me gave me the courage to try it out. Back then, he was simply a voice on YouTube, shrouded in mystery and emotion. That period resonated with me; it was dark, slow, raw—and matched my mindset.
Can you explain the significance of the name Appleby?
It’s my mother’s maiden name. Initially, I kept my music a secret—even from my family. But when I finally confided in my mom, I wanted a name with lasting significance. Appleby felt appropriate. It allowed me to subtly include my family in my journey, even if they weren't aware of it at first. Moreover, it helps me stay grounded; I never want to tarnish that name, which keeps me accountable.
Let’s discuss that unforgettable moment on Red Note in China. What transpired?
That week was hectic. There were fires in LA, and on top of that, there were talks of TikTok possibly being banned—it was overwhelming. I was emotionally exhausted, and I wasn't in the mood to post on a new platform, especially one that was relatively unknown in the U.S. at the time. However, my girlfriend had been using Red Note and kept insisting I try it. At first, I wasn't interested, but she showed me how she utilized it and the type of videos she created. That evening, I uploaded three brief clips from a song I was still finalizing—‘Without You’—and went to bed, not expecting anything. I wasn't even invested in the app at that point. But when I woke up, I found I had gained 11,000 new followers. I thought, wait, what just happened? By the end of that week, my follower count reached 25,000. That was when I felt a shift. My music was resonating with an audience I hadn't known yet, but they were incredibly welcoming, loving, and curious. I remember wondering: how can I connect with them more? How can they get to know me better? That was the moment I transitioned from seeing the platform merely as a promotional tool to treating it like a genuine community I wanted to grow with.
You didn’t just share content – you truly engaged.
Absolutely, I took it seriously. I asked questions and wanted to understand the culture and best practices, even picking up bits of Mandarin along the way. I wasn't trying to approach it as a casual tourist; I aimed to grow alongside the platform and its users. It became much more than a strategy—it evolved into something authentic.
Were there any challenges in connecting with fans so far away?
Time zones were definitely a factor. To post during peak hours in China, I often found myself uploading content at 2, 3, or 4 AM in LA. But that’s a minor inconvenience. The true challenge—and joy—lies in learning how to communicate across different cultures and languages. It’s a gift, not a burden.
Musically, where do you draw your inspiration?
I have always sourced inspiration from a variety of artists—Adele, Lauryn Hill, Andre 3000, Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator, Coldplay—I’m essentially a melting pot of the music I’ve loved. However, my most significant creative shift occurred in 2017. I had a song called ‘Almost Famous,’ and my producer remarked that it resembled a Coldplay track titled ‘Shiver.’ I had never heard that song before, and honestly, I wasn’t particularly into Coldplay at the time—I brushed it off. That response didn’t sit well with him, as he grew up listening to Coldplay. He paused the session, pulled out his laptop, and played the song. It was like a lightning bolt struck in my mind. That sound resonated deeply with me. I went home and listened to Parachutes and A Rush of Blood to the Head on repeat that summer. Those records became my vocal training ground. That same summer, I witnessed them live at Wembley Stadium, with around 60,000 people in attendance. When ‘Yellow’ played, every wrist
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Appleby is redefining the concept of an emerging global artist. We spoke with the genre-defying singer about his background and his surprising