Noel Aponte is a singer/songwriter/producer whose unique vocals, production style, and story will inspire you to explore the depths of your own emotions and creativity. Listening to his music is a journey through the ups and downs of life. His ability to convey raw emotion through his lyrics is truly captivating.

 

While currently based in North Carolina, he was born in Puerto Rico and lived on the island until the age of 15. Coming from a very musical household, from a young age he was encouraged to study music and listen to a variety of genres. As any growing child, Noel wanted to explore his interests and found himself always going back to music. While piano was his instrument of choice, he took interest in a variety of others, in addition to learning basic music theory. It was during this time that he discovered his affinity for writing his own music.

 

Like many other Puerto Ricans, Noel was affected by the devastating hurricane Maria in 2017. This catastrophe changed the lives of his family and the lives of everyone on the Caribbean Island. Coming from a low-income area, this event was felt especially hard by him and his community.  Two years after the hurricane, Noel and his family decided to leave Puerto Rico and start anew in the United States, as they could not recover from the losses the disaster caused.

 

After moving to the US in late 2019, like most of the world, Noel was forced to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This time allowed him to discover new genres of music and explore songwriting in English, a language he was not yet accustomed to. Up until this point, his main instrument when writing and playing music was the piano, but he decided to learn how to play a new instrument. For the first time ever, he picked up a guitar and instantly fell in love with it. He began to teach himself songs from his favorite new-found artists such as Rex Orange County and Dijon.

 

While he always contemplated releasing his own songs, he lacked production equipment and skill. With COVID-19 regulations, making new friends wasn’t an easy task, yet he was able to meet someone who’d end up becoming one of his best friends, Isaac Luther. Soon after meeting Luther, Noel discovered they both shared a passion for music. At the time, Luther was an upcoming artist who had released two singles while also working to find his audience. He guided Noel on what steps to take if he really intended to make and produce his own music.

 

Luther was a big inspiration for Noel, as they spent countless hours singing and making songs. With the money he earned working at a grocery store, Noel bought the basic equipment he needed to start learning to produce his music. He set himself the goal to learn everything he could to enable him to make music however he imagined it. As Luther amassed an audience, he was in the process of making his first album. He would go on to have Noel featured on one of his songs, “Through the Wall”. The track became a smash hit on Spotify, with over 500,000 plays.

 

The song put Noel on the map, and it was the boost he needed to keep making new original music. Inspired by Luther, Noel continued to hone his craft and perfect his production and musical style. As he learned and discovered his unique sound, he also saw the beauty in his ability to not only write and produce, but also handle the mixing, mastering, and virtually any process involved with his music. As time passed, he grew more confident in his abilities and shortly after moving to college, he released his first single!

 

Noel’s first official single, “Cool Guitar,” is a perfect example of his artistry and skill. This is an impressive example of the artist’s uncompromising DIY attitude, and it immediately took off, receiving the support of fans, friends, and listeners. Following the release of “Cool Guitar” in December 2022, Noel dropped his second official single in February 2023.

 

The song is titled “Stay Right Here,” and it’s a perfect example of the kaleidoscopic sound and variety that fuel his music. Influenced by artists such as Choker, Frank Ocean, and Cuco, Noel continues to challenge himself with every new piece of music he releases. His vocal style is soulful and melodic, with so much depth and a very diverse range. This is exemplified in the last chorus of “Stay Right Here", when he says, “I’d move the whole world, if it made you stay right here” complimented by the vocal melodies that follow.

 

Because of his ability to transcend the usual genre definitions, Noel appreciates the freedom of not actually fitting in any specific niche or style. He loves to create variations and pursue different ideas to make each song special!

 

At 18 years old, Noel’s journey is only beginning, and he continues to give his all to every song he makes. As an artist, he is more than an entertainer, but someone who genuinely hopes to inspire others with his story and connect with people through his music.