Nation of Language and Tom Sharkett – Inept Apollo (Tom Sharkett Remix)
Brooklyn synth pop trio Nation of Language teamed up with Tom Sharkett of W.H. Lung for a club-ready rework of “Inept Apollo”, originally from their 2025 album “Dance Called Memory”. Sharkett’s remix keeps the new wave foundation but cranks up the bpm and adds a strutting disco-inspired bass line, bridging the NYC-Manchester dance connection that both artists share.
The original, produced by Nick Millhiser (LCD Soundsystem), came from sessions that pushed Nation of Language toward more human-centred electronic music. Frontman Ian Richard Devaney wanted to move away from the Kraftwerk approach of removing humanity from synthesized music, leaning instead toward Brian Eno’s philosophy of making synth music feel distinctly human. On “Dance Called Memory,” percussion gets smashed through synthesizers as a nod to early-2000s electronic music, with chopped-up drum break samples making appearances throughout.
Sharkett’s take transforms the yearning original into something looser and wonkier. “We’re big fans of W.H. Lung, as well as Tom’s excellent recent LCD Soundsystem rework,” Devaney says. “We were super excited when he reached out saying he wanted to take a crack at a new mix of ‘Inept Apollo.’ Our initial enthusiasm only grew when we received the end product a couple months later and were able to test it out in a club environment a few times. Can confidently report it sounds fantastic in a loud and crowded room.”
For Sharkett, the connection felt natural from the start. “I had an affinity with Nation of Language as soon as I heard their music. It felt like it came from the same place as the music I was making myself and with W. H. Lung,” he explains. “It was hard initially to find a way in with remixing ‘Inept Apollo,’ as I loved the original so much. I knew I wanted to nod to the connection between NYC and Manchester started by the artists and DJs I feel we both love, without even having to name check them. It had to be wonky, and it had to be loose and lively.”
The remix arrives as Nation of Language prepares for an extensive 2026 tour following their successful 2025 run, which sold over 40,000 tickets across 51 international dates with sold-out shows in New York, Chicago, Paris, and London.
Tour Dates
North America
- Sun. Feb. 15 – Monterrey, MX – Foro Tims
- Tue. Feb. 17 – Guadalajara, MX – C3 Rooftop
- Thu. Feb. 19 – Mexico City, MX – Foro Indie Rocks! – Sala
- Fri. Jul. 24 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre #
- Sat. Jul. 25 – Bentonville, AR – The Momentary #
- Sun. Jul. 26 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove #
- Wed. Jul. 29 – Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater #
- Fri. Jul. 31 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre #
- Sun. Aug. 02 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre #
- Mon. Aug. 03 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre #
- Tue. Aug. 04 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park #
Asia
- Tue. Mar. 31 – Tokyo, JP – Space Odd
Europe
- Thu. Jun. 11 – Porto, PT – Primavera Sound Porto Parque Da Cidade
- Fri. Jun. 12 – Stuttgart, DE – AboutPop Festival
- Sat. Jun. 13 – Hilvarenbeek, NL – Best Kept Secret Festival
- Thu. Jun. 18 – Lucerne, CH – B-Sides Festival
- Sun. Jun. 21 – Athens, GR – Release Athens x SNF Nostos Festival
- Sat. Jun. 27 – Camaiore, IT – La Prima Estate Festival
- Thu. Aug. 27 – Sat. Aug. 29 – Málaga, ES – Canela Party
