My name is Maxi and my favourite colour is green. I like to sing and write songs. I am releasing my debut solo EP later this year, which is really exciting!
The first single from your debut EP, ‘In A Little While’ is officially released on July 23 along with the music video, tell us about the concept behind your video, you’ve just made?
The concept of the track came whilst I was recording the song. The track has a pretty obvious groove, but it is also has a trippy side. I think we had just finished up recording the percussion and I had this flash of butch men on Harley Davidsons. Without giving too much away the clip follows a day on my pushbike which includes bikers and square dancing.
The EP (due out in September) has been seven months in the making. What are your usual processes when producing music?
I wrote the tracks for my EP in my parent’s attic last year. From there I worked with Joel Witenberg , who produced the EP, to record the project over the summer. We recorded in this really cool house in Melbourne and had some really cool musicians come in to record like Alex Burkoy (Tin Pan Orange) and Anton Delecca (The Bamboos). Recording the EP in a house instead of a studio certainly meant the process was relaxed, we had more freedom and time to play with.
Who/what are your major influences when making music?
My songs are almost always just my attempt to express how I feel – to try to create a mood with lyrics and melodies. Whilst writing the EP I was listening to a lot of the Bee Gees and also Judee Sill who both musically influenced the vibe of the record.
Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with so far?
So far I’ve loved recording with Rocco Raimundo a Sydney based DJ, we have a track due out later in the year, which is super exciting.
You’ve trained in musical theatre from a young age. What inspired you to get into music?
I’m not really sure what inspired me to get into music. I’ve always loved to sing, it seems like a really natural thing to do. I started singing lessons when I was around 11 or 12. I think as a child I just assumed I would be a singer or a performer when I grew up and I guess that bizarre assumption seems to have stuck.
You travelled overseas before returning to join the Melbourne music scene. Did your time overseas influence your perspective on music?
I travelled alone and that ensured I met new people wherever I went, I felt really free on that trip. I somehow wound up spending my birthday in a Medevial Village in France called Carcesone, with a sitar player who looked like Jesus, having a jam with his friends and a loop machine. I met so many musical people in all the countries I travelled too, I discovered a lot about what music can bring to people’s lives.
How do you like your music? On digital, CD, or vinyl (maybe even cassette)?
I won’t lie, I’m a little bit of a digi-nerd so I like to download my music. Only if my ipod dies do I return to my faithful diskman!!
What has been your most memorable gig to date?
I think my most memorable gig to date would be the first acoustic show I played when I returned from overseas. I played this tiny little Upstairs bar and the place was really full. People were everywhere – but with such a relaxed vibe, people sitting on the floor. It was just a night full of awesome vibes!
If you could play any venue/festival where would it be?
I would love to play Glastonbury or Coachella – both would be so much fun!
What gigs can we catch you at next?
I will have my live show up and running in support of the EP release in September – I really can’t wait!!
‘In A Little While’ is out July 23, 2012 to hear the track head to: www.facebook.com/maxismusic
