Although he is a recent signee of Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz’s record label DCD2, MAX has been doing big things for most of his life. He acted on Broadway as a teenager and had songs and acting roles within the Disney and Nickelodeon worlds over the years. On the more adult end, MAX appeared as arranger and composer Van Dyke Parks in Love & Mercy, the recent Brian Wilson bio-pic starring John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks.
Following a recent summer tour alongside Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa and Hoodie Allen, MAX is currently in the midst of his headlining Sounds Like Gibberish tour. The tour comes through town on October 28th with a show inside Webster Hall at The Marlin Room. MAX will be sharing the stage on this evening with Kenzie Nimmo and Call Me Karizma.
MAX presently has a full-length album in the works with contributions expected from Pharrell; Ms. Anonymous, an EP out on the aforementioned DCD2, is his most recent release. A full-length release from his Tim Armstrong-curated side project Witchita may also be happening for the New York native. If things continue as is, there should also be more collaborations with acclaimed rapper Hoodie Allen forthcoming.
I had the opportunity to conduct Q&A with MAX on behalf of Downtown, and in turn encountered a talented and pleasant superstar-in-the-making.
Other than yourself, who is the best musician named Max out there today?
MAX: Hmm, good question. I’d say Maxwell is my favorite other Max musician for sure. Man’s got soul for days, ooh baby.
Your management company, Crush, is one of the smartest management teams that I’ve encountered. How did you wind up working with them?
M: Yeah, they’re amazing. I was hooked up with them through my awesome lawyer. I met a ton of managers but knew they were special.
Is Crush who aligned you with Mike Viola — a Downtown Magazine favorite — who you cowrote music with?
M: Yes, indeed. My manager JD, who is a genius, hooked me up with Mike and one of my other favorite co-writers and producer Jake Sinclair, who I love working with.
What about Hoodie Allen? How did you first meet Steven?
M: Damn, you call him Steven? That’s legit. We met through Twitter, which just goes to show the power of social media these days. Two tours together and multiple songs later, and now we’re best friends and Jewish brothers from other mothers.
Is it true that you’re already working on a follow-up to the Ms. Anonymous EP with Pharrell Williams?
M: Yeah I’ve been working on a full-length album for a while now and got to work with Pharrell on a few songs which was amazing. Ms. Anonymous is really a taste I wanted to give from the full record to come.
I’ve heard that you grew up in Hell’s Kitchen. How does that area in 2015 compare to what you grew up around?
M: Yes indeed, born and raised. It’s a whole other world from even when I was a little kid. My mom has lived in the same apartment for almost 40 years, and she’s seen it go from an Irish slum to one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York, which is pretty trippy.
When you have downtime, what’s your favorite Manhattan neighborhood to hang out in?
M: I spend a lot of time downtown. Lower East Side, Soho, Union Square area and then tons of time in Central Park. I love it there. Nothing like Sheep’s Meadow playing frisbee on beautiful New York day.
Going along with theme of Downtown Magazine, do you have a favorite restaurant below 26th Street?
M: Oh, I have a lot. A couple I love are The Grey Dog, Eataly is touristy but so delicious, love The Bean coffee shop, too.
It was announced earlier this year that you’re working with Tim Armstrong in a group called Witchita. Is that group going to have a studio release anytime soon?
M: We’ve written a ton of stuff. We’ll probably get back in and write and record more when we’re both in L.A. again. The whole project has been very spontaneous which what I love most about it.
If your musical career as MAX takes off as it looks likely to, do you still plan to pursue acting work?
M: Yeah, I’d love to play small parts in movies or shows. I definitely love artists like Justin Timberlake who make it all work and have no limitations, but music is definitely my number one always.
Before playing Van Dyke Parks in Love & Mercy, did you have the opportunity to meet Van Dyke?
M: I actually didn’t and I still haven’t met him! I would love to at some point.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your time?
M: Just with the people I love. Adventuring. Eating.
Is there something that you wish more people knew about you besides your music and your body of work as an actor?
M: Not really. I just wish people would always keep it real. That’s what I love most.
Finally, Max, any last words for the kids?
M: Stay kids for life. Those are the my favorite people.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
