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Enjoy!
We caught up with Max via phone at his hotel in Dublin to discuss his new label, what he’s been up to and to find out what goes on when he’s not destroying dance-floors around the world.
Tell us about your new label, re*brand.
Re*brand is kind of a tongue and cheek knock at the industry. I’ve always had this trance tag attached to me because I was first introduced to the scene at clubs like Gatecrasher and Slinky, even though I’m not a trance DJ. So it’s really about trying to change perceptions. It’s going really well so far, we’re making headway and have a lot of great stuff from some amazing producers. And now because everything is going digital, and we don’t have to worry about fitting stuff on vinyl, I’m able to sign what I like from producers and then give it a full-on remix.
So you're definitely not trance, how would you describe your sound then?
I like to think I play a lot of everything, as long as it makes sense over the course of the night – house, more techy stuff, electro, maybe even some minimal. I think the most important thing is being true to who you are. Like if there’s a good electro song, sure I’ll play it. Not because it’s the new thing, but because it’s a great song. It’s cool when someone leaves the dance floor for a half hour, comes back, and I’m playing something totally different from when they were last there. It’s like how did he go from there to here? But you kind of get it over the course of the night.
What were some highlights from the summer?
I spent a week with Sander Kleinenberg at his Villa in Ibiza and played at Eden, which was rocking. [laughing] I snuck into Amnesia one night with a bunch of friends, I told them I was DJing, and just partied at Pete Tong’s birthday bash. I also bought a new house and built a new studio, which has been taking up a lot of time. And just getting the new label up and running.
Favorite venue to play?
Tough one, right now I’d have to say its Spy Bar in Chicago. It’s great because of the owners. They’re the ones’ doing the promoting and you see them out on the dance floor with everyone else. It’s rare, but they make it about the music and not the draw. Even if they don’t have a huge name on a night, it’s still packed because the crowd trusts them. Other than that, I think the Terrace at Space in Miami is a huge favorite for a lot of DJs. And maybe Pacha in Argentina.
How has technology changed DJing?
I had been using Serato for a while, but after talking to Sasha and seeing the potential of it, I’ve switched over to Ableton. But I use it very differently than most. You could never keep 4 or 6 turntables going at once, but with Ableton you can. It just adds so much more to your set. I think a lot of DJs feel that it’s time for something that excites us again. I also feel you have a responsibility to the crowd to push things forward and to find the next best way to get them to dance and present the music they want to hear in an interesting way.
If you were'nt a DJ, what would you be doing?
I was going to school for graphic design before I got into music. When I was younger I wanted to be an artist or architect. I’ve always been interested in designing and advertising and how those people were able to get something into a consumer’s head.
What's the weirdest thing in your iPod?
Let me see… I have lots of classical movie soundtracks; it’s what I’d like to do in the future. I’m a big fan of Cliff Martinez, he did the score for Solara and Traffic and both are amazing.
Most embarrassing?
Uh, probably Diana Crall… she’s from Canada. It’s like this piano, adult-contemporary, dinner party type music.
Most Importantly. And please be honest… Team LC or Team Heidi?
[Laughing] I probably shouldn’t admit to this, but I would say I’m 95% Team LC. But then Heidi painted over that terrible mural that Spencer painted in her apartment, so she gets some credit.
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