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MAXIMAL GRAHAM
an article in Hamilton's entertainment magazine "VIEW"
http://www.viewmag.com/viewstory.php?storyid=5686
MAXIMAL GRAHAM
By Tamara Holmes
It’s rare in the electronic music scene to enjoy a global reputation
among fans based on work ethic and highbrow values, not just
quality sounds. But that’s what Canadian mega-talent DJ and
producer Max Graham still revels in, even after more than eight
years in the biz.
His stats read like this: born in the UK, previous locations
resided in include Spain, New York and Los Angeles before
Ottawa, and has ranked on DJMag’s Top 100 DJ List at number
23. Having started producing in 2000 following a much-
appreciated introduction to house music in the mid-’90s, Graham
had his early, now-legendary marathon sets from Ottawa club
Atomic to call on for experience. In terms of what set him apart
from other DJs on the scene at the time, Graham is quick to push
opinions back on the partiers who danced the night away for his
weekly six-hour mixes. “You would have to ask the people that
came [what set me apart], but I think I had tapped into a UK
sound at the time when people were really into the New York and
Montreal house thing,” says Graham. “Those days are blurry, but I
remember most of the local DJs were emulating a more ‘housey’
sound, as I was going more into the Sasha and John [Digweed]
prog[ressive] sound of the time.
“I got lucky and hit the right vibe.”
Early fans would debate Graham’s success as being luck,
however. Two top-notch productions found in tracks “Tell You”
and “Airtight” led Graham to oversee the mix on the then-popular
Transport CD series in 2001 and launch a global tour far removed
from Ottawa’s northerly winds. “In 2001, when I actually started
to be able to pay the rent, [I realized] that I could really make
something of this,” notes Graham, reflecting on the start-up
years. “When I started to get attention from some big names, it
started to become more serious, but it’s a path I’ve been on since
1995, and am still on, so I guess it was a slow burn.”
2003 brought big changes for Graham, including a pause in
his work, changes in management, experiencing a serious
relationship break-up and an eventual move to Montreal, Quebec.
“I still toured, but it was more that I mentally took time off
music,” recalls Graham. “I didn’t really write or focus for a while.
“Once I moved to Montreal, I moved into a very inspiring loft
in the Old Port. I got over the break up and really started to fall in
love with music again. I sorted out my legal issues with my
previous management and began to move forward into the
future.”
It was Graham’s production of the track “Owner of a Lonely
Heart”, sampling the retro Yes song, that fully propelled the Djs
career into the future. Topping out on the UK singles chart at
number nine, the 2005 remix was enough to get every foot on the
dance floor moving and every industry tongue wagging again.
“I’m thinking about that more now than then,” says
Graham on the topic of considering a complete departure from
the electronic music scene prior to his 2004 comeback of sorts.
“I’m doing well but not nearly where I want to be due to various
miss–steps over the years. Some [were] my fault and some [were]
completely out of my control. But I really have no idea what I
would do otherwise.
“I love writing music. I have bought a home and see property
as a great option to solidify the future but then, no, I just needed
to rethink things [then]. I did, and here we are!
“I always believed my DJ–ing would take me places. I work
hard at finding music and making sure my sets are solid. There
will always be some who love [what I’m doing] and some who hate
it, but I have to stay true to what I love as a DJ and that will
change over the years. Some fans have stayed with me, some
have fallen off and new fans have replaced them. But I think
staying true to what I love and finding people who love it too has
been my strongest point [since the hiatus].”
Part of Graham’s portfolio of musical endeavors has always
included the running of his own label, including the newest
Re*Brand. The label has the ultimate twist, with each track having
its very own Max Graham remix. “It’s all about music I love when
it comes to Re*Brand. I know it’s a cliché but it’s true. If I hear
something I like that I think can be worked into a song I like even
more, I’ll sign it and do it myself.” V [TAMARA
HOLMES]
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nightdreamer
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Oh and I have to work from 3-10...
