Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with MaxHuck
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
The earliest memory that connected me to music was when I started playing guitar at the age of 10. Before that, music was just a means of making time fly, but after starting playing the guitar, my perception of music changed and this is when I understood a whole new world of creativity opened up to me.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
The idea of sharing and inspiring as well as making people feel certain types of emotions. At first, this was a challenge to myself to distinguish my music from others, but then the idea of starting from a blank file and ending up with a full on track, the process of creating is just delicious.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I have been growing up in a classical music family, none of them artists, more like listeners. The idea of composing and producing tracks which are melody, sentimental and groove oriented was the most important to me. I have been producing a lot with my dear friend Micky Miller, who is also classically trained from the Royal Musical College of London, and an interview about me would also be incomplete without mentioning him. Micky and I have been sharing the same passion, the same idea of music, creation and sharing. If i had to summarize everything that allowed me to have the current music project in one word, I would say “encounter”.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
So far, with the current releases, you could summarize my sound by melodic, rhythmic and sentimental. It’s music you can listen to in many types of situations, in a club, a festival, your car, your headphones, it can be appropriate depending on the current feeling and mindset of the listener at the time. For instance ‘Stolen Heart’ with the amazing Ghenwa Nemnom has more of a cinematic texture, whereas Into’yam with the great Lizwi has more of a Beach club, dancy vibe.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Openness. Being open to listening to every sound, types of music etc… You might not like a song overall, but there might be interesting or inspiring elements within that one sound/song that could inspire you to compose. It did happen to me a few times to record some everyday noises that led to some interesting sound design later on!
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I produce on both Logic and Ableton. My main plugins for creativeness would be of course Serum, to get all types of leads, pads, bass lines etc… Pro Q for mixing and then a bunch of other VST for effects (Valhalla Reverb etc…). Now for the creativity itself, I never push on that part. Lately I have been pretty inspired, but there has been a period when the creativity was a little more down, and that’s okay!! Again, it’s important to be open to listen to everything around you, everything can become a source of inspiration in the right moment at the right time.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
If we are talking pure Indie House/Dance, I love the entire Maccabi Label, directed by Adam Ten and Mita Gami. They just have that sense and danciness and electronic design that is so complex yet feels so simple. We always look to do “less is more”, and Maccabi does it so well.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
This is such a great question. I have been on the two sides and not that long ago! Before being in the music industry, I was working as a financial engineer in Luxembourg and Paris. Music was not just a way to “escape” work, but it was also a discussion topic with colleagues, asking what type of music they listen to, their favorite artists etc… When speaking like that, it almost feels like there is a sort of glass window separating you from the artist you like, it’s that glass window that allows you to maybe admire that specific artist and makes him/her untouchable, so close yet so far. Being now on the other side of that “window”, everything changes, the people you used to watch and listen to become your friends, and you become the new face of your own window. Certain artists want to make sure this window is thick and large, some thinner and like to be closer to their public. I like it that way also, it’s important as an artist to connect with the people you want to share your music with, but also with the people you would like to share your music with. That connection I believe is what pushes the artist to the highest level!
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
The way I work on my music is to of course transmit a current state of mind or being in general, but I think anyone should interpret it as they want. Maybe a sadder melody might be uplifting to some people, what’s important is that people feel driven by the song, bringing them souvenirs, feelings but based on their own experience. What I hope listeners take away from my work is that music is made to be shared, but not only the music, but the emotions and feelings coming out of the music.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Staying true to myself. People start relating to your music when they feel not only is it authentic but also when it’s you and comes from you. Being in this industry has shown me what I like, what I dislike, good intentioned people, less good intentioned people… Also, having my own music production and event production company, Miracle Events, is teaching a lot about the business itself. I think it is important in this industry to diversify your reach and your activity. Music is not just about producing music and playing it live, its also about all the people working hard to make everything possible (sound engineers, technicians, organizers etc…). The world of music is everywhere and touches everyone!
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I think like every electronic artist, Tomorrowland. Of course Ultra, EDC, Burning Man or Coachella are great venues, but looking at electronic music only and the story of each festival, Tomorrowland has to be at the top of the list!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Rufus du Sol. These guys are without any question one of the most inspiring groups I have ever seen. For years now, Rufus stayed true to their music, believed in their project. It led them to Grammy nomination, playing in the most amazing places across the planet, inspiring millions of people in the world and again, always by staying true to their music. On the musical side, I have never heard one bad rufus song, everything fits what I love, the atmosphere, the feelings, the rhythm and most probably what characterizes rufus the most, the lead vocalist!
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Direct link to all my links
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Continue to grow and sign music, building an audience worldwide, expanding more in the US, LATAM and Asia.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Passion is what drives me, I do it for the culture
