Fusing hip-hop beats with funk-fuelled bass and silky smooth vocals, Bristol’s MAX RAD kickstarts 2023 with a debut album ‘Joy Wonder’ and some UK dates. Before he swings by our place in March, we though we should get to know him a bit better…
Morning Max, we’re looking forward to having you at The Bodega! How are you feeling ahead of hitting the road?
I’m really looking forward to getting back out there, I haven’t played in Nottingham for a long time so it’s going to be really fun.
Last year you made the move from Cornwall to Bristol. How do you feel that’s impacted your songwriting and the way you’ve been producing tunes? Has the increase in pace influenced you at all?
Yeah it’s been great. I now have a studio that I work out of so it’s nice to be able to do long sessions late into the night and not worry about disturbing people sleeping. I think the music I’ve been making has definitely changed a bit. I’ve been really into dance music for a long time but the influence is even stronger here. Having said that, I just finished making some very chilled music, so maybe that’s a reaction to the change in pace.
We’re really looking forward to hearing your debut album ‘Joy Wonder’ in February, what was the creative process for writing and producing that like? Was the process any different creating a larger piece of work?
It was cool. I’d say I only got the concept and idea about 4 or 5 songs in, so I had those songs and then could see a thread appearing between them that tied them together, so I basically set my concept through those and made some more tracks with that in mind to make the album. The songs that came once the concept had been nailed are all my favourites actually, I think because they were inspired by something that felt really exciting rather than just making songs and thinking of them as singles. I love albums, so I am really excited about having one out in the world.
You recently released an ambient mix, how do you find experimenting with genres that perhaps aren’t always your default ‘style’?
Yeah, I absolutely love experimenting with sounds and styles. I’d hate to stay in the same lane. I think changing things up is what it’s all about. It keeps things fresh and creates space for you to learn and make mistakes which is when a lot of the best things happen!
How are preparations going for the tour in March?
It’s going okay! Trying to nail down the set list right now. I play on my own so actually motivating yourself to practise is always quite hard but we’ll get there…
One final thing, if money was not an issue, what would be your dream gig rider?
That’s a very good question. I have a real obsession for synthesizers and drum machines so a few of those would be really nice! I’ll take a Jupiter 8, an original Linn Drum and maybe some modular stuff. That would be really good for me. Thanks!
MAX RAD joins us at The Bodega on Saturday 4th March. Tickets are on sale now.
Interview by Fin Heighton-Jupp.
