Oregon-bred, Nashville-based country singer Max McNown has released his new EP, Both Sides of The Blade. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
22-year-old Max, who recently played the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin, began his musical career busking at the beach in Southern California and posting his songs on TikTok before releasing his debut album, Wandering.
We need your consent to load this Spotify contentWe use Spotify to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
"When I was younger I sang around the house all the time - I'd sing in the shower or before I went to bed, I’d always sing in the car," he says.
"My mom used to tell us growing up that singing means you have a happy heart. Even if the song’s about something difficult or painful, I still have a happy heart when I sing."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am from Oregon, nature is very important to me and I've really tried to lean into that part of my personality and my career because it's very important and makes me who I am.
Graduating during Covid wasn't easy - video games were huge on getting me through it. I was a fan of the Call of Duty franchise for a while as well as Rocket League.
I love animals, specifically dogs. My dog, Zion, is one of my greatest loves - I love him SO much and hiking with him is exactly how I like to spend my time when I'm back home.
How would you describe your music?
My music is honest. Pretty much every song I write stems from my own personal experiences. I write music with the primary goal of helping people and specifically making people feel less alone because that's what music did for me throughout my life and specifically in my high school years.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I was inspired by a lot of the artists I was raised on - my dad played me a lot of Jack Johnson, Jon Foreman, Matt Kearney, Amos Lee, Supertones, etc. And in my own life, I found Gregory Alan Isakov, Noah Kahan, Sam Burchfield, Caamp - so those kind of really inspire the music I create now.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
NF - the rapper. I knew every single song word for word. NF honestly saved me with his lyrics and his storytelling and it was one of those shows I knew I had to see.
What was the first record you ever bought?
A Frank Sinatra Christmas album
What’s your favourite song right now?
Hurt by the Nine Inch Nails, covered by Johnny Cash - the music video specifically is so powerful
Favourite lyric of all time?
From Tyler Childers’ Shake The Frost: "I love you like the mountains love the way the morning opens to a soft and bright greeting from the sun". I think that's one of the most beautiful ways to say "I love you" that I've ever heard.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Free by Zac Brown Band - there's heavy sentimental value to it and it takes me back to my younger years. It goes best in the car with the windows down.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Music on all platforms, updates at maxmcnown.com, Instagram is where you can find most - @maxmcnown.
Alan Corr
