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Rachel Rixham catches up with Max Graham for a chat! (Includes your questions)

MAX GRAHAM ARTIST INTRODUCTION

Max Graham needs no introduction, from his early Trance hits “Airtight” and “I Know You’re Gone” to his 2010 Vocal smashes “Sun in the Winter” and “Nothing Else Matters” this man clearly knows how to make, and play, records that both get you dancing and touch you emotionally.

Fast forward to 2011 and you’ll find the release of Max’s next bomb “So Caught Up” with Neev Kennedy. Released on his own label “Re*brand Records” it’s received multiple plays on the biggest radio show’s in the world such as ASOT and TATW as well as being featured on Armin Van Buuren’s cd “A State of Trance 2011”. Along with these moving studio productions Max is more than at home In the Dj Booth. When Max plays he shows an enthusiasm for the crowd he’s performing for with interaction and energy that’s infectious. He plays a signature brand of dance music that, while containing primarily Trance and Progressive, is by no means closed to great music from all genres.

His sets have rocked over 65 countries in his illustrious career and show no signs of slowing down!

www.maxgraham.com
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MAX GRAHAM INTERVIEW FOR BEATSMEDIA

Rachel Rixham: You’ve just released your new compilation “Cycles 3” on the Armada label and the feedback from fans online has been immense, are you happy with the final result?

Max Graham: Very, so much great music around. it’s a great reflection of what’s be hot on the radio show and i think anyone who’s into the show will enjoy it but also it’s an accurate reflection of where i’m at as a DJ these days.

The new album takes the name of your radio show, “Cycles Radio”, why? And what is it with you and bikes? Or is there some other meaning behind the title “Cycles”?

Max: Well actually Cycles1 came out before the radio show, when i started the show it was natural to give it the same name so there was a synergy. Sort of how Armin release a state of trance cd. made sense to me :). The word Cycles has nothing to do with bikes, Cycles means “A process that returns to its beginning and repeats itself in the same sequence” which is things like Seasons, The Sun and of course Music. As you know our music scene is filled with cycles of music as everything comes back around. Bi-Cycle simply means a device that has two (bi) things that go around (cycles)

In regards to your radio show which now sees it’s 35th session, what can we expect and where can we catch the show?

Max: Well the show is every Tuesday on DI.FM’s “Dj Mixes” channel and of course you can catch the re*cycle every Friday on my website (maxgraham.com). It’s really cool live as people use the hashtag #cyclesradio and interact during the show. Makes the whole experience that much better.

Your label Re*brand Records homes some very admirable names such as Protoculture, D-Mad, Fadios, and Steve Haines what’s up next for the label? Can we look forward to a new single or album shortly perhaps?

Max: Yeah really happy with Re*brand this year, Protoculture and i have become good friends and obviously his music is just on fire at the moment, i think Sun Gone Down is one of THE tracks of 2011. Steve Haines has a really cool unique sound and Fadios is growing as a producer every day. Very excited to build these guys and hopefully add some new names to the label also. Next up for me is a new single with Susana that’s finished but still under wraps and an artist album in the Summer. Working on it now.

Your new compilation “Cycles 3” features many sort after names such as Heatbeat, Sophie Sugar, Andrew Bayer, Orjan Nilsen and Alex Morph, and also upcoming artists like Audien, Cramp, and MeHilove, not to mention your labels Re*Branded residents, which all contribute to a very respectable track listing, how long did it take you to compile the tracks and finalize an order with which you were happy?

Max: The process takes about a month, two weeks of finding music and licensing it from the labels. Then about a week of trying things out and moving things around.Then a few days or proof listening. Then mastering and you’re done.

“Grace – Not Over Yet” has always been a past favourite of mine, it was great to see it given a new lease of life in 2011, with a bunch of remixes and of course a riveting rendition from yourself and Protoculture. What made you decide to remix it? And how did the collaboration with yourself and “Protoculture” for that specific remix come about?

Max: It’s funny how it happened, i posted on Twitter that this was one of my favourite tracks of all time and Perfecto saw it and offered me the remix. I had written the main riff and a lot of the strings then handed it off to nate to add his amazing drums and bass. We inspire each other so it works well. To be honest neither of us expected this incredible reaction but obviously we’re happy with it. Was an honour to work on such a legendary vocal.

Your track “F.Y.C.” has already made it in to Markus Schulz‘s Be @ Space compilation, and hones a dark progressive groove and dusky depths, it a sure winner for the dance-floor. Can you tell us more? where did the inspiration come from? and what was your intention?

Max: That’s more my old style, i love stuttery riffs that are kinda dark and driving. The drums inspiration actually came from seeing Markus at a party in Montreal when he was playing a lot of his Dakota stuff. So i went in to the studio with that style in mind so it’s funny that Markus ended up liking the track so much.

Select 5 tracks from the compilation that you feel, “best represent” the overall sound of “Cycles 3”, please give us a short description of what each track means to you.

Protoculture – Topaz -progressive at it’s finest, nice little riff that lifts you.
Orjan Nilsen – Lucky Strike – a monster exclusive for the CD, driving and simple. Nothing too fluffy just proper club music.
KhoMha – 507 – another very original track, pumping but with a really cool riff. Amazing production quality too.
Heatbeat – Roses Never Cry – Probably the best produced record on the CD, these guys know their way around both the emotion of music and the coolest studio tricks to keep things really interesting.
Soundprank – The Time Machine / Beginnings – Anything by soundprank at the moment is just excellent, his melodies are really good and smooth.

I’m going to finish the interview with some questions from your avid fans, thank you for taking part in this interview, I wish you many years of continued success.

Max: thank you!

Mostafa Hashish asks: Where do you see Progressive House and Trance going now? do you think we’re stuck in a tech-style era of trance? or is it moving elsewhere?

Max: I have no idea where the music scene is going, that’s the beauty of it.

Jay Crossingham asks: Given that it seems impossible to write something that is truly timeless, What was the inspiration behind “I know You’re Gone”? – #Genius!

Max: Well i have to give credit to Jessica Riddle for that one, she wrote the original as an A-cappella with piano and i turned it into a house track, but wow what a track she wrote!

NiduDivakaran asks: Do you regret taking a break from music to open an apple store?

Max: Not at all. The inspration after i came back was well worth the time doing something else.

Djklarity: What is your favourite hardware synthesizer? And what drives you the most when in the studio?

Max: The Virus although i rarely use it any more. Sylenth has been my go to synth. What drives me most? Espresso haha.

And finally Elliott Stanley asks: When are you coming back to play in the UK?! You’re an amazing DJ and great producer, and we don’t get the chance to see you enough here!

Max: That’s up to your promoters :) Unless you’re a top ten dj you can’t really choose where you play, you have to hope that the local promoters book you. Best thing for fans to do is to message your local promoters though facebook or twitter and let them know who you want them to book.

Out now: Max Graham presents Cycles 3

On ‘Cycles 3’ Max Graham shows EDM land why, 15 years after he first touched the decks, he still hasn’t lost the feel of dance music. With a sound that sways between trance and progressive, he introduces the listeners of ‘Cycles 3’ to the tracks of Heatbeat, Protoculture, Andrew Bayer, Ørjan Nilsen, Soundprank, D-Mad, DNS Project and more. More than just beats and sounds coming together, ‘Cycles 3’ tells you a story untold.

Grab yourself a copy right here

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