We spoke with Max Dean, a name extremely hot on the underground scene at the moment! With his recent release on East End Dubs record label Eastenderz, we thought it was a good time to have a chat with him!
Hi Max, how are you doing?
Very well! Happy & healthy 🙂
Firstly, what new music do you have coming out in the next few months?
I have upcoming releases on Solid Grooves, BoxRed, FourThirtyTwo, Moxy & my own label NeXup. Also recently released an EP on East End Dubs label, Eastenderz.
How do you juggle performing and producing music at the same time?
Whenever I get some spare time between traveling got shows I’m always creating new ideas and finishing old projects on my laptop. If I’m home in the UK I’ll definitely cram in a studio session.
When producing, how many tracks do you finish when on the road?
It’s rare a track of mine will be 100% finished on the road however, it would definitely be playable for clubs to test & go back to when in the studio to fully complete.
Would you say your sound has changed over the last few years? (If so, how has it changed?)
Even though I’m very much in the early stages of my career I would definitely say my sound has changed since my first ever release. My first release was on an Italian label called “Substrate”, the track was very acid infused. I’m definitely gravitating towards the more hard hitting house sounds with 90s infuses stabs and chords.
What are your top 5 artists who are your inspirations to the music you are producing today?
Archie Hamilton
East End Dubs
Rossi.
Jamie Jones
Luke Dean
If any artists have promos for you, where is the best way of sending them to you?
Do you have any exciting bookings you’d like to talk about that are happening this year?
I’m making my Amnesia debut for Paradise & DC10 debut for Solid Grooves this summer in Ibiza.
Any plans on starting your own record label?
Yes, I’ve begun the process of starting my own record label/party “NEXUP” with the ethos of finding and helping push the next generation of artists.
Who are your top 5 artists you are digging at the moment?
Luke Dean
Mad.again
Locky
Gaskin
CANDIDATE
Away from dance music, what is your go to music to listen to?
I listen to a lot of funk and soul from the 80s
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
To grow as a Dj and develop my sound and brand/record label.
What’s the funniest story you have whilst being on the road?
During my Ecuador tour, we were on the road trying to find a place to eat and it was during carnival where all the kids stand outside with buckets of water and hose pipes and water guns. Me and my girlfriend were both so hungry trying to find a restaurant but we couldn’t because it was so busy everywhere was full and we were in the middle of nowhere.
So we decided to walk to a restaurant on the outskirts of the town thinking we’d be safe from being drenched by the locals with water and soap. However we were terribly wrong as we crossed a bridge, a bunch of local kids absolutely drenched us with gallons of water. We were soaking wet. At the time it was traumatic for my girlfriend but looking back at it we laughed so much that it was one of the key moments of the tour! 🙂
What’s the worst story you have whilst being on the road?
On the same tour we traveled for 17 hours in a car driving through the mountains and my girlfriend and myself had food poisoning from some dodgy prawns we ate before we left. Not a fun trip at all 😂
