Maxinne, Building Community All Over the World: Elevated Frequencies Episode #7

Olivia: Good. Well, Maxine, thank you so much for joining me. It's so nice to talk to you.

Maxine: Thank you for having me. It's nice to meet you, finally.

Olivia: Yeah, so tell me whereabouts are you calling from today?

Maxine: So I'm based in Southampton in the UK, so I'm just here while I'm not gigging, so this is where I live.

Olivia: Well, it seems like you do a lot of traveling. I was looking at your Instagram the other day and it's like every post, different city, different country. So you're actually at your home for right now.

Maxine: Yeah, so I have been traveling quite a lot, but I've had the last few weeks off, which has kind of been quite nice. I've just been getting my head stuck in the studio and just finishing off projects because when you're on the road, you kind of make, I like making stuff on my travels, so, you know, on the flights, on the, on the trains and stuff. So it's nice when you come home, you can really get stuck into just finishing those ideas off and yeah, getting them all mixed down, ready to send off to the labels and test out. So yeah, it's been nice, but I'll be back. on the road next weekend.

Olivia: Okay, so do you find that you tend to pull inspiration better when you're traveling, or is it something where you have to kind of be at home, like you said, to like hone that in?

Maxine: Yeah. Do you know what I feel like there's, I get inspiration from so many different places. It can be like when I'm out, sometimes just being out, you know, for the gigs and the clubs, I get loads of inspiration just hearing the music or you might be listening to one of your favorite DJs playing, you can come back and be really inspired by that. But then also you can be inspired by being at home and listening to like old records or just going through like... listening to samples. So there's so many ways of getting inspiration. Like sometimes you could be just out in town and you might hear a little song playing in a shop and that just sparks an idea like, oh, actually that would be a cool little melody to use. And then, yeah, you can just build ideas from there. So it kind of, it's always different really. I wouldn't say there's, I feel like for me, there's not like a set. way, there's not a set thing that inspires the ideas, it can be so many different things.

Olivia: Yeah, and I think it's really cool that when you do so much travel, you get such a diversity of people, food, environments. So it's got to just be really enriching for when you are in that creative mode, because it's like you've just seen so many different things, interacted with so many different people. That's got to be helpful, right?

Maxine: Definitely. That's one thing I absolutely love about this job is just seeing all the different cultures. Recently I've just been to Singapore and it was my first time in Singapore and it was amazing. The culture there, the people, the energy. It was kind of like a different crowd as well to play to. I've never played out there before and they're really into house music which was amazing. Yeah, and I just love, I just love meeting new people. Like, like you said, like meeting different people, all different cultures, different backgrounds. And America as well, I've been playing quite a lot in America

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: and it's such a big place, America, compared to the UK. So like each different country just has its own unique thing and everyone's different. I love just, yeah, I love just meeting different people and getting to explore different parts of the scene.

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: is really

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: interesting.

Olivia: Every state is so different. You don't realize, you know, I mean, I always, so I have family in Italy and Sicily and I always get jealous when they say they take a train, you know, to another country for the day. But then

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: I forget, I realize like, okay, wait, all of our states are so different, you know,

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: like, and it takes a while to get from, you know, We don't have the same luxury of travel that they do in Europe, but everywhere is so different. I can imagine probably playing in Brooklyn is different than playing in, I don't know what, Texas. Have you ever played in Texas?

Maxine: Yeah,

Olivia: You have?

Maxine: yeah, it

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: totally. Whereabouts are you from?

Olivia: I'm in Chicago and you have

Maxine: Oh, you're Chicago. Okay, amazing.

Olivia: a lot of fans here. I

Maxine: Oh,

Olivia: know that

Maxine: I

Olivia: for

Maxine: love,

Olivia: sure.

Maxine: I literally love Chicago. It's one of my favorite places to play. I think

Olivia: Is

Maxine: I played

Olivia: it?

Maxine: there since I got my US visa after COVID. I've played there quite a few times now and I just

Olivia: spy

Maxine: love,

Olivia: bar, right?

Maxine: yeah, that's right, Spy Bar, Concord. I played at Spy Bar a few times and then we had, yeah, I think there was one more show as well, but. It's like work, because house music began in Chicago as well. And the roots come from there and you can really feel that with the crowd because they really know, like they really know their music. They really connect to it. So yeah, I love Chicago. I love it. Love it there.

Olivia: Yes.

Maxine: But like you said, yeah, Chicago, like, you know, LA might be very different to playing in like Miami or Brooklyn. So,

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: yeah, it's just really interesting to see all the different parts of the. parts of the world and see how people react to the music. But it's so good because music just brings everyone together and I feel like that's one thing that kind of unifies all of us.

Olivia: Absolutely. The community aspect is unmatched. I think, I mean, every, every genre of music has something special, but house music, that community is what I think keeps people coming back. You know, these,

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: these clubs, they're, they're safe spaces to be able to express yourself, to let loose. So many people have like regular jobs where it's like, you know, they're in their, their corporate attire from nine to five and they wait.

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: Like they... Spending time seeing people like you play is like the highlight of their month, and that's got to feel pretty special.

Maxine: Yeah, no, to be able to share music and connect with people like that. Like even after I play, I love chatting to people that have come to see me and just connecting with people outside of the shows as well. I even might be on that social media as well. I really like connecting with people that support me and that follow me. So, yeah, it's such a nice feeling.

Olivia: I do see that on your social media a lot. You're very like, you interact with the fans and it genuinely looks like you recognize people like, oh, I know who you are, I've talked to you. And I think that's something really special that again, like other maybe, you know, top 40 music, whatever, they don't have that luxury. Like you're most likely never gonna meet like a pop star, but

Maxine: Hmm.

Olivia: with house music, we're so, we're all like intertwined with each other in the fact that you

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: take the time. to

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: do that because playing a set is a physical workout. Like it's

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: not, you know, you're in it, you're dancing, you're having fun, and then the fact that you take the time to talk to your fans after, that's really special.

Maxine: Yeah, and I just love like when you go to a show, if you see people from like the last show, if they've come

Olivia: Okay.

Maxine: to your next one, like recently played in Brooklyn, and there was people there from my last show in Brooklyn and yeah, after some after a few shows, you get to recognize people and some people become your friends, you know, it's that's what I love about how music can just bring people together. And even like my partner, I met him through like being in the music industry. And you

Olivia: That's

Maxine: know,

Olivia: awesome.

Maxine: like seven years later, we're still together. And I don't,

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: because of music, that's what brings people together. So I think it's just, yeah, it's just such a special thing.

Olivia: Yeah. So, okay. So I have a question about that. I have a couple of friends who have partners who are not into house music. And I feel like it's hard for them

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: because

Maxine: Are they DJs or are they...

Olivia: some are

Maxine: Yeah,

Olivia: DJs,

Maxine: bravins. Yeah.

Olivia: some are DJs, some are just, you know, fanatics.

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: And I feel like it's tough because how, I mean, there's day parties in the summer, right? But like, There's late nights

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: involved with this. My brother's

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: a DJ. He's only ever dated women who are also DJs because he's like,

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: I just need that level of understanding.

Maxine: They've got that like thing in common kind of thing,

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: yeah.

Olivia: And you just understand if you have to be in your, you know, in your studio locked away, getting a project done.

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: Do you think that, I mean, I don't want to say it's impossible to not be with someone who's not in the scene, but do you think that that really helps?

Maxine: I think like, I feel like the main thing is if you have the support and the sort of respect and trust for one another, you know, because, you know, in a nightclub, obviously you're surrounded by lots of people you have never met, there's guys, things like that. So you've got to have that trust and also support. Like if you've got a supportive partner and you're, you know, both supportive in each of your careers, then I think that really helps. But yeah, I've met people where they're into completely opposite things. Like one will be a DJ, one will have a partner who's not really into the music so much. But there might be a common thing that they both have in common that brings them together. It's hard to say, isn't it? Because everyone's so different. But I think, I can imagine it is challenging at the same time if you're completely different and you're not, you know. One might be out spending late nights, things like that. And the other one, if they're not into that, into going out, then it could be a challenge. But yeah, I think

Olivia: I

Maxine: it

Olivia: think.

Maxine: all just comes down to the person.

Olivia: What I think and what is true to me, I mean, myself and my husband, we go for the music. We don't go for like the club, the other parts, right?

Maxine: yeah you're like more passionate about music

Olivia: And

Maxine: side yeah

Olivia: I think that's most fans. I mean, if you strip away the bottle service, the BS, most of us are there just for the music, right? Like

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: you're... That's... you're intentionally going to see a specific artist, you're there for the community. And so that's hard to explain, I think, to people who just go to like regular clubs. You know what

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: I mean? Where it's just open, top 40, whatever.

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: And so I really do think that's like a special thing that when you have that connection with somebody, whether it's a partner or friends, it just knits that bond even closer.

Maxine: Yeah, definitely. Especially like having a career in the industry, I think it's good to have like a support network in general. Whether that's your partner or your friends or your family, like just having people that, you know, it's like having your tribe, isn't it? And the people around you who, you know, understand what you're doing and yeah, just support you in general. So I think that's really important.

Olivia: Yeah, that's something that's on my mind a lot, especially lately. And I want to hear, well, let me take a step back. How old are you, do you mind me asking?

Maxine: At 132.

Olivia: Okay, me too.

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: So

Maxine: Oh, you. Okay.

Olivia: yeah, so as you know, it's different, obviously you, you know, working in the scene. I mean, this is your job,

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: but as I go through life, I think friend groups change, right? As you get older and your priorities shift. And I've been on this quest to like balance being able to enjoy this part of my life. It's something I'll never let go. And it's course for you, this is literally your career,

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: but then also thrive in other areas, right? Like my business, you know, being healthy, just finding the balance. And

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: you talked about support network. I want to know how it is for you building a support network of people that kind of support like all your life's goals, right?

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: Like, and people who understand that for you, this isn't just like a party life. This is literally your career, your bread and butter. So how have

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: you kind of shaped that as your career has evolved?

Maxine: Yeah, I mean, my circle is pretty small, I'd say like, I know a lot of people and I've got a lot of friends. Yeah, I've got a lot of friends I hang out with, but my close knit circle is pretty small. And I've kind of always liked that, you know, because we just, it just, it's just kind of flow, flow like flows organically kind of thing. So yeah, my partner, he's like super supportive. He's kind of been with me. on my journey since the beginning as well, since when I, like about eight years ago, when I started getting into DJing, I was living in London. And yeah, when I moved to London, I wasn't really like the scene from where I grew up. It was quite, there wasn't a lot of house music. Like I wasn't going out to a lot of house music events. So when I moved to London, that really helped me to kind of expose myself to like more of the industry. more nightclubs, more DJs and just meeting more people, like meeting more people in the scene. And then through that, that's when I really started to learn and pick up things like production and things kind of built from there. So my network built like that. And I built like a crew in London that we all really, really supported each other. But yeah, cause I've like moved since then, I've like lived in Ibiza and then I've moved, now I live in Southampton. Yeah, it's just kind of knowing, you know, along your journey, you get to meet people who are sort of, you just gel really well with. But because my partner, he's sort of been with me since the beginning when I moved to London. He knows, he's just been with me for everything. So it just, he's like my biggest supporter. And yeah, it's just, I'd say he's like the one that, yeah, it's just... always supported me if there's anything, like even with production, like he's got a really good ear for music. So like I'll finish tracks and he loves listening to them and he'll, you know, he'll give me some feedback and critical feedback I love hearing that as well, like change this, change that, do that, always open to ideas. So yeah, I just think, I suppose along the journey you just get to know who your people are really. But yeah, in general... There's lots of people around that are supportive and it goes hand in hand. You know, supporting each other and getting the support back is

Olivia: Yeah,

Maxine: really important.

Olivia: that's really, I love to hear that about your partner. I think a lot of people are jaded nowadays about having a partner or being in relationships. And sometimes I feel like I like hack some sort of cheat code, finding someone. And it sounds like the same for you. Like you

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: have this amazing person who is literally your home

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: and you can trust him with everything from, you know, whatever it is that you're dealing with. And that's just like, I don't know, it's rare. It's really rare to have something like that. And that's really beautiful.

Maxine: Yeah, yeah, it's great to hear that you have that as well. I think like when you find that is something really special. But yeah, I'm just super happy. Like he's he's very focused on like his work and stuff. And I'm focused on my projects and we just both really are supportive towards each other.

Olivia: That's awesome. Does he travel with you most of the time?

Maxine: He does, not all the time, but he will come as much as he can. If I come doing like a US weekend and it's sort of in and out, like a short weekend, he doesn't always come to them once because it's quite a long flight. It's like the

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: nine, 10 hours flight.

Olivia: Yes.

Maxine: But if I'm going to be in that country for a little bit longer, say, you know, five days or something, it will be more worth while him coming. So...

Olivia: Right.

Maxine: He recently came, where did he last come with me? He's been to like New York with me, Dubai. Yeah, that was the last time I think Dubai. He came along to that one, which was really nice because we were there for like four days. So yeah, we got to just explore a bit around the gig and get to see it a bit more. So yeah, he loves it though. He loves the music scene. Like he used to work in the music industry as well. So like it just... brought us together and he's got a real passion for music so he loves coming to my gigs but yeah he doesn't always come to all of them now but yeah.

Olivia: Yeah, yeah. Those quick flights back and forth, that's got to be tough, you know, to end with him having his own job. So that actually leads me to my next question, something I always like to ask people who travel a lot because I've just recently started traveling more and I'm not good at it. And you

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: have to be good at it when you have your type of job.

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: So how do you... And I think it's, I mean, I don't want to like gender this, but as women, I think we have a lot more that goes into like, I don't know, we tend to have better routines and whatever. So like, how do you get into routine? Whether it's like sleep, winding down for bed,

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: what do you bring when you're traveling all the time? Because like, I'm on a quest to figure out how to make that work.

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: And you're probably an expert at

Maxine: So

Olivia: this point.

Maxine: what do you struggle with when you're travelling? Like what sort of things?

Olivia: I can't

Maxine: Is it the sleep, like the jet lag or?

Olivia: sleep, not knowing the right amount of stuff to bring. It's either always

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: too much or too little.

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: And being like, I'm very much a homebody and in my routine. So I don't know,

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: are you or are you really just good with being on the fly?

Maxine: So I'm quite organized, like I like being, I do like having that organization. But so for example, if I go on like a longer tour, like for example, I went on like a three week tour once, I didn't pack a checked bag because I was going to different, because I was gonna be going in and out. I think it was maybe eight different places I was going to. I just thought having to check the bag. Collect it at each place was going to

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: cause more headaches. So I just made So I've got the hand luggage bag This

Olivia: Okay.

Maxine: little you know, the little suitcase and then I put the and then I brought a big like handbag with me and now just Made sure I had enough stuff in there. So I feel like that really helped with just reducing

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: like time at the airports and things like that

Olivia: You always have different outfits though in your Instagram pictures. So

Maxine: Do

Olivia: do

Maxine: you

Olivia: you

Maxine: think?

Olivia: buy stuff? Yeah. Do you buy stuff when

Maxine: I feel

Olivia: you're...

Maxine: like I wear the same things.

Olivia: No,

Maxine: It's always

Olivia: I swear.

Maxine: black. Yeah.

Olivia: I swear you have like different outfits. So do you ever buy

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: stuff when you're in the countries or do you just like, what I'm bringing is what I'm bringing?

Maxine: Yeah, I'll buy, sometimes I'll pick up a few little bits. If I've got time, I'll go exploring and have a look at the shops. But yeah, I wouldn't go too crazy. Like sometimes in America, there's like amazing trainers and stuff. But yeah, I tend to just, if there's a few like little t-shirts or,

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: you know, little bits I can pack in. But in general, I feel like the hardest bit of, I'd say the traveling is probably the jet lag with America. Um, but I've, I'll take the, um, you know, the melatonin, uh,

Olivia: Yes,

Maxine: gummies.

Olivia: oh yes, yes.

Maxine: Oh yeah. Yeah. I just have like one of them on the flight home and then I'll just like conk out. And then by the time I've landed in the UK, I've had like a good sleep, but, um, yeah, it can't, it's definitely challenging. And most people I speak to say like, it has, that's it's challenging. You, you might've had no sleep and then you've got to get on the flight to go to the next gig the following day. Um. But yeah, I think just the music in general just keeps you buzzing and the whole experience of like traveling and seeing different countries, I feel like that excitement of it all just keeps you really awake and excited and keeps the momentum going. And obviously the shows, as soon as you get to the show, the energy you get like from playing out and the energy from the crowd, that. that instantly wipes away any tiredness that you could have,

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: I feel.

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: But yeah, no, I'd say, like, I feel like the more I've done it, not easier, because there's always little hiccups along the way, but the more you have this sort of set routine, like

Olivia: This is

Maxine: have

Olivia: it.

Maxine: I checked that I've got my passport? Have I checked that I've got all my USBs? You know, you kind of get into this habit of, before I leave, I'm gonna make sure I've done this, this and this. But like the first time, like years ago, when I started going, traveling outside of the UK for gigs, it's always a little bit like, oh, you know, you feel, especially if you're on your own, but I feel like the more, it's like anything, the more you do something, the better you kind of get at it.

Olivia: Yeah, and you made a great point. I mean, you are living this, I mean, I don't want to put words in your mouth, but it sounds like you have this amazing life where you're experiencing so many amazing things. You're just in the moment. And

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: to be able to just do all this, you know, these cool different things for your career, it's not like you're traveling for boring reasons. Like you're there and it sounds like you're seizing the moment. I'm in Dubai for four days. Let's have the best time ever, you know. whatever happens happens, if there's hiccups, like you're just living it. And I think too, I mean, I hate talking about COVID, but like, especially after COVID, that's so important to

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: just, you know, make the most of everything.

Maxine: Yeah, 100%. I think, yeah, just having music, having the music taking me to these different places is just something I'm just so grateful for. So when I do go away, I'm just always like really buzzing and really excited. And like some people say, oh, how do you travel on your own? Because I travel quite a bit on my own,

Olivia: Okay.

Maxine: like to America and that recently. And I honestly love I love just traveling around. Like I'll have my laptop with me. If I'm on the flight, like I can get on with, you know, doing work on the plane, like production or whatever it is, sorting out like playlists for my gigs. So, and also I feel like with social media now, I always feel connected to people, like, you know, through social media and Instagram, like you might. get interactions from your followers about certain gigs and things like that. And you just always feel connected. I

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: feel like now, whereas if we didn't have our, that if we didn't have our phone, I'd definitely be, you know, feel a bit more isolated, but yeah, it's fine. And yeah, just embrace it and enjoy it. So, yeah, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just,

Olivia: And I want to talk about your music in a second, but to wrap up this point about travel, I have to mention this, and I want to know if you've had any surprises at different airports, but

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: I just went to London for the first time in February and

Maxine: Okay.

Olivia: flew into Italy first to stay with my family. And then we did London and we, I never thought I'd have a chance to go to Printworks because... bit closing, but we did. And so

Maxine: amazing

Olivia: we went on the last day before our flight. So we went on a Friday and our flight was at noon on Saturday and we didn't fly into Heathrow. We flew into what's there's another airport, right?

Maxine: Was it Gatwick Airport?

Olivia: I think so. I don't

Maxine: It might have been from, oh, there's Stansted,

Olivia: That

Maxine: Luton,

Olivia: one.

Maxine: London City Airport,

Olivia: Yeah, so

Maxine: yeah.

Olivia: I didn't know, I was not prepared for how nice Heathrow was going to be.

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: And typically when I travel, I like to look presentable, comfortable

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: but presentable because, there's all different kinds of people in the airport. Well, let's just say I did not look presentable after being at print work. And then,

Maxine: We've all been there.

Olivia: yeah, and basically having to take a Uber directly to the airport. And when

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: we got in there and everybody was so nice and accommodating, which is not typical of airports in the United States,

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: you're generally getting like pushed around by TSA and like, you don't even know, like, you know, your head spinning by the time you actually get to the gate.

Maxine: Hmm.

Olivia: I kind of had to like take several breaths and realize that I was in a really fancy, nice place, especially with all the shopping and stuff. And I was so embarrassed. I was like, next time I come back here, like,

Maxine: I'm

Olivia: I feel like...

Maxine: sorry.

Olivia: They have like they put me on CCTV like because I just looked insane like I looked like a gremlin.

Maxine: So do you gone, so you went to print works and then did you not have much sleep as well?

Olivia: No, no.

Maxine: Was it just like straight through?

Olivia: Yes.

Maxine: Yeah. Oh, I've done that.

Olivia: Which was good to sleep on the plane. But so point of the story is it surprised me how beautiful the airport was.

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: And I'm wondering if you've had any experiences in the US, good or bad, where the travels just like you got to an airport, you're like, where the hell am I?

Maxine: Hmm. I feel like there's not one that sticks out like that's been really bad. I'd say there's been like huge queues. I think at like New York,

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: New York is usually, there's always queues there in Miami. But yeah, I've done them ones where I've gone to a gig and then gone back to the hotel. I've had like one hour sleep and then I've had to get up to go straight to the airport. And you're just at the airport, like, so you just feel like a zombie. Um, and I, yeah. And if I'm traveling on my own, I'm like, Oh, am I going to like fall asleep? You know, if you're

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: in the gate and then you're just like slowly drifting off and I'm like, Oh, am I going to fall asleep and miss my flight? So

Olivia: Yep.

Maxine: it's always that. Um, but then, yeah, I'm just trying to remember like so many different airports that I've been to. Um, I went to Singapore recently. That airport was insane. I know it's

Olivia: Oh, I

Maxine: not

Olivia: bet.

Maxine: the US, but like it's got like this. Waterfall is full of trees everywhere. It's

Olivia: Wow.

Maxine: just amazing. It's like a whole, you could have several hours just enjoying yourself at the airport.

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: There's loads of things to do there.

Olivia: That's so cool. And it's funny because like, I feel like when I'm at the airport after a long weekend, like, wow, nobody knows what I just did. Like everybody's living their own lives and like,

Maxine: No one notices, yeah. I mean,

Olivia: I know.

Maxine: yeah, it's

Olivia: I know. Right.

Maxine: definitely one of the things.

Olivia: I remind myself, I'm like, you're not that important. Like nobody's looking at you crazy. Like, yeah, yeah.

Maxine: Well, people are probably also doing the same is what

Olivia: Yeah,

Maxine: it is as

Olivia: that's

Maxine: well.

Olivia: true. True.

Maxine: You

Olivia: So,

Maxine: know, or

Olivia: well,

Maxine: whatever.

Olivia: that's. Yeah, that's really cool. It's, I mean, you've had such an incredible career so far and you're so young and I'm so excited for you to go to even more places. I mean, it sounds like you've checked off some really cool, you know, countries off the list.

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: So I want to talk about your music. I know you have an EP that just came out and it seems

Maxine: Yep.

Olivia: like you're constantly producing. Is that,

Maxine: Mmm.

Olivia: you know... For everyone, it's a little bit different, the balance between DJing and producing, but you just have such an incredible body of music. How

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: are you able to balance gigging and then also being able to just come up with brand new stuff all the time?

Maxine: Yeah, I feel like, I mean, even like after some gigs, there might be times where I am more tired, like if I've come back, but I'll always find a little bit of time every day or some days I don't, but there'll always be some time in the day where I'm like creating something or working on an old idea. Like I have so many ideas on my computer that I don't, that I have never put out, you know, there's just, there's always ideas on the go. But yeah, I'd just say I love production. So it's just something that I always spend a bit of time on. Like if I'm on the road, I love like producing. If I'm in a hotel, just sort of killing a bit of time or on the plane, I'll always be working on something. So yeah, I think it's just the amount of time I put into it kind of leads to... you know, the releases and things like that. And I think over the years, I've just always been quite dedicated to production because I just really enjoy it. So yeah, I just love being able to like create something from a thought or

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: like something in your head or you might hear, like some people ask me how I start my tracks and it's kind of always different every time. Like it might be like a vocal or sample or yeah, just anything like the drums. it always changes, but I think I'm just, yeah, I don't know. I just feel like I'm always getting inspired, inspiration from a lot of different places. So that always leads to me laying down the ideas and creating stuff.

Olivia: And I think I read somewhere you listened to like hip hop and R&B when you were younger, right?

Maxine: Yeah,

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: obsessed,

Olivia: Do

Maxine: literally.

Olivia: you think that that... And do you still listen to hip hop and R&B? Yeah.

Maxine: Yeah, a hundred, I go through phases where like, I'll listen to like really old playlists from like the 90s.

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: That's the kind of hip hop I love, like the 90s, that kind of era. Yeah, I just love that kind of genre. And that's definitely inspired my sound. Like I grew up listening to like Garage and R&B and they've got a lot of like soul in them. So it's kind of like taking the kind of Garage that I used to listen to was quite underground. And then if you mix that with like soulful vocals from like hip hop and R&B, it kind of draws, if I draw all those inspirations and put them into my own music, that's kind of how I've supposed created my sound. But yeah, it's always evolving as well, so.

Olivia: Yeah, there's just something, I mean, we're the same age, so I, you know,

Maxine: Mm-hmm.

Olivia: the hip hop from the 90s and R&B, there's just

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: something about it that brings you back. Like I remember listening to it in, you know, the backseat of my parents' car. You know

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: what I mean? Like hearing it on the radio, like it's just a special, you know, and I don't want to sound like a... like, you know, all back in my day, like, cause we're not that old, but like that

Maxine: Hmm.

Olivia: was when there was no cell phones. You had to wait to hear a song on the radio. Like you just didn't have, it wasn't on demand. So like hearing your favorite song was like, I don't know if I'm gonna hear this for another week. So like

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: I have to savor this moment right now.

Maxine: Yeah. Yeah. And I remember like just having like the whole albums and then just

Olivia: Mm-hmm.

Maxine: rinsing them. Like I'd listen to them from the very start right to the end and just put them back to the beginning and just absolutely just rinsing albums. Like I think now there's a lot of singles. Well, there is still a lot of albums, but it's a lot more digital. I had the sort of physical

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: albums. So yeah, I just... And then when I started driving, I used to just play music in my car all the time and I just got obsessed. But I never really listened to house music like when I was that age, I was always into hip hop. Just because I wasn't really exposed to house music at that time. And then when I started going to like festivals and then I went to Ibiza, that's when I really heard like house and techno in like. big clubs on big sound systems. And it's like a whole new experience.

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: And then from there, it was, yeah, it just grew and grew. My love for house music grew, but yeah, I still listen to, still listen to hip hop and all the, all those, very nostalgic, isn't it? Listening to like 90s hip hop.

Olivia: which

Maxine: Takes

Olivia: is.

Maxine: you back to like those good memories. ["Spring Day"]

Olivia: It is. And do you remember the first house song you ever heard?

Maxine: Ooh, that's a good one. First ever house song.

Olivia: or like electronic in general.

Maxine: I mean, the first, yeah, I think the first festival I went to was called Love Box Festival in London. That was, I can't remember exactly who it was. I think it might've been maybe like Disclosure were headlining, but there was also like a drum and bass stage, but the club, I remember, I have a lot of memories at Amnesia in Ibiza. Just, I used to go there a lot when I first started. I still go there a lot now, but when I first started listening to house music, like I went there a lot and then, yeah, just, I can't remember specifically like names of tracks, but sometimes you'll hear it and then you'll be like, Oh yeah,

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: I remember that from, from when we went there.

Olivia: Yeah, my first exposure to electronic music was hardstyle.

Maxine: Okay.

Olivia: I don't listen to hardstyle anymore. I have an

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: appreciation because like my 13-year-old self was like, oh my God, this is a... I think it was like that rebellious like, I'm going to listen to the most aggressive music possible to annoy my parents.

Maxine: yeah yeah yeah

Olivia: But

Maxine: feels

Olivia: yeah,

Maxine: like

Olivia: it's...

Maxine: a hard hard house style

Olivia: I think that's what it's called now. It

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: was Showtech and I think they still play

Maxine: Okay,

Olivia: music, I think.

Maxine: yeah.

Olivia: Yeah,

Maxine: Is it quite

Olivia: but it,

Maxine: fast BPM? Like is it

Olivia: very,

Maxine: quite fast tempo? Hmm.

Olivia: very, very, very, yes. And I sometimes I'll still dabble in that, you know, I'm like, but

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: I like the journey. I like, you know, being able to be taken on a journey. Back then, like I said, I think it was just like 13 year old rebellion and aggression, like. Let me blast

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: the most loudest thing I can, cause

Maxine: Yeah.

Olivia: I'm mad at my mom or something.

Maxine: I think we all go through phases, don't we, like of listening to just all different and I love that though, because you get all different inspirations from

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: all the different styles. I used to listen to like drum and bass. I wouldn't, I don't really listen to that now, although I really like, I like the genre, but I just don't really listen to it. But there's still inspirations from there that you can draw into your own taste

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: of what you listen to now.

Olivia: Yeah, it seems like there's a lot of intermingling of genres now. It's not as like clearly defined as

Maxine: Hmm.

Olivia: it used to be. And I love that. And I mean, you see these different

Maxine: I love

Olivia: artists

Maxine: them.

Olivia: now like collaborating with other people that you never thought would happen.

Maxine: Mm.

Olivia: And yeah, it just makes the community stronger, right? And it's,

Maxine: 100%,

Olivia: like you said, it's...

Maxine: yeah. That's what it's about, isn't it? It should be about sharing that common thing that you're both into, which is the love for the music. And if you can intertwine two different styles or whatever it is, you can create something really cool. And that's how new genres get created, isn't it? By

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: things being mixed together, and then it might create a new sound, and then that might spark. sparked something completely fresh.

Olivia: Yeah. Well, Maxine, it's been such a privilege to talk to you. I'm so grateful for

Maxine: Thank

Olivia: your time.

Maxine: you so much. Yeah, it's

Olivia: Yeah.

Maxine: been so nice to talk to you.

Olivia: And before we wrap up, just tell me in the audience what you have going on this summer.

Maxine: So this summer I've got loads of shows, like US shows. I've got some really good exciting ones in the UK as well. Production-wise I'm working on, I've just finished up a remix for one of my favorite girl duos, which I'll be announcing soon. So I've just, yeah, kind of finishing that up now. So that remix will come out, I think end of July, which yeah, isn't too, well, about a month or so away. Cause time just flies by, doesn't it? And then, yeah, I'm going to be, I'm going to be launching my own label as well. Later on this year, record label, which I'm just sort of working on at the moment behind the scenes. So that's all, it's all coming together really well. So yeah, I'm excited for that. And then, yeah, just, just mix, a mixture of production and the gigs and just continuing to, continuing to do what I do really.

Olivia: Staying busy. Well, thank you again for your time. It was so nice to talk to you.

Maxine: It was really nice to talk to you. Thank you so much.

Olivia: Thank you. And I hope if you come to Chicago soon, I would love to see you play again.

Maxine: 100%, yeah.