Canada no doubt has one of the richest dance cultures in the world. As the home to acts like deadmau5, Richie Hawtin, A-Trak, and Zeds Dead, Canada has seen many of its own become globe-trotting DJs and achieve worldwide fame at a clip that suggests there might be something in the water. One name that looks to continue the trend is 15-year-old Maxum.
The Toronto native has recently caught the attention of a few big name DJs and his podcast has too, recently becoming one of iTunes' "New & Noteworthy." Maxum might not have graduated high school yet, but he's already better than 90% of my inbox. I ran through some of his unreleased material after I met the humble yet driven producer in Miami and immediately noticed that he had something others didn't.
At this point, it might seem like a guessing game to think he's going to do well, but he has a knack for picking tracks and what we've heard from his productions suggests he has a knack for that, too. As long as he doesn't get stuck in one style, we're hoping to see Maxum develop into a bright young star. Listen to Maxum's podcast and you'll get a feel for his DJing and his future.
Along with the mix, we had a chance to talk to Maxum.
Getting His Start
"This was a hobby for me when I was 11. My brother was producing music so he got me a copy of Logic Pro and in between his studio sessions I would teach myself, with his guidance of course. I decided to take it more seriously when I was consistently being encourage by family and friends to showcase my stuff. I did it because people loved what I was creating and there is no better feeling as an artist than to have your music positively affect people."
How his age as affected him so far
"The only affect so far has been about me getting into nightclubs. I don't even bother though, I know I am not meant to be there yet, I get my inspiration elsewhere. Also, when I send a demo to a label, it always crosses my mind, 'will they see my age in my bio and immediately disregard the music? or will they feel more inclined to check it out and think its great for my age?' I don't want to know if it's great for my age, I want it to be great overall. I started leaving out my age in my demo e-mails, it's irrelevant, music is music, I don't think my age affects my style or ability. I have spent enough time in the studio, despite my age, to know what I want to make and how I will make it, but I am still learning everyday - that's my favorite part!"
Fitting into the scene
"I don't, I'm young and I don't go to nightclubs. Only recently in Miami I had my first chance to witness a DJ play live, that was incredible. The music I am creating now has emotional melodies, those fit in. If you can create uplifting music that affects people on an emotional level then you will continue to gain support."
On being from Toronto, Canada
"Cold winters keep me indoors haha, isn't that what all the Swedish producers say?. Honestly, I don't think it has any affect as of yet, I am still very aware of European culture (being from Portuguese descent) so I am affected by that equally. It sure helps living in Toronto. Toronto has always had one of the richest dance music cultures in the world, I am so lucky to be from this wonderful city and be creating music that people in the city grew up with. If I can, my favourite Canadian electronic musicians are A-Trak, Tiga, Richie Hawtin and Deadmau5. I am 15 and although I am lucky to know a lot about the history of electronic music, deadmau5 is still a big name for my generation, he is a boundary pusher and that inspires me."
On having his podcast as listed one of the "New and Noteworthy" on iTunes
"It feels great, I just released episode three and I am already gaining massive support worldwide. People enjoy that I always feature new, unreleased music of my own every episode, [it] gives them a chance to hear what's up and coming. The 'New and Noteworthy' feature tells me I am doing something right, all my support is organic, so even though I don't have thousands of Facebook fans, the ones I do have support every single piece of content I put out, that matters most to me."
Tracklist:
1. Henrix - Rock This Dream
2. Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike & GTA Feat. Wolfpack - Turn it Up
3. Ivan Gough vs Steve Bleas & Steve Mink, Gregor Salto, Eric Prydz - Everyday Boom (Live Edit)
4. Dirty South vs Ummet Ozcan - Phazing Here & Now (Offenberg Edit)
5. Nom De Strip - Techno Saturday
6. Hard Rock Sofa - Rasputin (Maxum Mashups)
7. Chris Lake - Oh Shhhh
8. Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding - I Need your Love (Nicky Romero Remix)
9. Icona Pop - I Love It (Maxum Remix)
10. Manufactured Superstars - Zombies In Love
11. Krewella - Alive (Maxum Edit)
12. One Republic - If I lose Myself (Alesso Remix)
13. Maxum vs Zedd - ID w/ Clarity Acapella
