Max Maurer and Paysen Cole are the latest duo of Herron High School seniors to enter the sound cave in the morning and emerge having put some finishing touches on a piece of work. With their stealth-like skills, they have managed to elude me sitting down to interview them at the same time so consider this the first part of a two-part interview starting with Max.
Me: You're both sound interns. What are you working on? What was the inspiration?
Max: Lately I've been more enamored with the grittiness and richness that a lo-fi sound comes with so I'm starting to explore that a little more than I have in the past. A little bit ago, Paysen made me a mixtape with a lot of low-tempo, sad lo-fi songs on it; that (the tape) has motivated me to go back into the discographies of some bands I hadn't listened to in a while: Walter TV, Pill Wonder, (perhaps even a little) Dinosaur Jr. Operating within this sound-realm, we've been playing around with some more pop-sensible ideas & trying to find more creative ways to tie in the city. It's been really fun!
Me: Are you collaborating or working independently?
Max: Everything we've done has been collaborative!
Me: How has having an internship at the HCA impacted you?
Max: Being a senior in high school, it's very hard for me to find extended or reliable sections of time--between regular school work, college application work, and my job--to work on music like I had been during summers or in previous years. The internship period this year has given me a secure time slot and space to collaborate and be creative that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. (I also made really great friend in Paysen because of the internship!)
Me: Tell me 2 things that make you laugh (like spit milk out of your nose laugh) ?
Max: I am a proud member of the Netflix generation so, naturally, two things (two shows) that make me laugh are 'Broad City' and 'Arrested Development'. :)
Keep your eyes peeled for part deux.