Reviewed on Feb 13, 2009
Meet Max Morgan, a 22-year-old British rocker, hailing from Liverpool, England and currently residing in southern California. Max just finished up a cross country US tour.
Heavist: Max Morgan, who are you?
Max: I am your new English male solo pop rock/ rock pop / rock / pop artist fix. Say that fast.
Heaviest: What’s that? You are English? How did you end up over the Atlantic?
Max: I am indeed. Born and raised. It’s a lot colder on the other side of the Atlantic so I figured I might as well sing my songs in slightly warmer climates to begin with. California is so bloody enticing, isn’t it?
Heaviest: We can’t help but notice your somewhat bouffant hair style. Combine this fact with the English’ness, Do you get any Russel Brand remarks!?
Max: I get them uncomfortably regularly. I don’t even see it. I moved to the U.S 6 years ago and he wasn’t around then. It started the 1st year I went back to visit. Some drunken, beautiful lady came up to me in a club outside of London asking me for my autograph. I thought it was a dodgy first line, turns out she thought I was him. Those experiences crossed the Atlantic when he did, to start doing Hollywood movies.
Heaviest: What kind of music do you play?
Max: The records out on March 31st, decide for yourself. Did I parlay that question into a shameful plug well, or what?! My favorite bands are U2 and Oasis. Their fans may have something to say about me comparing my tunes to those bands though.
Heaviest: How do you feel being based in the US has affected your musical style?
Max: It has made it incredibly English-influenced believe it or not. In England, me and my mates were all about the American music – Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’ Roses, Tom Petty. When I came to America, that was when I really discovered U2, Oasis, Rod Stewart, Elton John, even the bloody Beatles. All the English stuff. I am an invert. A bit strange.
Heaviest: You’ve just completed a cross country US tour: Do you have any crazy stories from the road? Favorite venue or tour stop?
Max: I shall pass on the crazy stories question for right now mate, my family and/or label might have something to say about my antics, should they hear about them from the internet! Haha, definitely looking forward to spending some more time in Houston and Atlanta. Something about Texas that is so very American that intrigues me. As for Georgia, have to take in a little more of the good ol’ south right? Nothing wrong with the small towns, but I’ve had my fair share of small town living. I like big cities. Let’s face it, there’s nothing like a big American city.
Heaviest: Are there any particular acts/artists whose music particularly inspires you to make the music you do?
Max: U2 is a huge inspiration. When the artist is as significant to the whole package of music, as the song itself is, it’s a brilliant thing. That marriage between the artist and song is so rare, where if separated, neither would be quite as powerful. I think of U2 like that. Quality. I aspire to have that relationship with the songs I pull out. Oasis are another quality band. Similar situation as far as the rare marriage between artist and song. They need each other to be great. If that doesn’t make sense, tough! It does over here.
Heaviest: If we could (should) only listen to one song which you have penned, one song which generally sums you up as both an individual and an artist, which song would (should) that be?
Max: Rough question! Only because it demands proper thought. Wow, probably ‘Hey Jude’. Or maybe ‘Imagine’. I think they are some of my stronger tracks. KIDDING. ‘Easy Tiger’. Check out the record. The album definitely does that. Sums me up. What I’ve been through, what I want to go through. Each song is a piece of the puzzle. I’m not sure one song can claim to sum it all up. When I write it, I’ll let you know.
Heaviest: If there was one particular message which you would like to convey through your music as a whole, what would you like that message to be?
Max: You are not alone. It is never over. In fact, it begins now. I mean it.
Heaviest: As a young artist, your aspirations must be high – what’s top of that list right now?
Max: Tour the world. Sell a few truckloads of records. Record another 7 albums, repeating the cycle of touring the world. A duet with Bono. Grammys. Genuinely top of the list is to write songs that become part of people’s lives and stories, the way the artists’ songs that I admire became a part of mine. Not too much to ask right?
Heaviest: What advice can you offer to the talented young singer songwriters?
Max: Write as much as you can. Don’t ever stop. Always keep the songs real. There is no roof lads and lasses. No ceiling. Keep climbing.