“The perspective that you need to hold to realize that we’re gonna be okay as people is one that we don't get if we're stuck inside of ourselves, inside of our routines, inside of our algorithmically generated realities, I think that sometimes we need to step into a space that was created by our neighbors and not by any kind of any corporation to really see that” says Milwaukee musician, Maximiano.
The term “DIY” is tossed around quite a bit in music scenes, so much so that its true meaning can be lost in the guise of an aesthetic descriptor. Maximiano sat down with me for a DJ Takeover not only to talk about their new music, but to share their experience as a reminder of why DIY music is more than ‘cool’, it's vital.
The indie folk Americana artist Maximiano stopped by the station to celebrate the release of their sophomore album, Rokeby. A perfect record for a midwestern thaw of winter to spring, it captures grief, change, and the growth that blooms after such experiences. The second half of Rokeby is largely inspired by the Mountain Goats’ album, “All Hail West Texas”. After listening to track 14 together, “Absolute Lithops Effect”, Maximiano explained that the frontman of Mountain Goats, John Darnielle, allows the negative space of a stripped-down acoustic recording to highlight the emotional intimacy between the singer and their song.
In Rokeby, the folk multi-instrumentalist appreciates the value of a finger slip or a difference in inflection, as it documents their changing relationship with the notes and words before them. This album balances beautiful simplicity with a healthy dose of Maximiano’s sophisticated layered production.
Inspired by Perfume Genius’s song “It’s a Mirror”, Maximiano shaped their lead single, “I Will Not Abandon the River”, with field recordings, satisfying tension, drums, and crashing cymbals. Listening to the track is as if you yourself are immersed in a natural landscape, where all sounds, the wind, the water, the trees, and the birds are realized through traditional instruments. The words wash over you as if nature’s inner monologue spoke our language.
Maximiano’s approach to music-making goes beyond technical excellence. They take pride in the DIY nature of the Milwaukee music scene. Branches of these scenes reach throughout the nation; they explain, “We are one really good documentary away from seeing how much good DIY scenes are doing all across this country”.
Maximiano explains that DIY venues serve as community gathering spaces and as activist spaces: “It doesn't even matter what genre, there are people everywhere that are trying to make life better and trying to make music more accessible and in the process creating this family.” Maximiano feels that there’s a sincerity in the Milwaukee artist mentality, “people are making things for the sake of making them”. As for creating that family in Milwaukee, it's simple: “You’re only a few conversations away from a friendship,” the artist says.
Rokeby’s release show happens Saturday, April 4th at Cactus Club with Maximiano’s friends, Field Report and Ava Brennen.
Maximiano DJ Takeover Playlist 4.1.26
I Will Not Abandon the River - Maximiano
Sadness as a Gift - Adrienne Lenker
It’s a Mirror - Perfume Genius
Absolute Lithops Effect - The Mountain Goats (All Hail West Texas)
Fluorescent Light - Haley Heynderickx and Max Garcia Conover
Outsiders - Anna Tivel
Blindsided - Bon Iver
Home (with you) - Ava Brennan
Fergus Falls - Field Report
