Start Listening To: Maxwell Varey
With a sound that fuses the indie ethos with the exuberance of pop, Maxwell Varey offers a fresh perspective on music that is both familiar and adventurous.
In our exclusive Q&A session with Maxwell Varey, we delve into his latest single 'Ain't It Funny' and the inspiration behind it. This song, as he reveals, serves as a reflection on the ironic twists and turns of working-class life, and it resonates deeply with those who have witnessed the struggle and misfortune that can often permeate such surroundings.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
I’m Maxwell, I’m a lad from a small town called Wigan in the northwest of England and I make what I make what I’d call indie or guitar music in the form of pop. I say that because I love when pop songwriting and ambitious production can be presented in an alternative, live and energetic way. When I write and produce, that’s the sound in my head that I’m trying to achieve.
Maxwell, your most recent single 'Ain't It Funny' is out now. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song and what it means to you?
I wrote aint it funny to talk directly about the irony of typical working class life in general around me in terms of the struggle and misfortune so that was my inspiration. But I wrote it with an optimistic outlook because It’s about embracing the comedic aspect of the irony and not to take it all so seriously. The song means so much to me as it depicts a certain image that feels like home and feels like my surroundings in Wigan and as if I’m talking to the people around me that need some kind of reassurance.
You mentioned that the song is about embracing the comedic aspect of the irony in working-class life. Can you elaborate on this and share some personal experiences that influenced the song's lyrics?
I feel like when growing up like I did in small working class towns like Wigan, there’s always a massive sense of negativity and misfortune in the air. It always feels as if no one feels any hope for the town and that it’s a failure to even live there. It sounds very bleak but it’s the harsh reality because for a lot of people it’s like their life has just been set out for them. You work in a job that you hate all week and then you drown your sorrows in the pub every weekend. But then on top of that there’s massively unlucky situations that also pile on top. I wanted to highlight this and talk about how sometimes it feels like everything is against you and almost in reverse and that’s a very ironic thing a lot of the time. But, whilst also giving some reassurance to people who let this really get them down. The pre chorus lyrics “don’t focus on the things you can’t change” basically summarises this.
Your upcoming debut EP Ivory is set to be released on November 1st. What can listeners expect from the EP?
I think listeners can expect a highly energetic but pensive body of music that has the familiarity of indie rock but in the bold and ambitious sonic context of pop. I like to produce music that feels like an abstract painting rather than a watercolour one, it’s created to be as satisfying and emotional as possible. I try to really squeeze everything out of a song to really express what I’m talking about lyrically through its production and overall sound.
The live session of 'Ain't It Funny' was filmed at The Courtyard Theatre. What was the experience like performing the song in a live setting, and how does it compare to the studio version?
It was such an amazing experience, performing live is all I’ve ever known from being about 7 years old and it’s by far my favourite part of being an artist. It’s the most natural and instinctual aspect for me. Im so proud of the video and it’s every credit to all the team involved in the film, they’re all absolute artisans. I think compared to the studio version, it’s a lot more rocky, raw and passionate for sure and I think that’s exactly what I’m always trying to do playing live music. It should be a completely unique experience.
'Ain't It Funny' was recorded at your own studio in Wigan and at Damon Albarn's studio in London. Could you share the significance of these recording locations and working with engineer John Foyle?
Getting my own studio in Wigan is probably the best decision I’ve made musically since picking up a guitar. It’s allowed me to fully immerse myself in my music career and commit to writing and producing the best music I can every day. I feel so proud to think that the music I’m putting out was mainly recorded and created in my little studio. John is a super super talented musician and friend to me, having him on board has not only massively improved my music but also improved me as an artist. I feel like working with him at Studio 13 has took my musical standards from 0 to 100 and provided me with so much inspiration and drive.
Can you tell us about your creative process when writing and producing music?
Almost all the time I start in my studio on logic by making an instrumental idea. That can be just an intro and main riffy part of a full instrumental structured to be a song. I then hum melodic ideas into my voice notes app until I start to come up with some lyrics. It usually takes one line to come out from within me and that dictates what the song is gonna be about and then it becomes a very cathartic process.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
I’m still listening a lot to the debut strokes album. It’s one of my favourite albums of all times, it’s a complete masterpiece from start to finish. It’s so important because even before I knew it I was listening to that album, whether it’s from my mum listening to it in the car or subconsciously hearing it on XFM I can always remember absolutely loving it from a very young age.
What do you love right now?
I love Jeff Buckley, anything with Christian Bale in and Guinness.
What do you hate right now?
Nepo babies and posh kids who pretend they’re not haha.
Looking into the future, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and what can fans expect from Maxwell Varey in the coming years?
In the future, I don’t really see any ceiling. I wanna headline Glastonbury as many times as I can, make massive hits and work with all my favourite artists. I wanna have fun with it too! Fans can expect hopefully better music and a better live sound every year, I’m always trying to improve and create exactly what I’m wanting to hear in my head.
