Today we’d like to introduce you to Maxwell Cary.
Maxwell, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
To put it briefly: I’m a Maryland boy with a passion for making noise
To put it a little less briefly: My mother got me interested in music from a very early age by signing me up to sing in chorus and choir classes, but my love for music really blossomed in middle school when I joined my first rock band as a bassist and singer. I played in a few bands throughout high school and got my first part-time job running sound for a local arts venue, but when college came along, I gave into self-doubt and the general societal pressure to “find a real job”.
Because I viewed a career in music as a risk and a traditional college degree as a “sure thing”, I left music behind for about five years while I studied Sociology at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland while working full time to pay off my student loans. I sold my instruments to pay for student housing and devoted all my time to studying, working, and trying to live the typical ‘college student life’. After all that work and sacrifice, however, I felt like I was left with nothing but a fancy piece of paper, a hefty chunk of debt, and avoid where my love for music used to be.
I figured that if I can be so let down by “the sure thing”, then I had no reason to waste any more of my time by not pursuing my dream, so in 2015, I went to a local music store to replace my instruments and try to pick up where I left off, and in doing so, I rediscovered what true passion felt like, and it gave me a new lease on life. I started writing new music as I was relearning the bass and guitar and teaching myself to record them onto my laptop and a basic recording rig. Hearing my own music gave me a sense of accomplishment that far outweighed a $40,000 college degree.
In 2017, I decided that I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice and that I would follow my passion wherever it lead me. I packed my life into duffel bags and suitcases, sold whatever I couldn’t fit into my Ford Focus, and moved to LA to play music in the entertainment capital of the world. I’ve been here for two years now, and I consider moving out west to be the best decision I’ve ever made.
The music scene here in Los Angeles is beautiful and vibrant, brimming with opportunities for those hungry enough to seek them out, and full of like-minded dreamers who share the same passion. I’ve found a support system of close friends and talented artists to collaborate, create, and perform with, I’ve met heroes and Rock Stars that I’ve idolized since I was a child, I’ve played on stages that I never dreamed I’d ever even see in person, and even if I never achieve the success in music that I seek, I can hold my head high and say confidently that I have no regrets and that I’m having the time of my life. I’ll take that over a college degree any day of the week.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m primarily a bassist, singer, and songwriter with a deep passion for rock music. Bands like Foo Fighters, Tool, Queens of the Stone Age, AC/DC, and Stone Temple Pilots are what have inspired me since I was little, and my biggest goal in music is to carry fourth that tradition and stick it in the face of anyone who’s ever uttered the cliche’: “rock and roll is dead”. The instinctual urge to thrash about and bang your head while a charismatic band of misfits fills the room with the piercing tones of passionate rebellion is not something that simply goes out of style. This is the idea behind my art.
I want to do it loud, fast, hard, and irreverent. I want no holds barred, I want people to stop caring about what people think and let passion take hold. I want to slam down thunderous bass tones that can rattle a building to its foundation, just like Justin Chancellor and Lemmy Kilmister. I want to sing and scream my every emotion into a microphone for thousands to hear me, just like Dave Grohl and Bon Scott. Most importantly, I want to inspire others to do the same with me while I’m here and after me when I’m gone.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
The music and art community, in general, is more saturated than ever with the advent of the internet, but Los Angeles epitomizes this by being physically saturated with hungry artists. This is a double-edged sword: more artists means a stronger scene and more robust community of artists at the top of their game, but it also makes it much more difficult to stand out among the crowd. LA compounds this reality on starving artists with a higher than average cost of living and a much greater scarcity of paid opportunities for many up-and-coming artists.
The easily discouraged may look at this as a deterrent, but I believe the persistent and motivated artist will see this as a crucible that must be endured in order to test their resolve to be an artist in the entertainment capital of the world. I think if you truly believe in what you’re doing, you will find opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else that will take your art to new heights. On the other hand, if you’re willing to give anything less than 100% for your art, you’ll quickly become invisible in a city that’s over-crowded with aspiration.
As far as what cities like ours can do to help artists thrive, the answer is simple: value artists. Compensate musicians and artists for their work, and stop with the “pay-for-play” schemes. “Exposure” doesn’t help pay the rent, and rent ain’t getting any cheaper.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Follow me on Instagram at @MaxCaryMusic to see what I’m up to and where I’ll be playing next!
My band is called The Montgomerys, we’re a hard rock power-trio and we have an EP and a Music Video debuting this Fall. follow @TheMontgomerysLA for updates.
I also play bass for an ambient rock group called Fox Violet. We’ve got singles available on all streaming platforms and will be performing at The Satelite and Hotel Cafe Main Stage in October. Details on all of our shows and upcoming releases can be found on instagram at @fox_violets.
I’m also available for freelance or session work and am more than happy to work with any group or artist with a story to tell and a sound that they’re passionate about.” in the same section.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14620 Dickens Street
Apt 12
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 - Phone: 240-429-8810
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @MaxCaryMusic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMontgomerysLA/
- Twitter: @maxcarymusic
Image Credit:
Cat Collins
Bo Roberts
Jes Fama
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