Every genre of music has its birthplace, a specific vibe intertwined with the culture and experiences that shape its evolution. For house music, it was Chicago; for techno, it was the burgeoning scene in Detroit. But when it comes to the art of DJing, one can trace its origins back to the mid-1980s New York City hip-hop scene. This era birthed legends like LL Cool J and Run-DMC, but alongside them emerged a lesser-known but immensely influential figure: Max Graham.
Graham’s journey began as a scratch DJ in the 1980s, where his inspiration came not from the microphone’s charisma but from the dexterity of the DJ behind the decks. Today, he is lauded as a pioneering force for diversity within trance music, showcasing a rich and expansive body of work that transcends simple classification.
“For me personally, I don’t purchase by genre. I’m kind of too diverse for my own good. If it’s good and it fits my set, I can play it.”
Graham’s artistic evolution is a testament to his diverse experiences. His formative years took him on a cultural journey, beginning in the U.K., passing through Spain, and finally immersing himself in the underground hip-hop scene of New York City. Now residing in Canada, he has absorbed global influences, making him an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed into any one genre.
“Traveling we get to ingest so many cultural differences around the world, meet different people, taste the food, and all that shapes what you take home as inspiration to the studio.”
This eclectic worldview informs his DJ sets, where he seamlessly moves between techno, deep house, and trance. Graham isn’t merely a performer; he’s a curator of experiences, deftly balancing crowd expectations with unexpected musical journeys. His philosophy is simple yet profound: “If you put it together right, you can take people on that journey.”
Beyond spinning records, Graham is also the driving force behind his label, Rebrand. Graham’s approach to label management contrasts sharply with the usual prestige-focused tactics of many label heads. For him, cohesion and a sense of fun are paramount. “It has to be fun,” he notes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and inspiration among artists. He believes that surrounding himself with genuinely good people fosters creativity and growth.
“I have to sign nice people.” – Max Graham
With his experience in the hip-hop scene, Graham prioritizes passion over popularity, shunning the glossy allure of mainstage fame. “Some people want to go where the money’s at; they want to be on the mainstage. That’s cool, that’s their prerogative and I’ll never hold it against them, but it’s not me,” he reflects. His focus is steadfastly on creating music that resonates with authenticity rather than chasing commercial success.
His mantra—“if it moves me, I’ll play it”—captures his free-spirited approach to DJing, allowing him to remain unfettered by genre constraints. Crowds can often sense when a DJ is simply going through the motions, but for Graham, that is never a concern. The openness of his experiences and the unpredictability of his selections make each set a fresh and exhilarating experience for the audience.
Tune in every week to Max Graham’s mix show, “Cycles Radio,” uploaded regularly to his Soundcloud linked out below.
Get to know Max Graham:
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