Clubbing Magazine


Max Graham is one of the rising stars on the club scene, since 2001 he has released one great track after the other; “Airtight”, “Tell You”, “Barnone”, “Shoreline” and remixes such as Bullit “Cried to Dream” and Conjure One "Redemption" have placed him in the top league of producers. Some of Max's tracks were also chosen to be included on the mix CDs of the best in the business, including Tiesto and Paul Oakenfold. As a DJ Max Graham is highly respected and has played around the world. In 2003 he created his own night - Shine - which consists of 8 and 10 hour sets in Toronto and Montréal respectively. In 2004 he released his first CD in a new mix compilation series called Shine, and has released his first single "Coastline" on his new label Shinemusic. He has also just done remixes of Jase From Outta Space “Do what you Want” (Shinemusic) and Madoka “Afterburner” (Private Reality) and is soon to release “Does She Know Yet” on Sander Kleinenberg’s label Little Mountain Recordings and is working on a remix for Tilt´s new album out on Lost Language. We got hold of a very busy Max Graham to get the latest.
Your new release "Coastline" has a more hard hitting sound than your previous releases - how have you developed your sound over the years? - I think it’s pretty solid...I have some distinctions to my sound...which when trying to market yourself as a remixer is very important...I’m always trying to learn and improve.
You have a very distinct sound - very rolling sound - where does it come from? - Lots of delays on the beakbeat loops and hi hats...gives everything that roll.
In 2002 it was planned that you should release your "Shine" compilation on Hope Recordings what happened? - My management deal was up with them and I chose not to renew it, I was overly optimistic in hoping the other avenue's of our relationship would not be affected.
Are you still in contact with Hope or did this also prompt you to make your own label - or were there another reason for setting up the Shinemusic label? - Shine was always something I wanted to do, but alas as my contact with my friends from Hope became less and less I opted to do the label on my own.
You have entered a working relationship with Proton Radio - what does it mean to you and what are your feelings about the Internet? - I love the net...it’s has opened up so much in the music world both good and bad.. but change is great...Proton is wonderful, I was so impressed with the quality when I first heard it a year ago I asked for a show right away.
You have been very open in putting releases and promo mixes on your website - what are your feelings about piracy and the possibly of making money on downloads? - Piracy sucks - making money legitimately through downloads is great.. simple as that.
	Are we ever going to see the Hope "Shine" compilation as a download on your website? - It’s been on the net...you can find it I’m sure.
	Shine has a special meaning for you - I understand that is what you called your mix tapes in the early days and now it's a Max Graham brand! - My mixtapes had many names but the most talked about was Shine...summer of 99 it came out and people still look for copies.
	How do you see the compilation marked - you did the very successful "Transport 4" and now your own "Shine"? - It’s changed drastically in the last few years, I want to develop a monthly 60 minute download that people can purchase for a small fee and each track/label would get a cut.
	I also understand that you did a track called "Crank" that was to be released on Yoshitoshi - what happened to that release? - Crank was a housier thing I did to compliment trancier release I had coming out on Hope, since the Hope deal went sour it didn't suit me to release just a house track.
	You have set up residency in Toronto playing 8-10 h sets - how do you see the club scene around the world compared to Canada? - Canada is the best...Montreal takes the cake for international clubbing, it’s by far the best overall city in the world, healthy clubs and afterhours and some massive parties (ten thousand at Bel en Blanc anyone?) different cities are developing in different ways, there are still plenty of amazing spots around the planet.

My favorite remixs by you is the rare Bullit "Cried To Dream" and Conjure One "Redemption" - tell me a little about these tracks and what are your own favourite remixes and how do you decide what to remix? - I like both of those...I can’t really say I did anything in a certain way; it’s just how they turned out at the time.
"Bar None" is one of my favourite Max Graham tracks - tell me about this and what are your own favourite tracks? - I wanted a painoey summer thing, took me an afternoon to do it, now when I listen back I wish I had spent three days on it.
Is it hard for you to find records - and is there a specific style or labels that you go for? - I’m very picky, I only play what I love, like just doesn't make it into my box. I’m pretty hooked up with Release Records, Massive Records and the guys I work with sending me stuff...I really can't complain.
What does the future holds for you and Shinemusic - release etc.? - Some amazing releases including the much sought after Jase From Outta Space “Do what you Want”...massive vocal we've signed and remixed...also a CD of just shine material is coming soon.
What about a Max Graham artist album? - Soon...but I can tell you it won't be dance music
Text by: Christian Almind