MAX McNOWN – AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH THE RISING STAR
By Ralph Beauchamp
Rising star, Max McNown is a singer/songwriter whose music cannot be put in a box. The Nashville based artist can easily be labeled as country but there are so many other facets to McNown‘s songs that easily destroy that barrier. Max McNown‘s compositions blend that country juice with dashes of Americana, folk and roots music in order to create something totally unique and original. Think Noah Kahan meets Jason Isbell
His songs also carry weight. McNown uses his lyrics as cathartic grenades. He empties his soul into his music. Max McNown‘s tracks often delve into heartache and life changing occurrences. On the other side of the coin, McNown infuses hope and compassion. That’s why his growing fanbase can relate. He’s just like us. Living life through trials and tribulations
Max McNown‘s first album was Wandering in 2024. which produced his breakout single, “A Lot More Free”. The single just recently received RIAA Platinum status which is quite amazing for such a young artist. In 2024, he also dropped an EP entitled Willfully Blind. Max McNown let loose his sophomore album Night Driving in early 2025 which received critical acclaim from both critics and loyal fans.
Later in 2025, McNown offered an expanded edition of the record. Night Driving (The Cost of Growing Up) features 11 never heard of tracks built on McNown‘s profound songwriting talent. Every new song on the extended LP features a singular sound that is intimate and elemental. McNown’s music is beautifully intrinsic. In addition, Max McNown dropped a reimagined single of his folk ballad “Turned Into Missing You,” with a special feature by singer Avery Anna. McNown will be a superstar sooner than later.
Max McNown was kind enough to sit with AMP for this in-depth interview.
AMP: What first got you into music?
MAX: My Dad was my first musical influence, from the youngest age I can recall, he was singing and playing guitar for myself and my siblings.
AMP: Your music covers several musical genres. How would you categorize your sound?
MAX: I always categorize my sound as follows: Each song lies on a spectrum, nothing is black and white, but that spectrum sits between Folk-Pop and Country Music.
AMP: What kind of themes do you tend to embed in your songs?
MAX: I naturally lean toward getting introspective when I’m writing songs. If by the end of the session, I feel like I know a little more about myself, then I consider it a successful write.
AMP: I just recently became aware of the artistry of Cameron Whitcomb. You did a collab with him and also mentioned him in one of your quotes. Do you feel like the two of you are kindred spirits?
MAX: I think we’re similar people but separate fonts. What I mean by that is I think he has a wonderful heart, and we both lean toward honesty and authenticity as chief virtues in our musical journeys. He’s a dear friend, and he’d agree we are also opposites in many ways.
AMP: What is your creative process like?
MAX: Nearly every song I’ve released begins as poetry or a concept written in my notes page on my phone. Some with melodies attached in a voice memo, some without. I compile a very long list that extends further and further whenever inspiration strikes, then choose whichever idea feels best when it’s time to write.
AMP: How did busking in Southern California hone your musical perspective?
MAX: I owe so much to my experience busking in San Clemente. Some of the songs in Night Diving(The Cost of Growing Up) were written before I had ever played an official show in my life, so I had to depend on what I knew from street performing as I entered that stage of my career. When you street perform, you don’t have a band to rely on, and all you can do is your best.
When I wrap a show, I don’t think about how loud the crowd sang, or whether or not they sang at all. The only thing I can control is the passion I left on the stage, the effort I put forth for the people who needed to hear my music. I owe that mentality to street performing.
AMP: What is your favorite song to perform live and why?
MAX: My favorite song to perform changes often, but as of now, it’s ‘Won’t Let Me Go’. When playing it live, we’ve given it its own moment. During the instrumental section on the studio recording, it is already a beautiful escape into a land of droning, verby licks, but when we play it live, we add an outro. The River-like flow quickly gains energy, and we finish off the song rocking out on stage together as a band, and I so much love that.
AMP: In the same vein, you’ve shared the stage with a bevy of top tier talent. Does any particular gig or tour stand out?
MAX: My band and I look back fondly at our experience opening for country legend Billy Currington in St. Augustine, Florida. It was our second show we ever played as a full band, in front of 3,500, and it was truly a ‘sink-or-swim’ situation. All of the pressure was on, I was incredibly nervous, and also decided to play harmonica during ‘a lot more free’ on stage for the first time ever.
We SWAM, and we will never forget it. Not to mention Billy was so kind and hospitable. He invited us to hang with him after his set and we played ping-pong and shared stories for over an hour. It was my first glimpse into the camaraderie of the music industry.
AMP: Outside of music, what is your favorite activity to unwind with?
MAX: I love to journal, writing out my experiences helps me process things I don’t know that I need to. I also really love spending time in nature, hiking, camping, connecting with that granola Northwestern mindset that raised me (although sadly I don’t get much time nowadays to do so).
AMP: Do you feel blessed having this much success at such a young age?
MAX: Absolutely, I say this all the time, and it’s met with kind disagreement, but I don’t deserve this. Very few people in the artist industry DESERVE ‘fame’. I’m a mediocre guitar player who writes songs, and I perform them for people who lift me up. I am nothing without every single person who relates to, and listens to my music.
I had the privilege of meeting Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell recently, and spending time with a human of his caliber really puts life into perspective. There are people far worthier of praise than I am, so I will do my very best to steward this influence I’ve been given to make a difference for people like Marcus, people who deserve it. I am so incredibly grateful that I get to do this for a living, and for all of the love and support from the people who enjoy my songs.
AMP: What’s next for Max McNown?
MAX: One day, one show, and one song at a time, I don’t plan on stopping. I have no idea how far I’ll go but I refuse to quit.
Views: 4341
1 thought on “MAX McNOWN – AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH THE RISING STAR”
Comments are closed.
You sound more rock than country and I like that, keep it up. I am not a total country music fan but I enjoy your music very much.