Perfecting the Art of Multi-Tasking: Interview with Kevin Max

By Shara for ccmbuzz.com.

It's been a while since we've heard anything from Kevin Max, the enigmatic poet who began his professional music career with a "stint" as one-third of dc Talk before heading out on his own as a solo artist.

So when we were given the chance to chat with Kevin a bit about what he's been up to lately, we jumped at the opportunity. We think you'll be excited to hear all the things Kmax has going on . . . so keep reading!

ccmbuzz: Hey Kevin, thanks for chatting today, I know you've been pretty busy lately. What exactly have you been doing? I heard you were recently in London?

Kmax: Yes, I was in London meeting with writers and meeting with labels about the new project.

ccmbuzz: How did that go?

Kmax: Wonderful! I went to a couple of writing scenarios that John Kalodner of Sanctuary records had set up for me.

ccmbuzz: So you are working on new music. Anything stylistically different this time around?

Kmax: With this new music, the style is a bit more centered. It's not all over the map like Stereotype B was.

ccmbuzz: Okay, how about theme-wise?

Kmax: Theme-wise . . . Well, it varies. Some songs are about personal situations, others are about my beliefs, my arguments and philosophies on life as we know it.

ccmbuzz: Sounds intriguing . . . have you signed with a label yet for it?

Kmax: Why does that matter so much today? (laughs) Yes, I am in the process of signing with a label, even though I believe a real artist doesn't need a typical label situation. I am very wary of labels in general. They treat the artists like foster children and never let them have creative opinions or control. I have been looking for a home like that and may have found it. There are very few labels out there that I would want to sign to. It seems like the whole industry is looking for something to hold onto right now. It serves them right for being all about the money and not about the art!

ccmbuzz: It is a pretty big decision, isn't it?

Kmax: Yes, it is. It's like a marriage: you have to have someone that understands you on all levels.

ccmbuzz: You're going to be releasing another book of poetry this summer.

Kmax: Yes, maybe sooner. If is a book about the female -- from my point of view, which is a bit skewed, I'm sure . . .

ccmbuzz: (Laughs) That should be interesting! You've mentioned that there might be a music project to accompany it as well.

Kmax: Yes, I want to create a synergy of poetry and music that is co-existent. I really believe in the power of poetry. I believe it opens people up.

ccmbuzz: So will it be like a spoken-word thing with musical accompaniment?

Kmax: I don't know yet . . . maybe something more revolutionary. I would love to do something with the Internet.

ccmbuzz: That would be interesting.

Kmax: Make the poetry interactive, something that everyone can download and respond to in an individual way . . . something more than "I start a line and you finish it."

ccmbuzz: Because really, that's what poetry is all about -- how it impacts the reader personally.

Kmax: Exactly, it is.

ccmbuzz: I've read somewhere that you were trying to get a project going based on C.S. Lewis'Screwtape Letters -- anything happening with that?

Kmax: That is sensitive material! (laughs) Yes, I am in the process of making that happen among other things. I have a list.

ccmbuzz: Sounds like you're pretty busy these days.

Kmax: Yes, I am . . . constantly! I am an energetic little hobbit.

ccmbuzz: (Laughs) Thanks for that mental image there.

Kmax: I am more like a mixture of elf and hobbit, to be exact. (laughs) Anyway, I've been in contact with Douglas Grisham, Lewis' step-son.

ccmbuzz: Has he been pretty receptive to it?

Kmax: Yes, but we need to talk more about it, to realize what direction to take and the business aspects.

ccmbuzz: Tell me a bit about your move to Los Angeles. Why did you leave Nashville?

Kmax: I needed to grow as an artist and I felt that Nashville was sucking at the very marrow of my bones. It has been quite a change of pace. I am not under the constant microscope and butcher's knife. L.A. has provided a way for me to start over in some respects. I have built a whole new live audience, as well as a band, and have been able to meet people in the industry who do not know as much about the whole CCM world and its applications.

ccmbuzz: How have you been accepted within the L.A. music scene?

Kmax: I feel that I've been accepted to a degree. [My booking agency] CAA has been wonderful about putting me in great venues. It seems like the audience in L.A. understands what I am doing more than that of Nashville. It's more like a European audience out here and it's not as competitive. It seems like Nashville implodes musically all the time. You have a great live band that plays all around town, develops a buzz and then disappears because they don't have loyal listeners. Everyone is so judgmental and so competitive because everyone there is a frustrated musician or writer. In L.A. it's the same situation for screenwriters.

ccmbuzz: What was it that motivated you to branch out and become a solo artist?

Kmax: I wanted to be a solo artist because I needed to express myself as a lyricist and songwriter. dc Talk was amazing, and I am sure still is, but the magic was not there anymore for me. It had worn off, but I hope that we can regain that again sometime in the future.

ccmbuzz: What was the transition like for you from being in a "super group" to starting off on your own?

Kmax: I had done several things even during my time with dc Talk on a different stage, so I was quite ready for the change. It was a bit frustrating when I was performing solo on a dc Talk stage. Performing that dc Talk Solo tour was tough for me. Everyone wanted dc Talk songs and couldn't really stomach us separately. When I went solo on a solo stage, it was what I'd expected and I loved it. The intimacy and the honesty of the gig were so much stronger than before.

ccmbuzz: Do you think that you have experienced a personal change since you started your solo career?

Kmax: Absolutely. I have grown both as an artist and as a person. Some would think the change is for the worse, I think it's been for the better. I'm sure it was the same thing for the Beatles. When they broke up, people hated them as solo artists and so they needed to grow the audience. I know that I'm growing and I hope the same for Toby and Tait.

ccmbuzz: Okay, so I know you're asked this question about a million times, but it's sort of obligatory at this point: what are your future plans as far as dc Talk is concerned?

Kmax: I'm not sure. There are no plans as of yet.

ccmbuzz: We interviewed Michael a few weeks ago and asked him the same question. His answer was that "dc Talk will evolve until it dissolves." Do you agree with that statement?

Kmax: Well, if that is the case then dc Talk is like an aspirin tablet in a big bowl of water right now.

ccmbuzz: (Laughs) Nice analogy.

Kmax: It seems like neither Toby nor Tait are interested in dc Talk at this point. I haven't heard from either of them in a long time. I hope the best for them both.

ccmbuzz: It sounds like you're all busy doing your own things.

Kmax: True, true. I have my plate full until late summer. Life is wonderful, dramatic and cinematic for me.

ccmbuzz: So how do you deal with the critics who say you "sold out" when you left the CCM bubble?

Kmax: I didn't know they were saying that! (laughs)

ccmbuzz: Oops, sorry for breaking it to you . . .

Kmax: Well, to sell out I think you need to make big money and I haven't yet. (laughs)

ccmbuzz: Good point!

Kmax: I live more like a poet these days than a rock star and I love it. God speaks in a quiet voice. I don't feel like I sold out. I feel like I am one of the few people in the industry who truly has any drive to be different and try something completely new, to take risks. No one seems to take risks in the Christian music world. I'm not bitter when I say this, just stating an observation.

ccmbuzz: Do you think that the world even needs this segregated Christian music industry then?

Kmax: No, and that's an opinion I've had for a long time. "Christian music" just confuses people. Music is music and God created all of it. I'm waiting for someone within the CCM industry to wake up and say, "I can do something different and cause people to reflect and go deeper." It's better for someone to be a voice in the desert than to be a voice at the swimming pool.

I do believe in someone making music about their beliefs. I just don't think we have to bottle it up and put a title and a roof on it.

ccmbuzz: Absolutely, your sentiments completely echo my own. Okay, I just have a few more questions that readers submitted for you. One of them says: You have a very unique style; have you ever considered opening your own line of clothing?

Kmax: Yeah, I have and I will when I have the resources. I love fashion. Fashion makes people think creatively about themselves.

ccmbuzz: Is there a song someone has written that you really wish you had?

Kmax: I wish I had written Unchained Melody and Nature Boy. They're both examples of perfect melodies. Oh, and also In My Life by the Beatles. Maybe With or Without You as well . . . also How Soon Is Now by The Smiths. Okay, I'll stop! (laughs)

ccmbuzz: What is your required reading and listening?

Kmax: I am reading a lot right now. I'm currently reading a study on Da Vinci, reading poems by Bauldelaire and Blake and reading a book called Nevermore by Neil Gaiman.

I'm listening to Muse, Roxy Music, The Smiths, Jet, Van Dyke Parks, The Beatles, the Young Dubliners and more.

ccmbuzz: Well, that's about it. Thanks for taking the time to chat, I appreciate it as always.

Kmax: Thanks for listening to me rant!

ccmbuzz: Oh, I heard no ranting . . . (laughs)

Kmax: Godspeed and blessings!

For more information about Kevin Max, be sure to check out his website at KevinMax.com.

Interview conducted by Shara for ccmbuzz.com.