Max Chapman is an influential tech house artist from the UK, and his new release, Right About Now, is a two-track EP on Hush Music.
Hush Music is a brand new record label, and Max Chapman adds the imprint to an already impressive catalog that includes the likes of Sola, Kaluki Musik, Saved Records, Toolroom, Snatch!, Relief, Hot Creations, and elrow Music.
From BPM Festival (Costa Rica) to Mysteryland (Holland), Chapman has played headline slots across the globe. His productions channel his ability to captivate a dancefloor, and his new release is no exception.
We caught up with Max Chapman to discuss his new release on Hush Music, his creative process, and what’s coming next.
Q: Your latest release on Hush Music is making waves – what can you tell us about the inspiration behind the track?
A: Thanks! I’ll be completely honest, I don’t really take inspiration from other tracks. I just sit down, write music, and see what happens!
Q: Did you experiment with anything new in this track, whether in production techniques, sound design, or workflow?
A: Honestly, no, but now I feel like I should have!
Q: How do you see this track fitting into your wider catalog? Does it represent an evolution in your sound?
A: Yes, it’s a true reflection of both styles of music I prefer to play depending on what part of the world I am in.
Q: What’s the story behind the name of the track?
A: Usually, the tracks are named based on the vocal I have used. If it’s not done that way, it’s whatever pops into my head. Of course, my track “Bethany” is named after my fiancée!
Q: Your productions always have a signature groove, what’s your approach to crafting that energy in a track?
A: Honestly, I have no idea! It’s just what happens when I write music. I’m heavily garage-inspired, and that’s where a lot of the arrangements and groove come from.
Q: What’s your go-to gear or software in the studio these days? Any must-have plug-ins or synths?
A: My must-have plugin is probably Vacuum Pro, purely for the ‘Analog Bass’ preset.
Q: Do you have a particular routine when you’re in the studio, or is each session different?
A: Every session starts the same, I find a sample, find the key to that sample, and work from there. Drums first, then chords, then a bassline.
Q: How do you know when a track is done and ready to send out to labels?
A: When you know, you know. Usually, I’m premature and end up deleting the link and resending it five times. Lol.
Q: You’ve released on Hot Creations, PIV, and Toolroom. How has working with these labels shaped your career?
A: Hot Creations was huge for me. It gave me what I needed to go full-time and visit every corner of the globe.
Q: How does the A&R process differ between the labels you’ve worked with?
A: To be honest, I tend to send tracks directly to label owners, so I don’t deal with A&Rs too often. But I recently went through a very professional A&R process with PIV, and I’ve noticed that process is becoming more common these days.
Q: Tech house is constantly evolving, where do you see the genre heading in the next few years?
A: Hopefully, it’s going to make a massive comeback. The best days of my life were dancing to proper tech house in Ibiza from 2008-2011. I miss that era, and I’m dying for it to return!
Q: How do you approach your DJ sets, do you plan them out, or do you prefer to feel out the crowd?
A: I always feel the crowd and have my entire library locked and loaded!
Q: What’s been your most memorable gig recently, and why?
A: Every gig in South America. Always.
Q: Any dream venue or festival you haven’t played yet but would love to?
A: Space Miami. I was supposed to play for Paradise there in March 2020, but we went into lockdown, and I didn’t get the chance to play.
Q: Finally, what’s next for Max Chapman? Any upcoming releases, projects, or big gigs we should know about?
A: I have music coming on Hush Music, Moxy very soon, Resonance Records after that, and I have the biggest release of my career coming this summer that I can’t wait to announce!
Mia Brooks dives deep into the beats and rhythms of the music industry, covering everything from chart-topping albums to underground artists. With a passion for discovering new talent and exploring the stories behind the songs, Mia keeps readers updated on all things music.
