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Exclusive Interview: Max Frost On New Album “Gold Rush”, Opening For Twenty One Pilots, Dream Of A J. Cole Collaboration!

max frost interview

After two stupendous EPs (“Low High Low” in 2013 and “Intoxication” in 2015), singer, songwriter and producer Max Frost is ready to give us his much-anticipated full-length debut album. Titled “Gold Rush”, the project hits stores tomorrow, October 5th, via Atlantic Records. The first single from “Gold Rush” is “Good Morning”, a song that has appeared in multiple commercials and series this year. Now, Direct Lyrics is presenting you an exclusive email interview Max Frost agreed to give us where he discusses “Gold Rush”, the evolution of his sound, opening for Twenty One Pilots on the upcoming “Bandito” tour, his favorite songs of the moment or his dream of a J. Cole collaboration, among other things.

If you’re a hardcore fan of the Austin, Texas native, then this Q&A is a must-read for you. It’s always nice getting to know your favorite artist a little better, obtaining juicy information about a new album or finding out what your artist thinks future is holding for them.

THE INTERVIEW

Direct Lyrics: Hi Max, where are you answering this Q&A from and how has your day been like so far today?

Max Frost: I'm in LA! Just had a nice long run in the heat (usual morning routine) and am about to start getting all my gear together to rehearse tomorrow for the Twenty One Pilots tour!

Direct Lyrics: You are gearing up to release your new “Gold Rush” on October 5. What did you title the LP like that and what's the connecting theme throughout this new record?

Max Frost: The overall vibe for this album started when I decided to move from Austin to LA. It was a conscious decision to restart myself creatively. I had been living in Austin my entire life and needed a change. The songs on the album all talk about specific moments in my life that came forward during the writing process. Some from the past and some from the present. The title, Gold Rush, is a bit of a play on the historical gold rush to the west coast of America.

Direct Lyrics: How does “Gold Rush” differ to your last project “Intoxication” and how have you evolved as an artist? It's been 3 long years since that!

Max Frost: The writing on Gold Rush is much more direct and personal than on Intoxication. Also, my hip hop influences, which have always been a part of my musical backbone are significantly more present on Gold Rush. Production wise, I've strayed from effecting my voice and found a more mature and tasteful way to get the tracks across.

Direct Lyrics: “Gold Rush” is only 10 tracks in total. Did you record many more? If so, was the decision hard to cut down tracks for the final tracklist? And, do you think you will share the unreleased tracks with your fans in any form in the future?

Max Frost: I wrote SO MANY songs for this album. I went through several batches of vibes/sounds before I ended up on this 10 songs. There are still songs that I love that just didn’t fit within Gold Rush. I have a couple in mind that I plan to release as b-sides.

Direct Lyrics: I'm sure all the 10 tracks in “Gold Rush” are special to you. But is there one in particular you have an even greater special connection with for any particular reason?

Max Frost: The song "Sometimes" seems to really ring to me these days. It was the last song I wrote. It sort of came out of nowhere. I feel like it sums up the album and my journey to this point perfectly.

Direct Lyrics: Do you hope to shoot music videos for all songs?

Max Frost: I would love to shoot videos for all the songs! I suppose I've already got 2 knocked out with Good Morning and Eleven Days. I know the next video will be for Money Problems. We'll see what happens after that!

Direct Lyrics: You will be opening for Twenty One Pilots on their “Bandito” tour. How did that come about and what was your reaction when you heard the deal was closed? Must be super exciting opening for one of the biggest acts right now!

Max Frost: The Bandito Tour was like a miracle out of the sky. I was about to embark on my own solo tour. I had been preparing for months. Literally two weeks before my tour began, I got the call that we had been offered the tour. It was a difficult decision to cancel my own tour, but I knew this kind of opportunity might never come again.

Direct Lyrics: You had to postpone your own headlining tour due to the Twenty One Pilots opening act opportunity. What were your feelings at that moment?

Max Frost: I had invested a lot of time and energy into my own tour. I was ready to go. Not all that work will carry over. And worse than that, letting my own fans down and the groups that were gonna open on the tour wasn't easy. I knew it was a serious decision that would have consequences. Still, the choice was obvious and I think anybody would have done what I did.

Direct Lyrics: What can fans expect from your upcoming live sets opening for Twenty One Pilots?

Max Frost: I’ll be doing my one-man-musical-experience! I set up basically like a 5 piece electric band and run around the stage and play everything myself. Its a loop show, but I always like to explain that I found a way to make a loop show really a rock show instead of a science project haha.

Direct Lyrics: What are your Top 5 favorite songs of the moment?

What's The Use by Mac Miller,

GLOWED UP by Anerson Paak

Pray For Me by Kendrick/The Weekend

Pink and White by Frank Ocean

I Say A Little Prayer by Aretha

Direct Lyrics: If you could record a collaboration with any artist right now, who would it be, why him or her, and how do you imagine your collaboration to be like?

Max Frost: If I made a beat and hook that J Cole hopped on... That would be all I need. I'd be ready to quit after that haha.

12. How do you see yourself in 10 years?

Max Frost: I see myself still touring and releasing albums, but really starting to focus and succeed at producing and writing for new artists as well. I feel like the more people you work with, the more impact you get to have.

Direct Lyrics: Thank you for your time, Max! Any last thing you would like to tell our DirectLyrics.com readers?

Max Frost: Thanks for checking me out and I'll see ya at a shooooWWWW!!!!! :)

By on October 4, 2018
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