Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Oliver.
Hi Max, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started producing / Djing 2.5+ years ago. I made the decision after attending lost lands festival because I love heavy dubstep and I wanted to be able to create my own heavy drops and mixes for myself at the gym. Another reason was; other artists usually only play like 1-3 heavy drops and I wished they would play more heavy drops.
At first I purchased Ableton and started trading photography shoots with other DJ/producers for music knowledge and lessons. I started to create my own high energy workout mixes for myself because I was tired of rewinding the same drops on apple music. I sent some of my mixes to my friends and they loved it and told me I should post it publicly on SoundCloud. I did that and my first mix took off rapidly even though my mixing/ producing skills weren’t’ the best at the time. The main reason why my mixes stood out to my fans and myself is because I keep a constant high energy throughout my mix. For years I was in the crowd so I got to see how the crowd reacts to other artists playing and a lot of people would be bored, including myself for a majority of their sets and we wished they would play better music more consistently throughout their sets. I break pretty much all the rules of dj’ing, which a typical set we are suppose to slowly build up energy throughout your set and take it back down. I start my sets off high energy and keep it consistent while providing different types of breaks so the heavy songs don’t lose impact.
Since I’ve started I’ve been nonstop grinding on music, collabing with local artists such as ENDTIDE, taking lessons with other headliner artists such as RZRKT, STRYER, SCAREXX.
I’ve released 4 originals, several mixes such as my most popular Wooli Tribute set and Illenium in the streets, Excision in the sheets. I have also recently started producing mashups which have a been a huge hit, inlcuding my Hardest MF mashup with Heresies. This mashup was played out by excision at Bass canyon 2026, Breakaway fest, Dancefestopia.
My very first public set was playing in my friends living room for a crowd of about 10 people, I then opened for a few local venues in portland, OR. After a year I had my first Headline local show for about 50 people.
Since then I have now played at Bass Canyon local stage, I have opened for RZRKT, HOL!, Emorfik, Endtide and been direct support for Alienpark.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not. Unfortunately at the same time as I started producing music my dad suffered a stroke, cancer, developed JC virus from chemotherapy. He went from being normal to fully disabled, not being able to remember most things, completely lost his ability to talk and comprehend anything. He was on and off hospice for 2.5 years and he recently just passed back in August. I had to manage all the things for him, which was very frustrating dealing with insurance, care homes, attorneys…etc.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Outside of producing music on my spare time.
I am currently a Pre sales solution specialist at A-dec for my full time job. I work with CAD / CATIA. I help design custom dental furniture cabinets.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Be kind, don’t have a high ego, offer things in exchange to others, believe in others as well, find local friends to advance and collaborate with.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dead.hearts.revived/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/max.oliver.9619
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/RsmSsypJtJqtIJx1i5
