Q&A: maximilian Releases Solo Project 'RUNNER,' a Hauntingly Beautiful Rumination on Love, Vulnerability, and Moving Forward
WRITTEN BY RAFFAELLA VOGT
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To be a visionary is to think forward and bring your thoughts into reality. In August, North Carolina-based artist and producer maximilian manifested his future into his first solo album, RUNNER. Across the sixteen songs, maximilian explores the struggles that come with love, vulnerability, and intimacy.
RUNNER crafts a soundscape that entrances and immerses the viewer in the deep end of the craft he has been honing over the past 6 years. A departure from his work with Biking With Francis, RUNNER serves as an experimentation for maximilian, putting his experience and expertise at the forefront.
Maximilian opens up about how his inspirations, creative process, and craft amounted to this release and have formed this new chapter of his career.
LIFE ON JUPITER: How do the features on RUNNER contribute to the specific tracks they’re on?
MAXIMILIAN: Collaboration has always been a cornerstone of my music career. Every feature elevates the track they are on. Willoh, the artist on “TREADS” and “LITTLE LOSS”, completely changed the direction and vibe of the tracks. DERBY’s storytelling on “WHY” helps drive the central theme and paint a picture that you exist in while listening to the song. Alex Banin adds lovely harmonies and melodies to “OVERU.” ISOMEANSWAR is so talented. He can find any pocket, and his melodies on “CHARMER” are some of my favorites on the album.
What was your process for shaping the album’s soundscape?
MAXIMILIAN: I just made the music; there's no process. I love textures, I love harmonies, and I trust my palette and ears. I make what I want to make at the moment. This album was a collection of moments from the past year that just fit together too perfectly.
Are there songs on the album that you’ve been developing for a while, or are they all new creations?
MAXIMILIAN: The oldest track on the project is “LITTLE LOSS", I had a demo of it from early August 2024. Besides that, every other track was made in the past year. All new creations.
Who are your biggest inspirations, and in what ways have they influenced your craft?
MAXIMILIAN: Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys was my first true inspiration. Brian Wilson always said; music, melody, then lyrics, and that's typically how my songs come about. Especially coming from being a producer and instrumentalist first.
Frank Ocean and Daniel Caesar are easily two of my favorite writers and storytellers in modern music. Mk.gee and Dijon have been massive inspirations to me since I started making music 6 years ago. Tyler, the Creator’s branding and world-building, is a skill I've tried to hone and add to my utility belt. Currently, my favorite artist is Samba Jean-Baptiste. Man, he's different. His music just feels like you're observing someone's thoughts existing in a moment. Huge fan of his.
How was working on this solo project different from working on Biking With Francis?
MAXIMILIAN: From a music-making standpoint, it was easier. My solo music is the most adjacent to the BWF style and brand, so it allowed me to express myself in unique ways. I was spending a lot of time on my own, and it just created a situation where I could go all in on my music. Biking [With Franics] stuff, there are two more opinions, points of view, and voices in the process. It serves as an advantage in many ways. It's funny tho, I still have Garrett on RUNNER, Josh heard demos and offered insight, and we work with the same visual team as we do for BWF. So, in every other aspect, it still feels a part of the BWF ecosystem.
When conceptualizing RUNNER, did the vintage-digital aesthetic or the musical style come first?
MAXIMILIAN: Here's how it went down. Chris Steelframe showed me a music video, “Driver”, by Bennett Coast. I loved it. At the same time, I had been watching a lot of Sci-Fi movies, Blade Runner 2049 being one of my favorites. I saw the word "Runner" in the title and was like, "That looks sick, that's gonna be my album name." Around that time, Steelframe asked if I'd seen the Alien franchise, which I hadn't. I ran those and fell in love with the visual aesthetic. The old CRT TVs, the mother computer, everything. Technically, the name and the visual aesthetic of the music came first. I've got 2 albums in the works right now, and the music is not done, but I've already planned the visual identity, shoots, outfits, and show ideas.
Are there any audio motifs or “Easter eggs” you’d like listeners to listen for?
MAXIMILIAN: That's for the listener to find out.
Is there a track on the album you feel particularly connected to or proud of?
MAXIMILIAN: “LIMERENCE” is my favorite song I've ever made. I was staying at the beach, and had just gone on a long walk, left my phone at the house. It was great. I came back, and the chords and picking pattern just poured out. I love that song.