Today, we’d like to introduce you to Max Maisonneuve.
Hi Max, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Yeah, so I grew up in Houston, Texas. I was raised in a musical family, with my mom playing trumpet and piano and my brother playing trombone and piano. My parents were extremely encouraging of me to follow my passions growing up, whether it was music, gymnastics, theater, movies, or anything else. I started playing drum set when I was around eight years old and slowly became more interested in other instruments.
I started taking guitar lessons from my cousin Tony, then took lessons for many years with mark Lopez, who was hugely instrumental in my path as an artist. During high school, I took a step back from guitar and was involved in the high school band, doing marching band and classical performances. After high school, I moved to Austin and lived alone for about a year. During that time, I fell in love with guitar playing and singing once again and began writing songs whenever I could. After a year in Austin, I moved back to Houston to live with my parents.
I started experimenting with music production and released several singles during this time. After a year back at home, I decided to move to SLC to work in the indoor climbing industry and be closer to outdoor rock climbing, another huge passion of mine. Over the three years I have been here, I have released a couple more singles, and last year, during an extremely difficult time in my life, I wrote, produced, and released a full-length album while living in my band’s basement over the summer.
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?
Musically, it has been a fairly smooth road. I never put too much pressure on myself to create or make things “perfect.” I just wrote songs because I feel like I have to get these feelings out of me in some way and music is the way I have found does this best for me.
Life-wise, it hasn’t been all easy, 2023 was the hardest year of my life, and it took a lot for me to make it to the other side. But through all the struggles I become more of the person I am meant to be, so I would never change anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Totally! So professionally, I am a route setter at a climbing gym, and I also work in a local bookstore. Artistically, I am a musician, but for me, it goes much deeper than that. I have always loved art, whether it be painting, theater, music, movies, I love it, and I feel like I trying to live every facet of my life in a creative or artistic form.
But yes, I write, record, and produce music under the moniker “new house.” The name comes from my last name, “Maisonneuve,” which is French for a new house. It’s hard to put myself into a box creatively because so many different things inspire me, but my songs reflect me, and the struggles, or great things I have gone through to get here. Without music, I would truly be lost in this world.
What matters most to you?
My family has been an extremely important part of my life since childhood, and they truly are my rock when things get tough. My parents are the first people I call with good or bad news, and I know that no matter what it is, I will be met with care and great advice.
Doing what you love is also extremely important to me. I greatly advocate for doing things you love every day, whether they make you money or are hobbies. I make music because I enjoy it. I try not to get too caught up in success and just enjoy the process.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Tanner Prince and Chris Memmott
