Max Hay
|
Join the Mailing List |
Bio
Max grew up in Helena, MT and spent his early twenties in Missoula playing in bands like Abeja's Revenge, Shot in the Foot, The Two Fuggin Guys, and Front Street Guitar Army. In 2003 Max was accepted into the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, AZ. Following school, Hay worked as an audio engineer in Nashville, TN, mixing for stage and studio before signing on as tour manager/sound guy for a country-rock band. He began warming up the crowd at select gigs. His focus shifted, from engineering, back to his own music. After 3 years of steady touirng, Max has played his live show all over the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
About
Currently touring as a solo entertainer with a DIY approach to the music, Max brings charisma and light-hearted banter to the stage. With a weathered guitar and a voice like a muscle car, Hay plays honestly and from the heart. The performance uses tidbits of personal travelogue to showcase political injustice, exalted criminals, seductive women, and whiskey. Max gained an ear for professionalism through his previous career as a live sound engineer, mixing shows for Hal Ketchum, Bret Michaels, and The Music Mafia.
Through abstract use of African, Jamaican, Irish, Appalachian, and Blues rhythms, Max's music is a spicy departure from the traditional coffeehouse sound. The product is something left of reggae and north of bluegrass that has been described by the Missoula Independent as "hillbilly reggae." Drawing from influences like The Clash, Johnny Clegg, Tom Waits, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Victor Ruggiero, Ween, John Hartford, Sean Paul, The Band, Lyle Lovett, and Bruce Springsteen, Max's delivery is uniquely satisfying.
Recommended
Contests/Events
