[INTERVIEW] Rising House Duo Max Low Talks Recent Touring, Their Production Style, Groove Cruise Memories, And Plans For Its 20th Anniversary Sailing

Connor Phillips | January 07, 2024

Since launching their project in 2022, tech house duo Max Low has already performed at acclaimed festivals like EDC Las Vegas and Nocturnal Wonderland, while sharing the stage with James Hype, Oliver Heldens, and other dance music legends.

The Seattle-born, L.A.-based pair boasts an equally impressive resume when it comes to production. Their groovy production style and dance floor-primed heaters have received support from Vintage Culture, David Guetta, and Lee Foss, to name a few. Additionally, they have landed anthems on a number of prominent labels, such as Hau5trap, Insomniac's IN/ROTATION, and Matroda's Terminal Underground.

As Max Low's fanbase and industry reputation continue to skyrocket, we had the honor of talking with them about the intricacies of their music careers, interests beyond DJing and production, and upcoming set aboard Groove Cruise 2024.

Check out our exclusive interview with Max Low below.

Max Low, Interview, Groove Cruise 2024

iEDM: You popped off throughout 2023, playing at iconic events like EDC Las Vegas and Day Trip Fest. How do these experiences shape your perspective on your evolving career?

Max Low: It was a really exciting year! We got to play internationally, headline a festival, and have the opportunity to meet and work with some of our idols.

This was all amazing, but it was also humbling at the same time, inspiring us to keep growing and getting better.

iEDM: With releases on labels like Insomniac's IN/ROTATION, hau5trap, and CID's Night Service Only, how do you navigate the diverse landscape of electronic music, and what defines the Max Low sound?

Max Low: We have tried to focus on not following trends and making music that we like and want to play. We were DJs first and wanted to produce tracks that would fit in our sets and help us throw a party!

While our tastes have changed and evolved over the years, we have remained pretty consistent with our sound: high-energy tech house with lots of fun vocals.

iEDM: With a herd of cats and shared interests in kitchens, outdoor activities, and discussing aliens, how do these nonmusical aspects of your lives influence your creative process and camaraderie?

Max Low: It is so important to have some balance with other interests besides music! We were friends for years before we became DJ partners, and still have the best time just hanging out.

Also, the best ideas usually come when you are not trying. We came up with the concept for our highest-charting track, “TECHTONIC,” when we were driving up to Mammoth Mountain and chatting about the geological features of California.

iEDM: What are your top 3 favorite Will Ferrell movies and the funniest scenes from them?

Max Low: Step Brothers is #1 for sure! The quotes, “so much room for activities,” and “Did we just become best friends?!” seem applicable to our lives almost daily. Also, the bunk bed scene never stops being hilarious no matter how many times we watch it.

The entire Prestige Worldwide scene is epic! We even tried to get that as our LLC name, but it was unfortunately already taken.

Anchorman is #2. Then it’s a tie between Elf during the holiday season and Talladega Nights the rest of the year.

iEDM: Regarding your NYE show with Oliver Heldens at Exchange LA, how do holiday-focused sets differ from regular sets? For example, do you have any NYE-themed edits that you played?

Max Low: For big shows and festivals, we like to plan things out a little more to keep the energy up, transition between tracks a little faster than usual, and add in some mashups and throwbacks.

We have been known to play some holiday-themed edits for Halloween and Christmas, but for this show, Oliver Heldens was doing the countdown so we let him cover the NYE edits :)

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iEDM: You will be opening and closing out the night for this show. How do you approach prepping these performances and their difference in the energy and vibe you want to embody?

Max Low: We love playing these kinds of shows! We will start with some chiller, groovier tracks while the room is filling up and gradually bring up the energy as everyone gets warmed up for the night.

For closing, everyone is hyped up and we can kind of get away with whatever. So we will play a bit harder and faster, throw in fun remixes of songs people can sing along to, and maybe even go with some techno or UKG-leaning stuff.

iEDM: What were some of your favorite moments from Groove Cruise Cabo in 2022?

Max Low: That one was very special because a bunch of our friends and family came from across the country too! Being able to spend time with them and show them what Groove Cruise is all about was incredible.

Playing Gene Farris’s Carnival party was a major highlight. We are stoked to be doing it again this year!

We will never forget when we were having so much fun at Anthony Attalla’s afters set but were too tired to dance more. It led to us dragging lounge chairs out on the dance floor so we could lie down but still enjoy the party.

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iEDM: What does it mean to you to now be part of Groove Cruise’s 20th anniversary this January? What activities and amenities are you most looking forward to experiencing?

Max Low: The Groove Cruise team has been really supportive of us since the early days of our project, so it is a huge honor to be part of the 20th-anniversary sailing. We truly feel like a part of the family. Plus, the lineup is absolutely insane!

As far as activities and amenities go, we are looking forward to our artist activities, of course! Beer Olympics with our good friend Bryan Lubiner will be wild, and we are also doing an espresso martini tasting.

We will definitely have to check out this racetrack that we have been hearing so much about, and the Great Bingo Revival is always a can’t-miss on the cruise.

iEDM: Can you hint at anything regarding your upcoming set at Groove Cruise 2024 for your fans to get excited about, such as IDs?

Max Low: We have a few new IDs and edits we are excited to test out! One of them may or may not be a collab with another artist who is also playing Groove Cruise…

We always love to support our friends, therefore we have some infectious unreleased music from them that we are sure is going to pop off!

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iEDM: Reflected across your socials, both of your tastes in fashion and fits are consistently on point! What outfits do you have in mind or would recommend based on the themed-party schedule for Groove Cruise 2024?

Groove Cruise 2024

Max Low: First of all, thank you! For the themes, we are most excited about the Captain’s Jubilee on the last night since it will be a chance to look a little fancy, which we have not had the opportunity to do yet on Groove Cruise. We are thinking sequins, glitter, satin, fur, and big jewelry!

If you are like us and always throwing outfits together last minute, something animal print for Welcome To The Jungle on Thursday or something checkered for Groove Racers on Friday would be easy options.

We cannot wait to see what out-of-the-box ideas everyone comes up with!