My Solo Piano EP is available everywhere today!
It just so happens to be #bandcampfriday so please consider setting aside some change for all of your independent artist friends 🙂
Somehow I’ve gotten into the habit of posting long winded deep dives on this page. I’m gonna *attempt to* keep it short today😂
This EP was completely improvised at the beautiful Steinway I was blessed to grow up playing. I actually did another project like this back in 2019 and you can still take a listen. There’s nothing wrong with what I played, but I cared so little about letting anyone know the last time. It was a placeholder. Even when people asked me if I had music out I would say something along the lines of “yeah, technically” brushing it off. The truth is, I didn’t really think anyone would care or listen. And I told myself that I didn’t care if they did either. It’s normal for me to sit and play for myself for hours. For myself.
I play to heal.
But that’s only half the battle, because I know im not the only one going through it.
So it’s out in the multiverse, and I hope it can bring you some peace and healing in this crazy world.
@noah.avary 🎤🎛️
Huge thank you for coming through to engineer the session, and for being so adamant on me releasing music. Everyone please go check out his project @gingham.beats !
@jantrit 💽🎛️
thank you for adding some beautiful touches on the mix and master & our late night hangs and deep conversations. Can’t wait to hear all the records you’ve been working on!
Much Love,
Max 💛
Okay been putting this off long enough. Here’s two tracks off my upcoming “Solo Piano” EP for your listening pleasure (link in bio).
I often sit at the piano without a destination, only intention is to keep an open mind and see where my heart and mind will take me. I ask you to do the same and encourage any musicians or artists of any background to create in a stream of consciousness. It’s truly a freeing and humbling experience and has truly helped me through so much.
Full EP out March 1st on all platforms.
Pre-save link coming very soon.
Much love,
Max💛
.
.
.
.
.
P.S. I am extremely grateful for everyone who has encouraged me and bothered me to put out music. And sorry it’s taken so long but better late than never😉
Special shoutout to @noah.avary - recording engineer and mixing, as well as @jantrit on some additional mixing touches & mastering!
“Making the original music for West Side Familia with the Omar’s Hat band was everything! The original tracks are music directed by the flyest gyal @blackbuttaflyofficial with composition from band pioneer @max_ilan , and rumba expertise from my bro @ale.clave
I remember how this band’s soulful energy and good vibes turned their shows into a weekly community gathering spot when I first saw them come together years ago in college in Philly. It was everything getting to reunite and bring their funky jazzy rumba / salsa flair to the film, which is about a community that became musically-influential through its mix of cultures.
They also finally let me play clave with them by the end (!!) hehe. So happy they helped our mission of making music a character and v excited to share more when it’s show time! “
Special thanks to the incredible band @omars__hat@blackbuttaflyofficial #SamHarris @danielspearmanmusic@dahonsax@ale.clave@marlows_world@kyonnxt and @max_ilan for setting the heartbeat of the moment, elevating the entire experience.
#SoundOfTheBlock #OriginalMusic #FilmScore #MusicInFilm #CommunityThroughMusic #westsidefamilia #CulturalFusion #Rumba #Salsa #FunkyJazz
Quick story time.
Back in high school at GAMP, Mikey Leggerie, Michael Wooten and myself were the biggest piano/keyboard/theory geeks. Only one, (Mikey) had true perfect pitch (although everyone thought we all did).
We all had our different tastes in music and at the time I was honestly surprised someone so talented at playing and with such great ear could be such a fan of Pop music and Country (ha!). He was an absolute mega fan of Shania Twain, always talking about idolizing her, reading her biography at lunch, going to her Vegas residency to meet her (see 2nd photo).
His dream was to work with her one day.
So, when I got the call to make some arrangements and record on a Shania tune, I instantly thought of Mikey, who unfortunately left this world way too soon. Thank you for being a light in this world and just know that you were definitely seen, and appreciated. Dedicating my parts on this record to you❤️🎶
Huge shoutout to @thetomcridland for trusting me to play keys and make orchestral arrangements for this track with nearly 24hr turnaround time 😅
@blackbuttaflyofficial came in clutch with killer organ and @noah.avary / @just.brie on glockenspiel & vibraphone
Oh and almost forgot to mention some more music legends are on this track @nathaneast@stevelukatherofficial & @rayparkerjr !! 🎸🎸🎸
Thank you @thestylisticsofficial for almost 8 years of touring. These are the moments that make the long days worth it.
Another year down, let’s multiply these credits this year !!! 🎆✨
1. Music I worked on this year
2. My office @billboardlive_tokyo with @thestylisticsofficial
3. View from Shibuya hotel
4. @noah.avary 🧑🍳 📀
5. @omars__hat fam🫶
6. Windsor castle
7-9 first time in Paris
10. Debut at @carnegiehall (I made it!?)
11. Brazil vibes
12. Meeting @flytetymejam the one and only
Mark your calendar ! Adventure into the unknown, you might like what you find! :)
Oct 18th - 7:30 pm @blacksquirrelclub
Featuring
@gcalvinweston@max_ilan@leeclarkeonline
link to tickets in bio
#livemusic #philly #visitphilly #uwishunu #phillymusic #musicscene #datenight #fishtownphilly #northernliberties #unkown #electronics #experimental #experimentalmusic #transcend #music #musician #musicianlife #music
Coming up @blacksquirrelclub with @gcalvinweston@max_ilan@leeclarkeonline
Link to tickets in bio
Not playing Tom Petty ! :)
#livemusic #phillymusic #phillymusicscene #musicvenue #musicvenues #liveband #improvisedmusic #drums #trumpet #bass #synth #piano #quartet #artmusic #classicalmusic #music #musician #musicians
I’m so sat for this new new release, 4+4 is eight I know this one’s a banger stream via link in bio
also it’s bandcampfriday plz support if you can!
____
The piano track is from a solo session recorded a late night in Southend, UK with @forgetcape in 2022.
For the RMX:
@martronimous producer, trumpet
@max_ilan 🎹
@leeclarkeonline 🎹
COVER ART:
jenbrown_art : painting
@bjorksblackrelative : Text AND animation
@haam.solo : cover photo
#music #remix #piano #philly #gritty #lofi
WE R LIVE • SOUTHEND RMX • NEW MUSIC
.
Made this remix w @max_ilan gorgeous solo piano over a year ago. It lounged around, taught me some lessons about patience, and finally decided to show up in a moment of my own growth and transition. It gave me time to bring a lot more friends and creators into the process, and to remember that I like my own music 🤣🙏🏻 enjoy and peep this fantastic credit list::::::
VIDEO:
@meekayfenton 💃🏻
@shotbyesso 🎥
MUSIC:
@max_ilan 🎹
@leeclarkeonline 🎹
COVER ART:
@jenbrown_art : painting
@bjorksblackrelative : Text AND animation
@haam.solo : cover photo
THANK YOU ALL, LOVE TO YOU ALL
.
.
.
#philly #phillymusic #newmusic #musicvideo #dance #hiphop #jazz #lofi #remix
I am setting out to post a new video on my YouTube page WEEKLY in 2024 😳
Please do help me out by holding me accountable and checking in, even if you don’t watch my content😂
It won’t all be keyboard demo videos and I am also very much open to collaborate, if anyone is interested feel free to hmu 🙂
Putting together a sample pack and this is my fav FX from @dexibell 🔥
3 close friends independently asked me what I was doing for myself within the same 24 hours. This happened to be the most recent thing, so I decided to post a clip for you all.
Within this short video is a glimpse of a day in the life. I try to always start my day with something creative and fulfilling for myself, because I do spend so much of my time and energy on others. Quite honestly this is something that I am still working hard at, and I think it is all too common in fellow musicians and creative people. Make time for yourself, you won’t regret it💛
It’s only my 4th vlog and im still working out a good flow but subscribe to my YouTube channel for the full video & more…
Music & video created by yours truly🎶📼😁
