Meet Max Leone: Your New Favorite Alt-Pop Songwriter

Emerging artist Max Leone has pushed boundaries on what it means to be a pop artist with his signature introspective, raw, and relatable songwriting. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer from Portland, OR, his unique sound has caught the attention of outlets like Earmilk, Billboard, UPROXX, Ones to Watch, and NME, who referred to him as an “anti-pop prodigy.” After studying guitar at Berklee College of Music, moving to Los Angeles, and signing with The Darkroom, he has released a string of singles.

On fan favorite, “Cautious,” Leone discusses handling feelings of loneliness over a guitar driven beat. The song brings up an interesting internal dialogue about emotional vulnerability and allowing yourself to feel.

“CAUTIOUS” - MAX LEONE

Following “Cautious,” Leone released “The Beach,” a collaboration with Alexander 23. On “The Beach,” Leone outlines the complex feelings of going back to that one person, despite knowing it hurts you to do so. The lyrics are striking, with lines like “You lie / but I lie right next to you” and “Who hurt you to make you this way / pull me in then push you away.” There’s something so human about doing something over and over, half expecting a different result, half knowing how it ends.

“THE BEACH” - MAX LEONE

Next came the We Are: The Guard fave “Malleable” (read our full write up here!), followed by “5,” bringing us to today! “5” puts words to a feeling that I’m sure many of us have experienced lately given the turbulent state of the world. “5” is existential, asks the hard questions, and reminds us to live everyday and every minute to the fullest.

We had the chance to ask Leone some questions about his life, the writing and lyrics of “5,” and more!

WE ARE: THE GUARD: Hey Max! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. How have you been? How does a typical morning get started in your world? Has your routine been disrupted by COVID-19?

MAX LEONE: I’ve been pretty good, considering the current state of the world. A typical morning for me starts with an iced matcha latte (I recently figured out how to make them myself) and then I sit in my room/studio and work on music! Covid-19 has definitely had an impact on my lifestyle in general, but for the most part I’m in my room all day anyways, so it hasn’t had a huge affect on my routine. The most noticeable shift for me since quarantine has been experiencing these long periods of feeling uninspired before something new hits. But it eventually comes back around.

WATG: You just released "5!" Could you tell us about the process of making that song?

ML: “5” was written on a Zoom call a couple months ago with my friend, and amazing songwriter, Eric Leva. We were discussing how things have really changed this year in terms of how we perceive our world and how our roles in it have changed as well. That conversation turned into the concept for “5”. It’s really about how we go through certain shifts in our lives where a piece of us is left behind, and in a world where you knew when you were gonna lose that part of you, what would you do with that remaining time.

WATG: What do you and your music stand for?

ML: I’m not sure if my music stands for any one thing in particular. When I write music I am usually writing about things that I’m going through or have gone through in the past, and so I hope that when people listen to my songs they can find some comfort in that or identify with those feelings.

WATG: What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you first started?

ML: I wish I knew that everyone’s path is different and because of that, there’s no use to compare your situation to someone else’s. Things will happen when they are meant to, so don’t try to rush through it!

WATG: Who's one artist you love that needs more attention right now?

ML: I’ve recently been really obsessed with Jean Dawson. His music is really refreshing and his visuals are insane.
(We think so, too!)

WATG: What’s something you’re passionate about outside of music- i.e. a hobby, interest, cause, quirky or unexpected thing about you that people might not guess and can you tell us a little about that?

ML: I’m really interested in fashion and I want to get more involved in that world. I started customizing my clothes in high school and it’s really just grown on me as I get more in tune with my own style. I think music and fashion should coexist creatively with each other, so it seems like almost a natural extension of my music to be curating and even making my own clothes.

WATG: What fad do you wish would come back?

ML: Can we bring back the all denim fits from the 90’s?

We love to ask writers to break down their songs and talk us through the lyrics. Below, Max Leone discusses writing his most recent release “5.”

“5” - MAX LEONE

Loss of innocence
The death of ignorance is bliss
Run run run run the risk
And drive right to the edge of it

ML: This first stanza is kind of the basis for the rest of the song. You’ve lost your innocence, so what else do you have to lose?

And just think
What have I done
Who have I loved
Tsunami crashing up above
Was it enough

And don’t blink
Just play it cool
Dive off the roof
It’s holy water in this pool
I'll never be this young

ML: This pre-chorus is a development of the verse idea. Things are shifting all around us, and we don’t know what’s coming so we might as well live life to the fullest while we can.

If I only had five minutes to live
If I only had five minutes to live

ML: And here’s the question. What does living life to the fullest actually mean? What would you do If you only have 5 minutes to live? What do you value most?

The metaphors are out
We’re shaking hands with fears and doubts
Throw wishes at the clouds
The shift is any second now

And just think
What have I done
Who have I loved
Tsunami crashing up above
Was it enough

If I only had five minutes to live
If I only had five minutes to live

This is what it feels like
Walking in the rain
You know we could stay up all night
Call each other names
This is what it feels like
Walking in the rain
You know we could stay up all night
Call each other names
This is what it feels like
Walking in the rain
You know we could stay up all night
Call each other names
This is what it feels like
Walking in the rain
You know we could stay up all night

ML: Walking in the rain to me is something that can either be miserable, or it can feel like the most fun thing in the world. To me this part is like a “fuck it” moment where you can either choose to walk in the rain or you can hunker down and be afraid of what’s to come.

If I only had five minutes to live
If I only had five minutes to live

No I don’t wanna waste it
No I don’t wanna waste it
No I don’t wanna waste it
No I don’t wanna waste

No I don’t wanna waste it
No I don’t wanna waste it
No I don’t wanna waste it

“5” is out now via The Darkroom.