MaxX & Love

Source: Supplied

The duo opened a show for Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse at Snatch 32 in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 30 October, which was for Mabuse’s pre-70th birthday dinner. Mabuse remarked at the time: “2022 could be the band's breakout year.”

The band close off the year with four more shows - 16 and 17 December at SowaarBar in Pretoria, 18 December at Sinkshack, Bronkhorstspruit and 19 December at Menlyn Mall, Pretoria.

I spoke to the band last week:

The new decade means:

New beginnings and endless potential. It’s full of questions, possibilities, hope and fear all at the same time. But best of all, they’re all the furthest thing from the end.

Fame is about:

Responsibility. The more you have, the more people follow what you say and even emulate what you do.

Retirement will happen when:

Death.

I don't do:

Background music. We work so hard on a show so we can create and offer an experience to be engaged with.

What does music mean to you?

It helps bring meaning to life. It offers perspective to an otherwise chaotic world.

My music is about:

Our philosophy is the answer, the blues is a feeling. We honor that every time we perform.

We would love to co-write with:

Joe Bonamassa and Jack Garratt.

#MusicExchange: Feya Faku

Martin Myers  1 Dec 2021

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

As Picasso said: “Inspiration finds me working”. Doesn’t matter where or when.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Getting to play, in every sense of the word.

The song you must do in every show?

I’ll Never Fall in Love - our first original song as MaxX & Love.

Any funny moments on stage?

The moment Love left MaxX on stage mid song to go and dance with the audience. It was a beautifully spontaneous moment because what was happening on stage surpassed just us, the audience had become a part of the performance and Love just had to join them as they joined us.

Our heroes:

Jimmy Page, Joe Bonamassa, Elmore James, Michael Jackson and Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino).

My style icon:

Johnny Depp.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

Donald Glover.

What is your most treasured possession?

1957 Fender Hawaiian Resonator.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Whiskey on the rocks.

Dream gig to do:

Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise.

What makes you stand out?

Our showmanship (and stank face!).

Nicknames:

Climax (for MaxX) and Chabbs (for Love).

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Well aside from being musicians, we’re both actors as well, so that.

Who would play you in a Hollywood Blockbuster and why?

MaxX: Jimi Hendrix or Robert Johnson in a biopic!
Love: Prince or Smokey Robinson in a biopic!

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Dynamic, eclectic, perceptive, weird and outspoken.

Five favorite SA albums?

Inganekwane by Zoe Modiga
Ngiwu Shwabada by Sibusile Xaba
Welcome to This World by MABUTA
Buffering juju by dumama + kechou
Real by Dan Padlansky

Greatest movie ever made?

I don’t think there is one. Not for us at least. Too many are too great.

What books are you reading?

We don’t really have the patience for reading, so that’s a very on and off kind of thing.

What songs changed your life?

Since I’ve Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin and Sondela by Ringo Madlingozi.

#MusicExchange: Three Tons of Fun

Martin Myers  8 Dec 2021

Who do you love?

Each other.

What is your favorite word?

Rest.

Favorite fashion garment:

Chains.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

“What’s your bite (pronounced baaryt)?. Well… This can mean what’s up with you, what’s your problem, what’s going on? Love came up with it.

Top of your bucket list:

Performing around the world.

Your greatest achievement:

Successfully getting this MaxX & Love thing going. We’ve been playing as musicians for a while separately and coming together was both very difficult and very easy.

What do you complain about most often?

People’s laziness and sense of entitlement.

What is your fear?

As far as the music goes, nothing. We both have philosophical fears and doubts but music has always been a safe place for us.

No such thing as an overnight success , so proud of the achievement to get @siphohotstix on the cover of @GQdotcoza with @MolifeK

Out on Monday @siphohotstix on cover and story , in stores in ����physical copies - @GalloRecordsSA @tamaradey @BikoMabuse2 @RaziaMmm pic.twitter.com/ymiRaZzk6G

— TripleMEntertainment (@TripleMEntSA) December 12, 2021

Happiness is:

Being on stage. A whole experience of its own.

On stage, I tend to:

Close my eyes. I zone out and let the music take me.

The best life lesson you have been taught?

Study the masters.

Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV?

As an athlete, MaxX never watches sports. Love is an Arsenal fan and anyone familiar with Arsenal knows that Arsenal fans are constantly worked up.

Where would you like to be right now?

As present as possible.

Do you do charity work and if you do, what do you do?

We participate in an initiative called Young Aspiring Thinkers that aims to introduce youth to as many career options as possible, create career conducive networks or communities and connect them to work and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Wishes and dreams:

To tour the world, keep growing as musicians and as much as we want to share our story, we want to experience all that life has to offer.

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