In 1987, while listening to Frankie Knuckles’ "Your Love," Max Grillo’s musical world was forever changed, immersing him in the House and Underground scenes, which brought him deep emotions, satisfaction, and a mental journey. As his passion grew, he explored Techno and Tech-House by 2000. However, he stepped away from music that same year to focus on family commitments, feeling conflicted between his dual life. Two decades later, in December 2020, Max returned to his roots, visiting an audio store, rekindling his passion for music and technology after a 20-year break. Today he is tapping in with 6AM to discuss exploration, surprises, and the art of mixing.

Hi Max! Thanks for talking to 6AM group. How are you doing?

Good morning everyone, happy to be here.. Right now I'm studying music, in the true sense of the word... Constantly, I need stimuli,.. strange, but true,.. I can never stop, and... Every time I reach a goal, it can't satiate me, it doesn't satisfy me, I want more, I want something else. I don't know what exactly he's looking for, in music, maybe a sound, a melody, .. but I need to expand all this and not stop at what I see, but at what I hear... and so I'm moving on...

 

For those that don’t know you’ve been a lover of classic dance music and were in it since you were 11! We were told when you first heard "Your Love" by Frankie Knuckles back in 1987, it completely changed your inner musical world. Can you describe what you felt at that moment? Was it the energy, the emotion, or something you couldn’t quite put into words?

Yes, that record has everything I like about this kind of music,.. loop, bass line, rising melody, atmosphere and crazy singing. imagine that I can't play it because I get so excited that tears come to my eyes. I remember too indelible when I listened to it for the first time. But I couldn't explain that kind of emotion to her

You’ve explored everything from French House to Tech House and Techno. What draws you to mix these genres together, and do you have a favorite “unexpected” combination you’ve created in a set?

"It's a word I love. It is no coincidence that it is a tattoo that I have right under my left arm and reflects everything in my life, including music. and so, compared in the sets, it is precisely what makes me feel good, .. I never play to make people dance, I play what excites me.

 At this moment, what I play, amazes me too often, the problem I like,.. forgive me for the term.." I enjoy".. and if I look back, without even going that far, let's take a year ago, I would never have imagined getting to play what I play now.." Unexpected"

You mentioned stepping away from music in 2000 because you didn’t want to live a double life. Looking back, do you think that time away helped shape the kind of artist you are today? How does Max Grillo 2.0 manage to balance life and music?

Definitely yes, .. at the time I was too influenced by what I was experiencing at the time... and that I listened to .. Today I have my own way of looking for and researching music in its various genres, bpm etc .. and I confess that sometimes I play tracks that have nothing to do with what should be the focus of the set,,, that is to make the audience dance... my "set up" is an instrument like a guitar for the one who plays it... only that I do it with electronic music. You may like it, not like it. it can make you dance, it can not make you dance.. I don't pose the problem.. I tell you this, hoping not to pass as arrogant, but it is the truth .. I don't make playlists, and I listen to the tracks completely during the set, because I like the "Unexpected" effect, as it stimulates my creativity.

 

Fast-forward to 2020, when you walked into an audio store after 20 years. What was your first thought when you saw controllers instead of traditional turntables? Was it a moment of confusion, excitement, or a mix of both

I would say desperation perhaps?  Spaceship? Aliens.. Shocking?! this was what I tried... and from a DDJ 400, which I barely knew where the right "Play" was located and I recognized the arrow, to today with a family made up of 2 MIXER MODEL 1.4, 2 XONE K2, 1 MASHINE MIKRO MK3, 1 F1 NATIVE INSTRUMENTS, 1 FOCUSRITE, 1 BOSS DD8... all in a made flightcase personalized that I carry with me jealously,.. and woe betide anyone who touches it... yes, I would say that it is a journey of a wonderful experience accompanied by my Buddhist faith.

Despite the changes in technology and platforms, you’ve said your passion for music is even stronger now than it was before. What fuels that passion today? Is it the discovery of new music, the thrill of mixing, or connecting with listeners in a new way?

Simply that it makes me feel good to play electronic music, regardless of the genre, the speed of the track, and by nature, I love to share what makes me feel good first. Expecting nothing back

 

Thanks so much for taking the time with us to tell us about your journey. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes.Nam Myoho Renge Kyo …nothing else!

CONNECT with MAX GRILLO: Instagram | Soundcloud | Youtube