Auckland, New Zealand resident Alphamax is a excellent example of a funk artist that elegantly leverages his originality and compositional skills to the service of modern entertainment. His new single ‘Never Never’ demonstrates blazing musical stylings that are sure to appeal to mainstream audiences. This funk rocker with a performance flair has the right look and the right attitude to become a proper funk / fusion-magnet and audiences around the world are beginning to acknowledge the fact that a new creative force has arisen. Where will he take it from here? One critic wrote of his award-winning work: ‘Alphamax operates through a sensual, highly inflected English that instantly intrigues, and the funky shape of 'Never Never' will have consummate appeal to fans of the genre.’ We suspect this artist will navigate the future on his own terms, given his obvious passion and musical skills. Independent reporter Alexis Adams recently caught up with Alphamax to discuss his music and the interesting path by which he came to it.
ALEXIS: As an artist on the rise, what is one thing you are most excited about and one thing you are most afraid of happening in your career?
ALPHAMAX: We get very excited and inspired every time we hear a positive feedback about our songs or performances. We love what we do. There are no career plans or expectations only dreams. It makes us happy to compose, rehearse, play music and especially to perform our songs live. It is a very fulfilling lifestyle, therefore there is no fear, just joy
ALEXIS: Your song ’Never Never’ is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
ALPHAMAX: It is one of our dreams which has already come true. All our close friends loved the song when we first shared it with them. Now we are delighted that our song connects us with so many likeminded people all over the world.
ALEXIS: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
ALPHAMAX: We are a happily married couple and we often meet people who are in search of happiness with that someone special. From an outsider’s perspective it is much easier to recognise when someone else’s relationship is dysfunctional. In most cases you are not even in a position to make a comment or give and advice. But even when you can do it, trying to help out a relative or a friend, they never listen. Our song Never Never was our attempt to help someone we know and care about to face their problems. We believe that a song can find a way to person’s heart much quicker than just words.
ALEXIS: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
ALPHAMAX: Absolutely. For many years I (Leina, the lead singer-songwriter in ALPHAMAX) woke up at night hearing a nice melody in my head or composing a symphony while conducting an orchestra in my dreams, It was very frustrating as I didn’t have any application of the talent I knew I possessed. Then one day a friend of mine referred me to the genius voice coach Cheryl McLeay. After a few years of intensive vocal training and artistic development under her guidance everything started to fall into the right place and now here I am communicating my music to the world.
ALEXIS: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
ALPHAMAX: All of the above and also unpredictable. We try to just go we the flow and see what happens.
ALEXIS: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
ALPHAMAX: We always look for soul mates and welcome musicians to join in. But it's always going to be just our couple as a core of the band and rules-maker.
ALEXIS: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
ALPHAMAX: Leina: I grew up to my mum listening to her favourite tunes on radio or CDs all day long. She spent 10 years playing piano and just loves music. I always wanted to have music in my life and enrolled myself into a musical school when I was 10 years old. However it wasn't meant to be at that time. My life took a different direction and my sporting talents kept me on a different pathway for many years.
Max: I grew up singing in a church every Sunday and later collecting CD’s and made my own mixes to play at friends dancing parties.
ALEXIS: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
ALPHAMAX: The whole process of having an idea for a new song, shaping it, rehearsing, and working with a producer on an arrangement and finally to hear the whole song for the first time always makes us excited. The challenge is in presenting a new song to the crowd at the live performance. We are emerging artists with a very unique sound and do not take any positive feedback for granted.
ALEXIS: Who are your role models in music?
ALPHAMAX: Leina: I admire the music and lyrics of Imagine Dragons songs and also the very unique composing style and intensity of Amy Winehouse
Max: I am a fan of a young New Zealand star Lorde and the classical vocals of Lionel Richie.
ALEXIS: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
ALPHAMAX: We will never forget our first performance. Little did we know. I wouldn’t say it went smoothly. It was four of us that day. We all were very nervous and made mistakes. Surprisingly for us the crowd of 150 people ( a big one for emerging artists to face) loved our performance and we even got an award for the most original act at that show.
ALEXIS: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
ALPHAMAX: Miracles do happen. Here is a line from our new song, called “Get a Jet” :” Pursue your dream. Do not give up…”
ALEXIS: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
ALPHAMAX: We are preparing to release our first EP album, called Get a Jet. It will contain 4 songs. 3 of them are in our unique funky style/beat and one is a slow and philosophical ballad. We’ve already got a lot of encouragement and positive feedback from our close surroundings about our new EP album and can’t wait to share it with the world.
ALEXIS: Wonderful! Thank you sharing some insights into what makes you the artist that you are. I wish you continued success in your career.
http://alphamaxrecords.com
