Are you a fashion man – what’s the Maxwell look?
‘Very low-key, I like a pair of jeans, some Stan Smiths, white shirt, black pants. It’s not like I’m walking around like I’m on stage during the day! Label-wise I like the classics – Saint Laurent, Maison Margiela, and there’s also the Parisian label Ami. Paul Smith I’ve been wearing a lot of for twenty years now. I like the sense of humour in English fashion, where it looks good but it’s not so stiff. On the Farfetch shoot I loved the Common Projects shoes because they’re a sort of sneaker/shoe hybrid and pretty smart.’
You released your hit debut album twenty years ago, have you changed as a songwriter since then?
‘I have changed, I go with my gut a little more – the songs kind of write themselves now rather than me trying to write them. And that’s because I have a lot more security in my belief than I did before. For me the important element [of being an artist] is just to maintain your health and be on point with what you do creatively.’
We’ve been waiting seven years for this album – what’s the reason behind your hiatus?
‘It wasn’t a conscious decision, it’s purely down to anxiety. You’ve just got to get it right you know? I don’t want to put a record out that makes me go “Oh yeah that’s the nineties, oh yeah that one is the 2000s”. We have to be really conscious about keeping it classic, not being slang-heavy or talking about things of the moment. My attitude is that it takes time to make something timeless.’
Does the music leave you time for anything else?
‘I do allow myself to have a life – I think that’s really important. I lend my hand to philanthropic work and education. And I love the simple things like riding my bike, or going to the beach or reading a good book. And I love my [hair]brush! It’s a Mason Pearson, which is a really good brush and it gives a good massage.’
GETTING TO KNOW MAXWELL What’s your party trick?
‘A flask. Always, always, always carry a flask.’
Do you have a karaoke song?
‘You know that’s kind of what I do for a living!’
Who’s your favourite superhero?
‘Batman.’
Do you have a favourite vacation spot?
‘It’s difficult to say just one. I’ve been to Mexico a lot and it’s beautiful. Capri too, and the Maldives and Dubai. London is beautiful in the summer.’
What building would you most like to be locked in overnight?
‘Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Everything is right there to see.’
No comments:
Post a Comment