An interview with Max Maryott - On “Cold in California”, No Choreography, and Choosing the Unknown

The real art sometimes lies in taking something from an artist while still letting it move freely. Getting lost in it, and somehow finding yourself again – because the artist created a space that invites your own interpretation. The new track “Cold in California” by Max Maryott is exactly that kind of beautiful example. Not only is it a song that feels atmospheric and dense, it reaches beyond romantic love, touching on the relationship to oneself. About the moment when decisions, distance, and doubt begin to shift everything – when something that once felt warm slowly changes its temperature.

Max Maryott is a Southern California–born artist moving between pop, R&B, and movement. His music often begins with a feeling – something intuitive that slowly turns into melody and words. After discovering music early on, he found his way back to it through detours, uncertainty, and the decision to choose passion over security.

“Love also lives in the difficult conversations — in staying through the hard parts.”

In our interview, he opens up about these in-between spaces – letting go of expectations, his relationship with his artistry, and why sometimes it takes more strength to stay than to walk away. Alongside the release, a video is on the way, offering another layer to the story and expanding the world of “Cold in California” into something more than the song itself. How far can a feeling travel when it turns into sound and image at once? This might be part of the answer.

photography press courtesy

The song is about a relationship unraveling under pressure, even in a place that’s supposed to feel like a dream – the song reflects how distance, ego, and time can turn even the warmest places into something unrecognizable. How did you come up with this inspiration – is it a personal story you’re telling?

Yes, this is a deeply personal story for me. Going off to college for four years in a new state and a big city was a great undertaking, but it helped me rediscover my passion for music and brought me back home. The inspiration for this song stems from my decision to forego the corporate route and pursue a career in the arts, despite the uncertainty it creates for the future. I would say that the relationship is not necessarily a romantic one, rather the relationship between myself and my artistry. I’ve quickly learned how difficult it is to make it big in the music industry – that there will be ups and downs – and I did my best to reflect that through the song.

Who did you shoot the video with – and did you already have a clear vision for the visuals, or do you like to leave that in the hands of a video director and see what idea they come up with for your sound?

We shot the video with Raw Souls Production. They are an amazing videography and photography team based in Los Angeles. I wanted the real-time creation process to guide the vision, which ultimately benefitted the project. By collaborating with Julián and Amelie and allowing their creativity to breathe in the project, we created a world that “Cold in California” exists in from multiple perspectives, instead of just mine. And the end result is pretty magical.

I love your dance moves in the video. Did you have a choreographer creating the steps for you or is that just your own vibe?

Thank you! I’ve been working with my dance coach on steps, but there was no distinct choreography for this video, more so just trying to feel and embody the music… whatever felt right.

“There will always be ups and downs — the beauty is in staying with it anyway.”

Can you tell us a bit about how you write your songs? Does the melody or the lyrics come first for you, and do you usually work from home or in a studio?

I’ve been fortunate to work with two fantastic producers over the last year and we have a great working process. Typically, we start with the vibe we want for the song and begin building the instrumental around that. From there, melodies form and we’ll finish it with the lyrics. Although, I will note that with “Cold in California” I actually started with the lyrical storytelling before creating the melody.

You often write about love and self-discovery. What is love in your eyes?

If you’re willing to dedicate consistent affection, empathy, and attention to someone or something, that’s love. Being able to step outside of your body, your worldview, and consider that of others. But love is also being comfortable with difficult conversations, going through hardships, and getting through the rollercoaster ride.

And what self-discovery have you experienced about yourself in the last years?

Self-rediscovery perhaps more than self-discovery, but the last few years have reminded me what drives me, and I truly believe that this is my purpose in life. I’ve also learned that I enjoy dancing almost as much as I love to sing and create.

You discovered your passion for music at the age of 6 but only started recording at age 20, why is that? And what path did you take before?

Going into middle school and high school, like most kids, I cared too much about what others thought of me. I think that fear held me back from starting down this path sooner, but it all happens for a reason. I also love sports, so athletics were a major part of my life. I even graduated college with a degree in sports management. But that was the turning point for me: it helped me realize nothing would fulfill me more than getting on a stage and putting on a show for thousands of people someday.

“Finding your sound is really just another way of finding yourself.”

What have been the biggest challenges since you started making music?

The biggest challenge has been trying to identify who I am as an artist, in large part because I am still discovering who I am as a person. We’ve experimented, written, and recorded demos with all different kinds of vibes, bending genres, etc. That process has aided the overall branding as I’ve gone through the journey of discovering my sound.

Is Southern California the place you grew up, and how connected do you feel to your home?

Yes, I am a Southern Californian, born and raised. I feel very connected to my home and I think it shows through the big role it plays in this song. I am so grateful to be back here with my family and friends, I am lucky to have an incredible support system around me. With all that said, California is not always as glamorous as it seems and this song embodies that for me.

What are your goals and wishes for the coming years – as an artist but also as a private person?

As an artist, it has been quite a few years since I have performed for an audience, so one of my goals is definitely to get back on stage. Additionally, to date I’ve been releasing singles and an EP… I would love to get a debut album in the works. As a private person, I just want to keep improving myself, getting stronger each day, both physically and mentally, and prioritizing the things that bring me joy.