Sudbury rapper, producer and DJ Max Moon (a.k.a. Max Merrifield) releases his debut solo record, The Grand Howl, on Sept. 26 via veteran Canadian hip-hop label Hand’Solo Records. The record demonstrates a completely different side to his sound, said a press release.
He approaches the art form in a way that reflects his northern roots, his diverse influences, and his desire to make music with a unique impact.
“Though often abstract, there is a weight of imagery to Max Moon’s raps — one that leaves the listener curious for more,” the press release said.
Merrifield undertakes much of his own production on the record, except for a song (“Little Do They Know”) with Juno nominated producer Fresh Kils, and one with Ukrainian producer Smuff Tha Quiz.
Approaching the music like some kind of bizarre bard, he blends barstool poetry and raw rap sensibility. Instead of trying to insert himself into someone else’s domain, Max Moon welcomes you into his strange new world.
Max Moon delivers another fresh and captivating take with “DEAD END$”, the third single from The Grand Howl. The single/remix is now available on streaming, with a free DJ pack available at the HandSolo Records Bandcamp page.
For this raw and moody self-produced joint, Moon taps in Philly/New York duo ShrapKnel, made up of Curly Castro and PremRock.
On billy woods’ vanguard label Backwoodz Studioz, ShrapKnel has become venerated for their distinctive approach to lyricism and unorthodox production choices. The team-up is an instant fit.
The result is an alluring, driving, stream-of-consciousness cypher, intersecting human relationships, culture and perception.
The beat shifts from dark boom bap to loose, distorted breaks, and a blitz of drum and bass flavour supports Castro’s ever-unique, blazing delivery, said a press release.
“I became a big fan of PremRock's singular style and approach through a mutual friend and collaborator, Fresh Kils,” said Max Moon.
“When I discovered his duo ShrapKnel with Curly Castro my mind was blown - Castro's fierce bombardments of cultural references and visceral imagery were an amazing symbiosis with PremRock's bar-room poet rap style. I felt an affinity, at a time where I was trying to figure out where to bring my own musical journey.
“They reminded me to do me - to wield the artform like a tool, rather than be predestined by what came before. All these years later, it's an honour and a thrill to share this collaborative, Max Moon produced song, featuring these masters of their craft.”
The single is accompanied by an esoteric reconstruction of the song with a bold remix by electronic experimentalist Emilio Portal, a past Max Moon collaborator.
“DEAD END$” also receives the visual treatment with an animated lyric video incorporating stop-motion by Max Moon himself.
The first of a set of concert dates has been announced in support of the record: an opening spot alongside veteran Columbus, OH rapper/producer Blueprint at The Real Jerk - Legacy (647 College St.), on October 10 in Toronto.