We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Max Gruenberg a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Max, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Of course. For Echolocation, the mechanics of producing, mixing, and mastering were self-taught. The learning will never be “completed” and will never stop as long as we are still making music. It’s an ongoing process; that’s why this pursuit is so fun and interesting for us. There is an infinite number of ways that we can improve our production style and techniques and we are always open to learning from the masters as well as our peers.
Max and Michael, tell us about your inspiration.
We take a lot of tips and inspiration from the Tribal/Afro/Jungle of our music from artists such as: Keinemusik (&ME, RAMPA, Adam Port), Black Coffee, Adriatique, Vintage Culture, Simone Glad, Peace Control, AMÉMÉ, Rufus du Sol, Nitefreak, Moojo, Safar, Carlita, WhoMadeWho and many more.
On the other hand the melodic house and techno side of our sound comes from artists like Lane 8, Monolink, Jerro, Mathame, Jody Wisternoff, Cubicolor, Gorgon City, Tinlicker, Ben Bohmer, Kasablanca, Kidnap, Yotto, Afterlife artists, Sultan + Shepard, Le Youth, Cutsnake, Eli & Fur, Ocula, Stephan Jolk, Camelphat, Jeremy Olander, Cassian, Nora En Pure, Paraleven, OCULA, Simon Doty, Spencer Brown, Joseph Ray, Hot Since 82 and many more.
The inspiration from all of these artists can be heard in our songs such as Condor (Ft. Jordan Whitlock), Medicine (Ft. Jordan Whitlock), From the Beginning (Ft. Jordan Whitlock), Down Hill, Miami, Texts Go Green, as well as the songs on the most recent EP “Echoes Vol. I.”
We are grateful to be coming up in a time when we have so many great artists to learn from, perform and create with. We invite any of the artists to reach out to us personally to collaborate on tracks.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Echolocation is a music producing and performance DJ duo. We are currently focusing on afro, tribal, latin, jungle, and minimal sounds. There is also a side of the duo that is in love with melodic house and techno. The group is very young but is already making a distinct sound for itself.
Max Aaron has been mixing in La Jolla for five plus years and is known for his charitable house parties that have hosted the sounds of top artists such as Cutsnake, DJ Susan, Maximo, Thomas Jack, Burko, Deeper Purpose, Return of the Jaded, and many more.
While the house parties host world famous artists, Max Aaron also has made it a point to include local artists from San Diego and Los Angeles. This is where Max met Michael James and offered him an opportunity to play at one of the charity events. After a phenomenal set by Michael in which he played his original track “Para Mi”, Max was curious about the extent of Michael’s production genius.
It took one studio session for both Max and Michael to realize the potential and chemistry that a duo might have and from there, they developed Echolocation.
What does Echolocation mean?
Echolocation has a deeper meaning; Echolocation is an ability: to sense the coordinates of others as sounds rebound or reverberate. As producers, this name fits perfectly; we as musicians put forth our sound and thereby sense the presence of others as a reflection.
The understanding of our surroundings through sound situates us– we gain balance, perspective, and awareness. When listeners react to our sound, we engage them and ourselves as creators.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The creation of a moment of unity during a performance is the most rewarding aspect of this pursuit. Money is well and good but the passion for Echolocation is in the creation of unity. The peak moments where a listener or an entire crowd can become aligned with the producing artist, that moment of trust and letting go is the most special “reward” that we as artists can be so fortunate to receive.
The trust by our listeners to guide them is something Echolocation will never take for granted.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
The irreplaceable value of your support. The value of your voices, your cheers, and your presence on the dance floor. Non-creatives might never understand the irreplaceable value they bring simply by grooving from the heart and dancing with passion. We can’t thank you enough.
There is no Echolocation without our listeners.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/echolocationofc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5bcbeecd-bd85-4d1f-8b9a-fd9316d95802
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max___aaron/
- Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/echolocation/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Echolocationofc