Chapter 6: A New Bio

Posted by admin on March 9th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

I’ve never been good at writing bio’s for myself.  I always feel slightly ridiculous doing them and never really know what to say or what’s relevent.  As part of this “real-time story” I am telling, my PR company had a pro bio writer come in and do a 45 min interview with me.  This is the bio that he drafted.  Thoughts anybody?

“Like the rest of life, music shouldn’t make you feel like you’re just punching the clock or spinning your wheels. It should be a journey. One in which the artist weaves together his or her experiences into impeccably performed songs that not only appeal to the ear with strong hooks and addictive melodies, but also resonate deeply on an emotional level. Tunes that have the power to directly move the listener to their very core, and perhaps even serve as reassuring beacons during difficult times. Such a skill is, of course, a rare gift for any artist, and one that takes most of them decades to attain, if at all. And yet it’s a skill that Zach Maxwell, still only in his mid twenties, already has—in abundance.

“I write songs to tell stories, about life, about humans and how interesting and unique they are,” says Zach, whose powerful, soul-infused, near four-octave voice and virtuosic guitar playing make his narratives impossible to ignore. “What moves people, and has always moved people, are good songs and good stories.”

Eight of those exceptionally moving story-songs make up Silent Bear, Zach’s newest release. There’s the fragile, acoustic “Unknown Roads,” a motivational reminder of the fleeting impermanence of life, and “All Over This Land,” an uplifting—but non-religious—gospel-toned celebration. And then there’s “Big Bear,” a playful, image-rich romp that the songwriter created as a humorous but sincere expression of pure, unbounded joy. His sophomore effort, the collection is a striking distillation of Zach’s mature and exquisitely crafted style, a sound that sets his woody, resonant baritone against a warm relief of modern folk guitar and contemporary pop rock.

“I started playing piano when I was three, but I didn’t become a professional singer until I was twenty-one,” says Zach, who was born and raised in New York City and began playing guitar in high school. The son of a Broadway producer, he grew up in a Fellini-esque setting of flamboyant theater folk, privileged Upper East Side well-to-dos, and colorful East Village alternative types—personalities that would do much to shape his own. He got a taste of the world beyond Gotham, however, when he attended Vermont’s Middlebury College, where he majored in composition, penning a piece that was performed by the prestigious Meridian Arts Ensemble, and performing for President Bill Clinton at his graduation. While at college, he began singing in an a capella group mentored by Grammy winner Francois Clemmons.

Zach made his first CD, On The Day I Leave The Battlefield, with acclaimed drummer Steven Wolf (Annie Lennox, Rufus Wainwright), appeared with a gospel choir on NBC’s “The Today Show,” toured Canada and played on Canadian TV, put together a kickin’ live band, and was even elected into the esteemed New York Songwriters Circle. But somehow things still weren’t quite right.

And so in the fall of 2008 he split for Colorado, where he lived the life of a ski bum, enjoying nature, gathering his thoughts, and going deep into soul-searching self-examination. When he returned to New York the following year, he was fully energized, hitting the city’s bars and clubs with a vengeance as a solo acoustic act and releasing Silent Bear to glowing accolades. What might’ve been career suicide for many artists for Zach was an enriching detour in his ever-unfolding creative quest.

“My music is a real-time story,” Zach says. “I want to give people a spiritual experience, one of cleansing awe. Writing great songs is my personal challenge to myself.” A challenge lovers of profound, heartfelt music and great, emotive singing will enjoy taking again and again.”

Stay tuned…

Chapter 1: How I’m Going to Make It: Anything Can Be Accomplished In Life With 3 Things

Posted by admin on February 19th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

This is the first chapter of a story that both you (the readers) and I (the author) will have the pleasure of seeing and helping unfold in real time. Here is the basis of the story:

I believe that ANYTHING can be accomplished in life with three things:

1) A vision: my definition of vision is a clear, burning, and unbridled desire manifested in the form of a dream, or a want to become or create something in life. This could be becoming a doctor, a father, the president of the United States, a teacher…whatever.

2) An unwavering belief in oneself. This is self-explanatory

3) A shit load of hard work. Again, self-explanatory

This story begins with me, Zach Maxwell, who has had the vision of being a world-renowned singer, songwriter, performing artist, guitar player and motivational speaker since I was a young lad.

Why is this my vision? Because I believe that I have something to offer people, and that I have something to say. I believe that my soul is here to express my unique flavor of joy, passion, connection to God, the Universe, whatever you want to call it for the sake of helping others experience something greater for themselves as well. Call this arrogance, call it self-confidence, call it what you like. I call it my vision and it’s unwavering.

For the past ten years I have spent thousands of hours, at times, regularly practicing my instruments alone over 8 hours a day; refining, focusing, living and breathing my craft 24/7  to get to a point where I feel I am remarkable enough to offer something of value to people. I will continue to consistently practice my ass off and get better as this story unfolds.

For the past year also, I have been reading a lot on how the music business has changed, and how independent artists have a chance to “make it” in ways that they never could before with a lot of hard work and the technological resources available to us that weren’t available even 5 years ago. I am going to prove it.

Not only am I going to prove it, I’m going to use this blog to transparently share the steps I’m taking, as I’m taking them for all the world to see. This will be my “story.”

Just so we’re clear on what my vision is: My definition of “making it” is becoming world renown. Not being on the cover of People Magazine, not being a tabloid “celebrity,” but being a “world renown” artist…known for making a difference for people with my music and message. Right now I have about 10 fans. A few people, if any are reading this first post. At the end of this story I will prove to millions of people that with a burning desire and vision, a firm and unwavering belief in yourself, and the willingness and integrity to work your fucking ass off for your dreams, ANYTHING is possible. How long it will take? A year, 2 years, 10 years…who knows?

Stay tuned as the story unfolds.

And if you would like to help make this story happen, feel free to comment, share and spread this post to anybody and everybody that you feel would be interested.