Songwriter Max Lockwood set to make connections with new music, live shows
GRAND RAPIDS — When Max Lockwood plays Traverse City’s The Alluvion on June 9 and Kalamazoo’s Bell’s Brewery on June 15, listeners can expect to hear the Michigan singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s new record, performed by a band of stellar musicians.
Beyond that, the evenings of music will be about connection.
“I just want people to feel love, feel connected and enjoy themselves for a night,” said Lockwood, who released his new studio album, “Diamonds,” in May.
“I want them to feel the camaraderie on stage, and hopefully find some inspiration to feel more in touch with themselves.”
The Alluvion’s director of operations, Matt McCalpin, figures the 170-capacity space on the second level of the Commongrounds Cooperative Building in the NoBo District, at 414 E. Eighth St., is perfect for that kind of interaction.
He said fans coming to see a storytelling artist such as Lockwood can “focus their energy on the performance first and foremost” at The Alluvion, which has been hosting shows this spring in its “preview mode” prior to its completion and official opening.
“We are embracing the listening room culture experience and hope that it's obvious that when you arrive here for a show, that the music, art or community is the main focal point,” he said.
Based in Grand Rapids, Lockwood has long distinguished himself as a go-to multi-instrumentalist and singer, whether performing in Traverse City songbird May Erlewine’s band or fronting his Tom Petty tribute band, The Insiders.
But he’s also a solo artist, with “Diamonds” representing his third full-length studio album since the release of “Outrider” in 2014. Most of the album was recorded in Grand Rapids with engineer and producer Joe Hettinga.
“I have changed a lot in some ways. I think as far as my solo albums go, I’ve almost come full circle in that time. I feel like with this record, the fun thing about it is that the singer-songwriter and rock ‘n’ roll part of me has come together,” he said.
“So, it feels like more of a holistic representation of how I feel about my songwriting and creativity. I’ve also been working with a vocal coach for the first time in my life for the last three years. I was surprised how much more I’m able to express myself vocally. Also, I just learned a lot.
“And I’ve worked with so many different musicians and collaborated on so many different records and live performances over that time. I’ve just matured a lot. I feel more confident and grounded in my playing and ability. And I think that also allows me to have more fun doing it.”
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Band member and longtime musical associate Eric O’Daly said Lockwood “has a vision that he wants to execute. … We’re all part of all the gears that are turning to make the songs happen. And that’s a really nice role. It’s all about the songs themselves. There’s no jockeying for individual creative vision. We’re all serving the song.”
Lockwood joked that he “can’t really help” but keep creating songs and playing music.
“I’ve tried other ways of getting by and eventually made the decision that this is the path for me, and committed myself fully to it. I think for me, to be true to myself and true to how I really felt in my heart about my life and my craft, at some point I realized that meant that being all in and letting this be my north star in everything I do,” he said.
“It also doesn’t hurt that I mostly get to work with all of my favorite people very frequently, and the energy of those connections in the musical space is about as good as anything I’ve experienced in this life.”
— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.