Fresh off the back of a "bloody special" single launch, MAXON's latest track History is making a name for itself. A pop rock anthem focussed on the dreaded, but often inevitable, cycle of grief. MAXON is the first to admit that her own songs can sometimes delve into only the healing, but History is as raw as they come. Born from a place of frustration, it's a headfirst diave into the hurt while also acting as a "first step...towards bravery and self-acceptance".
Available worldwide, the music video is a well honed visual accompaniment to the track. "I wanted the clip to mirror the song - keeping it raw, dark and brooding." As both a stand alone song, and as a music video, History is reminder to everyone that removing the burden of self-inflicted doubt is the best thing you can do. MAXON herself, and through History, is proof of this.
The diary entry feel of this track seems quite deliberate, how do you find the balance between personal and being relatable to an audience?
I don't really think about it to be honest. I write mostly from life experience and often when I'm pissed off or sad about something or someone. I suppose that's not the right answer. I guess I do feel like any story you're going to share will relate to someone somewhere in some way.
History is a powerful track but the emotions are obvious, too, is writing a song like this easier during the time it's happening or later with the addition of hindsight?
Ah I love this. It's different for me every time. I've written so many songs post history that reflect more on the healing rather than the hurt. Sometimes, it could be too soon to write about something and other times, like History, I was totally fed up with trying to help and understand the situation that it all just fell out then and there.
Now that it's out, how has the reaction been?
Good, I think. People have been really kind and generous to give the track [a] listen. I guess it's still early days so time will tell.
Is it more difficult to release a track so personal or are the emotions before a release similar no matter the track?
I'm always a nervous wreck with any song release. Your work is really like your children. I suppose it'd be a similar feeling when your child turns eighteen and enters the real world with high expectations. You develop this real fear of the unknown and it's hard not to put pressure on yourself to do well.
Why did you feel now was the right time to share History?
I've been sitting on this song for a while now, [I was] shit scared of releasing such a personal story and not knowing how to talk about it. I'm still struggling because I don't think it's okay to reveal the subject of your songs. It's a bit unfair and I would never want to shine a bad light on anyone. I think with this, I just wanted [to] express myself and a little of my history within the song itself.
The music video is so simplistic, why did you opt to do something so pared back?
Money. I also wanted to do something that felt raw and honest, just like the track. I think I'm at a point with everything where I just want to keep it really stripped back, real and simple. That could change for the next one. Some days I feel like getting my glitter on and other days I feel like sitting by a camp fire, having a beer and chilling the fuck out.
