Getting To Know… Maxinne

Getting To Know… Maxinne

f: Hi Maxinne, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today. How are you?

Maxinne: Hey, you too! Thanks for having me, I’m good, thank you.

f: Please tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and how you started making dance music?

Maxinne: from the south coast of England, and grew up in a small village near Brighton. Music was always a big part of my life from a young age in my household. The first genres I got into were House, Garage, and Hip-Hop. When I moved to London for university, that’s when I really started DJ’ing and producing music. It began purely out of my love for music, but the curiosity to explore it more deeply just kept growing until I decided to commit to it full-time.

f: Who did you listen to growing up and do they influence your music career at all today?

Maxinne: My early influences were Hip-Hop and Garage, which still heavily inspire the music I make today. Growing up, there’s a few stand out albums which I had on constant repeat — Dr. Dre, Craig David, Alicia Keys, and those classic Ministry of Sound compilations.

f: How would you describe your sound?

Maxinne: My sound is driven by energy and groove — crisp, punchy drums layered with soulful melodies and textures.

f: What was one of your first release?

Maxinne: My first EP release was Dusk Till Dawn on Knee Deep In Sound in 2019. I sent the tracks to Hot Since 82 without expecting much of a response, and I remember watching a live DJ Mag stream of him at Coda in Toronto and then Ultra Miami — and hearing my tracks being mixed in. I was absolutely buzzing! Avision and Darius Syrossian also remixed two of the tracks on the EP, and it went on to get loads of support.

f: Which of your own tracks was the biggest labour of love to create / personal favourite?

Maxinne: My album Red Alert was definitely a labour of love. I wanted to tell a story with it and really showcase who I am as an artist through that body of work. I never actually planned to make an album so early in my career, but I felt like I had more to give to my audience. I was in such a creative space at the time, making loads of music and then Covid hit, which gave me even more time to dive deeper into it. The timing ended up being perfect, and when it was finally released, it connected with a lot of people, which meant a lot to me, and I went on my first US tour with the album.

f: And your most successful release?

Maxinne: I don’t really measure success by numbers on a screen, not by Spotify plays or social media stats. For me, success is when a track connects on a deeper level with me, other DJs, and my audience and still feels fresh when I listen back to it. One that really stands out is “What We Do” featuring Cami Jones. The track came together really organically, without any expectations of how it would turn out. Cami and I have known each other for years, so writing and creating it was just pure fun — and seeing it released and resonate with people made it even more special.

f: You’ve just returned to Yousef’s Circus Recordings with your new release, ‘Come Closer’ EP, what we can expect to hear?

Maxinne: Both tracks bring something unique and different, which is something I always aim for when putting together an EP. I don’t like staying in one box — I always stay true to the foundations of what I love in a track: a driving bassline, punchy percussion, and catchy vocals — but stylistically, I like to explore and push things a bit further. That approach also works well in my sets because it allows me to build a journey that keeps evolving and doesn’t sound the same all the way through. But within my productions, you’ll always hear the identity and groove that define ‘Maxinne’. Come Closer has a deeper vibe — the bassline is inspired by acid house, layered with a topline synth and Aleya’s catchy vocals throughout. Higher, on the other hand, brings in Garage influences with Lumi’s vocals really elevating the track.

f: Are you pleased with the results?

Maxinne: I’m really proud of this EP. it feels like a true reflection of where I am right now as an artist. I’ve put a lot of energy into it, and I’m so excited for everyone to finally hear it.

f: Please tell us a little more about Aleya Mae and LUMI who feature on the EP?

Maxinne: They’re both artists I really respect in the industry. Aleya has been releasing some incredible music recently, and I actually discovered her this year. Her vocal style fits perfectly with my sound and was exactly what I wanted for the A-side of the EP. Lumi is a DJ, producer, and vocalist, and I love her style — it’s sultry, sassy, and made for big-room energy. Both of them brought something really special to each track.

f: You’ve also recently launched your own Red Alert label, how’s that all going so far?

Maxinne: It’s going really well. Every release so far is something I’m really proud of. We’ve got a release coming soon from myself and after that from Jordano Roosevelt — he’s a producer I’ve rated for many years and really represents the sound of the label. I love listening to demos that come through and spending time A&R’ing tracks to bring out the best in them. I’ve discovered some incredible producers through running the label, and it’s amazing to be able to give them a platform as well.

f: And what are the plans for the label moving forwards?

Maxinne: Next year we have lots of releases lined up, and we’ll also be launching events, so it’s an exciting time.

f: What’s your favourite piece of studio kit?

Maxinne: It changes, but I love using the FabFilter and Soundtoys plugins. For basslines, I’m really into Serum right now, and I also love working with Moog.

f: What’s been your favourite gig so far this year and where are you most looking forward to performing soon?

Maxinne: Making my debut for Circus was incredible. I opened up at Blackstone Street Warehouse, and I loved building the energy and setting the tone for the day. I’ve wanted to play for Circus for years, and it was everything I expected and more. Next weekend, I’m playing at Wicked Oaks Festival in Dallas alongside Sosa, Luuk Van Dijk, Mahony, and more, which is going to be sick — and then again for Circus in December, I can’t wait.

f: Looking back, what precious music career advice would you give to your younger self?

Maxinne: I’d say just go for it and put yourself out there, because that’s when things really start to happen. Always trust the process and keep putting in the work, but most importantly, follow what you love. You can’t do something you don’t enjoy — it won’t last. Focus on the things that genuinely make you excited to wake up every day and give your best.

f: Which dance track holds the most precious memories for you?

Maxinne: The Nic Fanciulli remix of Sub-An-This Place is one for me. When I first started DJ’ing around East London in small-cap venues, this track would go off every time. Another one is Dennis Ferrer’s Sights — both tracks have incredible vocals and basslines that just stick with you.

f: Who are your top 3 current producers?

Maxinne: Ammo Avenue, Jordano Roosevelt and Max Mash.

f: What else are you working on at the moment that you can tell us about?

Maxinne: Music-wise, there’s lots of exciting things in the works that I’ll be revealing soon — releases, shows, and more. Outside of music, I’ve been really focused on my fitness and health — feeling good on the inside helps me be the best version of myself creatively, and it’s something I’ll always strive for.

Maxinne ‘Come Closer’ EP is out now on Circus Recordings.