Photos /Â Sylvain Lewis
Story /Â Dexy Valentine
Since eight years of age, French composer and musician Max Sokolinski has played the guitar, bass, and piano. At 23 years of age, Max packed up his life and moved to Los Angeles, pursuing a career in music. There he played live for various artists such as Daniel Johnston as well as his sister, actress, and musician -Soko, whom he still plays guitar for today.Â
It was also there that Max started to compose. Firstly with Mathieu Chedid with whom he wrote several songs for his album âilâ and secondly for himself and his solo project that was yet to come.Â
In 2013 whilst touring across Europe Max decided to base himself in Paris. There that he met Clara Luciani and formed the band Hologram. They soon signed to SONY /ATV and their debut song âAbsolute Zeroâ was played on the BBC in the UK as well as âI donât knowâ which was featured in Jake Hoffmanâs feature film âAsthmaâ.Â
Whilst living in Paris Max met esteemed composer Michael Stevens (Composer for Clint Eastwoodâs films Million Dollar Baby, Grand Torino and Letters from Iwo Jima to name a few) with whom he started working. Max has since scored several short films, campaigns, and documentaries independently.Â
In 2016 he met the iconic French singer Christophe and after working with him on his most recent album âLes vestiges du chaosâ Max went on to play guitar live for him.Â
Presently Max has completed his first solo album entitled âBefore the rain stopsâ.Â
The album was written as a journey of self-discovery as he experiences the first heartbreak. The songs transverses through all of the stages from sorrow and nostalgia to eventual acceptance and healing. He recorded and mixed the album in his bedroom between Los Angeles and Paris, playing most instruments himself, and with the intention to create something dreamy and cinematic yet raw and personal.Â
Melodic and heart felt Max’s songs are the opening track most indie films dream of having.
âCare for meâ is based on a bossa nova rhythm, I wanted to make my own version of “girl from Ipanema”, a happy song about unrequited love. It had a cheerful feel yet it’s bitter sweet, that’s how I like it to be: nothing is ever black or white… I made the video from old images from the 70’s, that once were shot as “adult entertainment”. I love the vibrant Colors and how offbeat those girls are, it was a great match for this song that is not meant to be too serious nor too sad!” It is part of my first solo album “before the rain stops” that will be out in November.”