Exclusive Maxwell Interview

Maxwell took over the music world when he first debuted eight years ago. Then, he disappeared. Almost a decade later, Maxwell returned with the three-album series Blacksummers' Night. Millions of sales and two Grammy Awards later, it is safe to say Maxwell now has the luxury of making his own timeline.

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Maxwell live

Maxwell's music: Levels of live

SheKnows: And it is, it's resonating on so many levels. One thing that I have just been struck with is your performances on some of these television awards shows and things. I'm just curious because it's just so powerful to hear you sing on television, but yet, for you as a performer, used to performing live, you obviously had a live audience there. Do you do anything different with that awareness that there's a camera there and millions also enjoying you, like me (laughs)?

Maxwell: Well, I'm always nervous, you know. I'm always like don't fall, or don't forget this word -- don't forget it, you wrote it -- that kind of thing. Don't look in the audience too much, because that could be like your greatest hero sitting right there looking at you. You look out and you see Smokey Robinson and people you look up to, and you can't help but think to yourself, "Damn, who do I think I am to even give this a go". But you go out there and you gotta be able to step out there and do your best and let the chips fall where they may – hopefully not you on the stage! I tell you, in this world of YouTube and where things are eternal-eternal, it definitely raises the stakes because you always wonder how eternal the stakes are. I don't know why I approach with this pessimism sometimes, but I guess it's what keeps me on my game with it. I'm glad people are cool with it.

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Comments on "Maxwell muses: Inside his music"

SpringFlowers07 March 13, 2010 | 9:52 PM

"It amazes me. I can't say that even after all this, I even know what the reasons are, what the formula is. I don't know what the magic button is. I'm just glad that, somehow, the song pushed it in many people, and here we are, I get to keep making music. It's a great feeling, you know?" Oh weee...just love his humility!!!! Enough said!! Enjoyed the entire interview..thanks for sharing.

justmemuchlove March 12, 2010 | 8:09 AM

"..When you're trying to work on a song, you know, it's the boss. I think I've learned that each song that's ever been written is better written when you take its lead. That comes better and easier at times than others. The best thing is to just really come from the heart and have a little faith that it will go where it tells you and that it works out.." I like that. Instructive words. Love Max..

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