We had the good fortune of connecting with Max Berlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Max, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Life has been hectic recently, so the quote I’ve resonated the most with is Leonard Bernstein’s: “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.”

For someone as iconic as Lenny to admit that time management can be stressful really struck me with a dose of realism. I also want to achieve great things, but feelings of perfectionism and overwhelming can eat away at me throughout the entire process. In music for film, TV, or multimedia art in general–there are so many elements that have to come together quickly and effectively. Lenny’s quote reminds me that “good” is real, “great” is real, but “perfect” is not.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I write music with a specialty in collaborating with visual media. This includes the traditional stuff–film and TV–but I also have a particular interest in the media that will define my generation, like social media and immersive multimedia performance. This includes everything from 15-second TikToks to entire film scores performed live-to-picture; to me, they are equally deserving of excellent music. On top of this, I always make time for my singer-songwriter passion project, Berlin w/ Strings, which will be releasing new music in 2023!

As I’ve said before, I moved to Los Angeles from Detroit, MI almost entirely on a gut feeling–that it was the place I needed to be, and in that place were the people I needed to create with. I was lucky enough to be thrown into the film music industry early on and it was a masterclass in everything from Star Wars to $35 lunches. Then pandemic hit–and my idea of what I could do with my film scoring and composition skillset blew wide open.

In whatever the project, whatever the medium–I try to bring excellent music and a truly open mind. I tend to gravitate towards collaboration because I enjoy helping to create something larger than myself or my efforts. A pitfall I’ve tried to avoid is when lust for personal glory or fame exceeds the thing itself or the story you’re trying to tell. I think it leads to bad or lazy artistic decisions. Conversely, this is why I’m so thrilled to be scoring You Live In My Spine: everyone on this project feels a connection to Leah’s story and that connection has driven us creatively since June 2022.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh wow! Where to begin… well, first off, Los Angeles is such a perfect city to wake up in with no plans and a feeling for spontaneity. I’m one of those type of people–when I take days off I don’t want an itinerary. Regardless, here’s a few options I guarantee will deliver:

1. Hike Los Leones, look out at the ocean
2. Dune in Atwater Village–best, most delicious, funkiest Mediterranean food
3. Bee Taqueria in Culver City/West Adams–bring a six pack of beer, you may also catch the chef and owner Alex ignite an entire (already butchered) chicken over the campfire. You have to see it to believe it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to one of my collaborators Leah Zeiger, who has opened an entire world for me in the relationship between music and dance. Leah has entrusted me to create and produce a 50-minute score for her new dance piece, You Live In My Spine, which premieres the weekend of January 20th, 2023 at G-Son Studios. This project has been half a year in the making and you won’t want to miss this.

In addition, especially after the holidays, I’m feeling so grateful for my parents–who have always given me unconditional love and support for who I am and what I do. I wouldn’t be talking to you now if it wasn’t for them.

Website: maxberlinmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaxberlin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/max.berlin.7

Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/max.berlin.7

Other: Tickets for You Live In My Spine: bit.ly/ylims

Image Credits
Headshot by Chris Montgomery. Berlin w/ Strings artwork by Vita Kari.

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