Maxwell Getz, known by his stage name Dead Motel, is a producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Pennsylvania. With a lifelong love for music, Dead Motel combines ambience, nostalgia, and melodic hooks to create a unique brand of emotional dance/electronic music. Max’s personal journey, marked by the loss of his father and struggles with substance abuse, serves as the foundation for his introspective and vulnerable musical creations. Through the vehicle of Dead Motel, Max crafts deeply personal songs with the aim of fostering connection and healing.
In his latest single, “Flowers in the Corner,” Max delves into his experience with grief through a haunting refrain. The song captures the poignant moment when Max visited his father’s grave for the first time in years. Unaware of the Jewish custom of placing stones rather than flowers, Max’s simple mistake carried a weighty significance. He describes the discarded flowers as a metaphor for grief, silently present in the corner of a room, a powerful yet unacknowledged force. Max’s raw expression of vulnerability resonates with listeners, inviting them to explore their own emotions and experiences.
Max’s musical journey began at the age of 14 when he discovered the Fruity Loops demo and started creating beats. Captivated by the limitless possibilities of computer-based music production, Max incorporated electronic elements into the songs of his former metal band, One Year Later. After three years of touring and signing with indie label CI Records, Max’s passion for making beats and dance tracks took center stage. Drawing inspiration from various musical eras, modern producers, and his everyday life, Max’s signature sound emerges from warping, stretching, and sampling his own voice. The fusion of enigmatic sounds with basic waveforms creates a mesmerizing and magical sonic experience.
To achieve the nostalgic and dreamy sound of Dead Motel, Max utilizes a diverse array of instruments and software, including vintage synths, guitars, and samples. He embraces the element of chance, allowing accidental discoveries to shape his creative process and evoke excitement. Max’s expertise extends beyond his own music, as he is an accomplished mixing engineer, deftly weaving together disparate elements to achieve a cohesive and captivating sound.
Central to Dead Motel’s artistry is the theme of healing and mental health. Max’s personal journey through rehab and therapy has emphasized the paramount importance of mental well-being. Music serves as an outlet for Max to be authentically honest, vulnerable, and confront the shadows within himself, leading to necessary healing. Through his music, Max aims to inspire others to prioritize their own mental health and find solace in artistic expression.
With 16 singles and one EP already released under the Dead Motel moniker, Max is showing no signs of slowing down. Currently, he is engrossed in writing his debut full-length album and collaborating with other artists as a producer. Max’s insatiable appetite for growth and self-discovery fuels his dedication to deepening his craft and understanding himself through his art.
As an artist, Dead Motel invites listeners on a transformative journey of self-reflection and emotional exploration. With his candid lyrics, ethereal soundscapes, and unwavering commitment to authenticity, Max Getz’s Dead Motel project stands as a testament to the power of vulnerability and the profound impact of music on mental health.
Learn more about Dead Motel by following him on Instagram. You can also check out his music on Spotify.
