How’d you guys first get together to play music?
We’d both been musicians in the bay area music scene for years. We played together on a bunch of recording sessions over those years. I was such a big fan of Lesley, and as a producer would hire her to sing on my projects whenever possible. About a year and a half ago I realized that I really wanted to be making new original music with her. So I proposed the idea to her, probably made all kinds of promises, maybe sweet talked, definitely bribed…and she agreed!
How’d you come up with the name of the band?
Our studio is in the Maxwell Park neighborhood of Oakland. And Max Park sounds like a gender-neutral underground vigilante superhero, which is cool. At the time we didn’t realize that Max Park is also the name of one of the world’s’ top Rubik’s cube solver.
How would you describe your sound?
Ooooh that’s a tough one! It depends on what song you’re listening to. We came up with Electro-Soul. And Alt-R&B. Though that still doesn’t quite cover the scope of our music. Because our backgrounds are so different, and our collective influences so vast, we have a large musical world to explore. In upcoming releases, you’ll hear elements of R&B, funk, rock, pop, gospel, classical, middle eastern, and much much more! (said in an infomercial voice)
When did you first become interested in playing music?
Tal: Sometime between the Hadron epoch and the Lepton Epoch. Probably closer to the Lepton Epoch, to be honest.
Lesley: The first time I heard my family singing together; I was two years old. I realized this was a “thing” for us, that music was our thing.
What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you at a show?
The strangest thing would have to be that one time when we decided not to play any live shows. (Until our fans demand it)
What are you listening to these days?
Meshell Ndegeocello – Ventriloquism
Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet – Ladilikan
Lionel Richie – Tuskegee
The War On Drugs – A Deeper Understanding
Black Panther soundtrack
Ronkat Spearman
Solange – A Seat at the Table
Sza – Ctrl
Fruition
Kendrick Lamar
Sade
Sia
What’s your take on why so many musicians are leaving San Francisco for Oakland?
Tal: We are those musicians! The cost of living in SF is out of control. Oakland is not too far behind at this point. It’s part of a much larger crisis happening in the bay area that urgently needs to be addressed. The economic inequality is astonishing and growing.
Lesley: I’m glad I made the move, I experienced the SF side of the Bay for 13 years, so now I’m enjoying the warm weather and chill atmosphere.
What does music mean to you?
Music means communication that transcends words. Music means exploration, internal and external. Music means exploiting our thoughts and emotions, but for a good cause. Music means making sense of a chaotic world. Music means inducing chills, tears, and ass-shaking. Music is the healer, no matter the ailment, it’s the cure! Music means…wait for it…LIFE!
What are some of your favorites hangs in the Bay Area and why?
For food…
Tal: Reem’s, Grand Lake Tavern, Sobo Ramen, Tay Ho, Wally’s (Lebanese), Mau, my house.
Lesley: Xolo, Kansai, JJ Fish, Cactus Taqueria, Analog, Tal’s house! Lol
For drinks…
Tal: my house, Mad Oak. Mostly my house.
Lesley: Bay Area Grape, my house.
For outdoors…
Tal: Lake Merritt, Mountain View Cemetery, Marin Headlands, my backyard
Lesley: Lands End is my favorite hike, I also love Tomales Bay and Stinson Beach
What’s one thing that people would be surprised to find out about you guys?
I think people would be surprised at how the contrast between our personal characteristics makes such an effortless melding of musical ideas and interpretations to pull from. Opposites don’t always attract. But when they do, the synergy is undeniable!
Middle Eastern-New Yorker White Atheist Male <=> Georgian Black Indigenous Spiritualist Female.
Makes for quite a spin on our current social landscape through the artful expression of MUSIC!
When you hear our music you are immediately taken to a visual musical landscape that’s being colorfully created by all the sounds you hear. It’s like another world playing along with the audio. The images your conscious creates from what you hear is what we hope will challenge and inspire the listener.
Make sure to pick up Max Park’s latest release Blue Morning available at digital retailers everywhere. Preview it HERE.
