14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHMAX KILIAN

Despite being a new kid on the block, Max Kilian has already turned the heads of heavyweights like Mau P, The Martinez Brothers, Josh Baker, and East End Dubs with his sleek, minimal-leaning house flavours. Recent appearances at E1 London, Pacha Barcelona, and Dutch events such as Free Your Mind and Loveland, have firmly positioned him as one to watch. Now, Kilian marks a major milestone with his first full EP, landing on Repopulate Mars with a three-track package that explores stripped-back, late-night club territory.

Q: Please introduce yourself

My name is Max. I’m a DJ and producer from the small city of Hilversum. I make techy house music, groove first, with vocals that are a bit on the bold side. I’ve found a sound that feels like me, and I’m mainly focused on getting better at that and translating it properly to clubs. I also dropped my first EP on Repopulate Mars, which was a big milestone for me. 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

Michael Bibi. He’s an incredible DJ, but more than that, he’s been through a lot, so I feel like he has a broader perspective on life than I do. I’d want to hear what he thinks people my age overthink and what actually matters if you’re trying to do this long term. His mindset and love for the craft are hard not to respect. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Time travel. There are a lot of moments I’d like to revisit, with family, with friends, and around music. One example is one of my first international booking weekends in Scotland and Bulgaria, where my best mate came with me and everything felt new. Being able to relive moments like that would be pretty special.

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

I’d choose Avatar. It’s one of my favorite films, and the atmosphere of that world, the mix of jungle environments and futuristic elements is really interesting. Building music around that kind of setting would be all about capturing mood and space.

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?

Beltran is a big influence, mainly because of the way he processes and uses sounds. His attention to detail connects with how I like to work in the studio.

And then there’s Carl Cox. He represents longevity and pure passion for house music. Seeing someone stay relevant for so long while still enjoying every set is motivating.

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

I picked up guitar when I was seven, and after a year I wanted to experiment beyond just playing songs. I bought a small speaker with a looping function and a mic and started looping beatbox rhythms and layering guitar melodies. That was basically my first production setup.

Around ten, I discovered DJs playing big festivals online and got obsessed with how electronic music was made. I downloaded a simple DAW and started making beats and melodies. By fifteen, I was playing my first local gigs in bars and small clubs.

After high school, I went to the Herman Brood Academy. In my second year, I released my first official music. At the time, my sound was more futuristic and electronic, which led to a number of releases and shows, including abroad.

After a few years, I felt the need to focus and find a sound I wanted to stick with for the rest of my career. I spent about two years mostly in the studio, without any releases or shows, just working. That’s when I landed on a more minimal, tech-driven direction that feels natural to me. Over the past year, I’ve been bringing that sound back to clubs.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting out their career in music?

Don’t overplan, just start doing things. Make music, release it, send it out, play shows, talk to people. Waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan usually just slows you down. Finishing things and putting them into the world is how you actually improve.

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

A B2B with AAT at Skyfall in Barcelona. It’s one of my best friends, and it was the first time we played together in a setting like that, high above the city with a full view over Barcelona. It was during Off Week, and we were playing alongside great artists like Prunk and Gaskin.

We had an afterparty slot around 7:00 am, right at sunrise. It was funny because there were still people coming straight from the night, while others were just waking up and arriving fresh for the morning.

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

It moved from more futuristic and electronic toward something more minimal and techy. The drums became more stripped back, snappier, and more rolling, and I leaned more into edgy vocals. The goal stayed the same, making club music, just cleaner and closer to what feels natural to me.

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

Probably pop or hip-hop. I like writing and experimenting with vocals in the studio, and those genres leave a lot of room for storytelling and personality.

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

Liquid Spirit (Claptone Remix) was one of the first house tracks I really connected with. It got played a lot at home and helped me understand how important groove is.

Hanging Tree by Michael Bibi stood out because of its atmosphere and drums. It pushed me more toward the underground side of dance music.

And Pump Up the Jam is just timeless. It still works everywhere and instantly connects with people.

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

The Port of Rotterdam. Its industrial setting already matches underground electronic music. Hidden stages inside containers and different sound systems spread across the docks would create a strong atmosphere.

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

I just released my first EP, and I have a lot of new music lined up for the coming year. There are several festival debuts ahead with strong lineups and artists I respect.

It’s also funny that I’ll be returning to some festivals I played years ago with my old sound, but now on different stages with my new direction. I’m looking forward to experiencing new places.

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

Behind the scenes, I work on a lot of music that isn’t always for my own artist project. I produce across genres like hip-hop, drum & bass, pop, and atmospheric music, often for other artists and different projects. It gives me space to explore different sides of production and keeps things varied creatively.