When it comes to a hit track, it is fair to say that many are years in the making. And, this is most definitely the case with Max Barskih’s “Just Fly”. A joyous cut that has been forever-evolving for over 6 years, Barskih hopes to get his listeners in the mood to travel with acapella-esque backing and triumphant sounds layered over the artist’s sweet tone, all of which allow for the track’s sky-bound lyricism to prevail in an inspiration-invoking manner.

“I wrote this song in 2014. A big airline company approached me for a soundtrack. Our collaboration failed and the song went to the ‘Unreleased’ folder. 7 years later, another airline was looking for a song to represent them. I returned to work on ‘Just Fly’, breathed new life into it, recorded talented musicians in the studio and here we are. An interesting fact is that this song changed my musical direction. I cancelled the release of the previously recorded album and started to write a new one,” explains Max.

Now, ahead of the release of his new album and following on from the success of “Just Fly”, the artist talks his positive new sound and what the future holds for him. Head below to enjoy our interview with Max Barskih…

Hey Max! How are you? How has this past year been for you?
I’m pretty amazing, thank you. I’ve been very productive, returned to the tour, started working on a new album, finished several paintings, working on a new collection of my clothing line NICK VANGARD, I even had time to rest a little.

With everything that happened last year was your creativity affected?
Not at all. I had more time to create, share moments with my friends and family, travel to inspiring places. The themes of the stories in my songs have changed their meaning. During the quarantine, I managed to rethink my life. My values became different, I stopped rushing, learned to be in the moment, and enjoy the world around me.

How did you first get into music? What sparked the interest?
As a teenager, I studied art, but I was always passionate about music. When I was 12 I bought a CD with music production software with my pocket money and started painting with sounds. At 13, I wrote my first song. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a musical education but I always heard the song in my head before I started writing it. Growing up, I loved watching live concerts of my favourite artists and picturing myself on stage. I guess that’s how I understood what I want to do in life.

You’re from Ukraine, how do you think being from here impacted your sound?
Being in constant travels, I realised that I belong to the world. People are different only in culture, but inside we are all alike. We all want to love and be loved. Feelings are what impact my sound.

You’ve recently dropped your new single “Just Fly”, talk us through your production process?
I wrote this song in 2014. A big airline company approached me for a soundtrack. Our collaboration failed and the song went to the “Unreleased” folder. 7 years later, another airline was looking for a song to represent them. I returned to work on “Just Fly”, breathed new life into it, recorded talented musicians in the studio and here we are. An interesting fact is that this song changed my musical direction. I cancelled the release of the previously recorded album and started to write a new one.

What was your mindset going into the single?
At some point, I realised that I want a bright and happy emotion in my music. I often wrote songs about pain, breakups, and heartbreaks. But, how can you be happy in your life or in your relationships if you sing about sadness? So I decided to give myself a soundtrack of happiness, some sort of positive mantra.

What do you want people to take away from your sound?
Only high vibrations.

I’d love to make people smile. Fix their mood if it’s necessary. Believe in their best future.

Who are your inspirations?
I get inspiration from everything I see, hear, or feel. Right now, I’m listening to artists and musicians of the 50s and 60s era. Times when pure love stories were told in songs. This music turns my surroundings into a romantic movie for me.

What’s next for you? What are you most excited about?
I’m most excited about my new album. Such a big experiment and a challenge for me. I’ve got a huge inspiration wave last July, I wrote 12 songs, all the melodies and harmonies are totally different from what I’ve done before and I can’t wait to share it with the world.