A decade after Blackwaters first emerged from Sheffield’s indie underground, Max Tanner is back at Tramlines with a solo project built on cinematic synths, romantic escapism and plenty of reverb.
A lot of Sheffield music fans will remember you from the Blackwaters days. Looking back, what did that band mean to you and what have you taken from that experience into your solo work?
It was the best 10 years ever, being in a band with my best friends. We’re all still really tight and we lived together in Sheffield. It was incredible.
But I think eventually it got to the point where we all kind of wanted to make different music and we all had different passions.
I’ve always been drawn to synthy, reverby, ethereal sounding music, I suppose, and Blackwaters wasn’t really the place for that.
When I’m on stage now, I can still feel David next to me and Ollie and James all around me. It’s kind of weird. People are like, “How are you up there just with a backing track?” and the truth is because I did it for so long with them that it just feels comfortable.
Ten years is a long time to spend in a band. Did it teach you much about the music industry?
Ten years – 2014 to 2024 – and it was incredible.
But we met a lot of fat cat types along the way. Not really big prestigious people, but people who promise you stuff. Basically, I learned to take everything with a pinch of salt and not to get the rose-tinted glasses on when something’s promised to you.
You’ve moved away from Sheffield now. Has that change of scenery affected you creatively?
It’s great, to be honest. I do miss Sheffield a lot, but I grew up in the countryside before I moved there so I appreciate the peace.
I’m by the coast in a little place called Frinton-on-Sea. I love the tranquillity of it here. I work in a theatre, so I’ve got a job that I like whilst keeping up with music. It’s a nice little balance.
As mentioned, you’re returning to Sheffield for Tramlines this summer. What does the festival mean to you?
I’ve always being around Tramlines – either working at it or playing it. Blackwaters played the BBC Introducing Stage in 2019 and that was awesome.
And if not on the stage, you’ll have found me at the event serving hot dogs for Get Wurst. Shout out to Get Wurst, by the way. They do really banging hot dogs.
It’s quite strange seeing your name on the poster as a solo artist, especially because I’m not using an alias or anything. It’s just my name. So it’s weird, but it’s awesome and I’m very proud of myself for it.
I kind of have the Leadmill team to thank for that as well. Ben and Charlie and the Leadmill Presents staff have really supported me with my solo work.
Your cinematic, synth-led sound feels quite different from Blackwaters. Where did that come from?
I remember finding John Maus when I was touring with Blackwaters and I was just like, “What is this?”
It was a certain kind of music that just transcended anything else. I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but that was my experience. I think I’m drawn to music that has a romance, escapism kind of thing.
You’re also playing Shakelines for the Fringe at Tramlines over the same weekend. That has a pretty close connection to your own history, doesn’t it?
Yeah. ‘Jarred Up Generation’ was a song that I wrote in 2014 and then Jarred Up Records was originally just a way to put Blackwaters music out.
Then we started putting shows on under Jarred Up Presents and James, our drummer, just carried it on. It’s awesome – he’s taken it on himself and he’s done amazing things with it.
I kind of get nervous sometimes playing alongside all these sweaty punk bands and then there’s just me with a backing track. But I’ve been invited to play and usually it goes down OK, so I think it’ll be fine.
There’s new music on the way. When’s the release date?
I’ve got a tune coming out on 17 July, another one a couple of months later and then an EP early next year.
So it’s all happening. It’s just that, for the first time, I’ve had to plan ahead with an agent instead of just throwing stuff in the wind.
What’s been the biggest challenge of going solo?
The trickiest thing is probably navigating everything by myself.
I’m not particularly savvy with a couple of bits, so it’s just learning really. With the band, we all had different jobs and different responsibilities.
I wouldn’t say there are any particular cons, really. Maybe the fact I go for a few solo dinner dates by myself when I’m touring, but I quite like my own company. I welcome that.
But every time you get a win, it feels like it’s 10 times as big. Tramlines, touring with John Maus last year, all of these little things make it feel like, “Oh, I got this.”
And then people’s support after shows is incredible. It’s a beautiful thing. It keeps me going.
Maxmillian Tanner plays T’Other Stage Live at Tramlines on Friday 24 July.
