Push Admin

EXCLUSIVE: Danish Singer Maximillian Talks About Writing Music That Helps People

The “Beautiful Scars” hitmaker, who was in Manila for a 2-day event, shares how working on music themes about growing up and self-love is a healing journey for both

Article (news)

Mariel Abanes

<p>It’s when we hear a music so good and relatable that we find ourselves becoming more honest with ourselves. And by going deeper into the lyrics of such songs do we relate and—hopefully—find healing that will help us get through another day and live a happier life.</p><div><br/></div><p>This is one of Danish singer <strong>Maximillian</strong>’s goals. “I wanna write music that helps people,” the “<strong>Beautiful Scars</strong>” hitmaker tells <strong>Metro.Style</strong>. Concluding a two-day showcase in the Philippines (his first visit in the country!) last July 22 in Eastwood Mall and July 23 in Venice Grand Canal Mall, he was here not just to offer a great performance—he’s also extending inspiration to all his listeners and fans.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgUOJn-JjPe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgUOJn-JjPe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div> <div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top:8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"><br/></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CgUOJn-JjPe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by MAXIMILLIAN (@maximillianirl)</a></div></div></blockquote> </div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6fed44cf-5b99-495a-9f78-a6a284b7146f_210201_maximillian_jb_neutral_01_2899_v2 resized.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Maximillian exclusive interview with MetroStyle"/></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/metro-chats-with-paolo-sandejas/33327" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Conversation With Singer-Songwriter Paolo Sandejas</a></div><div><br/></div><p>In the midst of a pandemic, many Filipinos have found a safe haven in the track “Beautiful Scars.” Maximilian, admittedly, took all the courage he had to release this relatable single. “It was the scariest, it was a big step,” he opens up. “In the beginning, I didn&#x27;t feel comfortable talking about it. It was kind of a leap of faith—hoping someone would catch me.”</p><div><br/></div><p>He adds, “When I was 13 or 14, I wanted to change my way of thinking and behaving and finally grow up and become mature. And that&#x27;s what &#x27;Beautiful Scars&#x27; is all about. Even though I know that I was once a badly behaved kid, that shaped me into becoming who I wanted to be. I wouldn&#x27;t change it, never, because it made me into who I am today. I was excited to see where it&#x27;s gonna take me.” </p><div><br/></div><p>It’s a successful jump that led him to viral triumph. It was so well-received by Filipino music fans that it later on earned another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7kY3yaeybI" target="_blank">version with Filipina singer Moira dela Torre</a> on board. And for Maximillian, it’s the beginning of sharing more of his journey and learnings to those who needed a shoulder to lean on through music. Thus, he released more music, including his albums “Still Alive” and “Too Young” as well as a number of solo and collaborative works.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div class="youtube-iframe"><iframe width="400" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OUFuaMj6z-w" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/metro-talks-with-singer-songwriter-valentina-ploy/33257" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Conversation With Thai-Italian Singer-Songwriter Valentina Ploy</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Those milestones all happened in a span of two years, while stuck at home and constantly spending time with himself. He confesses that he felt sad and depressed during those couple of years, like many others had gone through. However, Maximilian used this time to collect and be comfortable with his own thoughts. “In a way, we are our own worst enemies. But I learned that being alone with your own thoughts for quite a while actually is good for you,” the singer says. “Sometimes, we&#x27;re all a bit insecure and we all have something that we don&#x27;t like about ourselves. But it&#x27;s okay; that&#x27;s how it is. No one’s perfect, and we don&#x27;t have to be perfect.”</p><div><br/></div><p>As he basks in his current success, he’s happy to share that he’s in a much better place now. And more than ever, Maximillian stands tall to remind people that happiness isn’t simply about looking for someone—you can always find it in your own company. His upcoming single, “I’m Not Me,” is all about that. He details, “I just came out of a relationship. I told myself that maybe I should focus on other stuff than finding someone. Maybe it&#x27;s time for me to feel a little more myself. All the relationships I&#x27;ve had and, in the end, I felt like I wasn’t me; I couldn&#x27;t see myself. Now, it&#x27;s time to focus on myself.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e5316afb-3642-4fc1-93ad-2a1ad508d136_210201_maximillian_jb_neutral_03_3310_v2 resized.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Maximillian exclusive interview with MetroStyle"/></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/rowoon-live-in-manila-fan-meet-highlights/33258" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">In Photos: Highlights Of Rowoon’s Fan Meet in Manila</a></div><div><br/></div><p>In such themes, his fans appreciate him being a pillar, a ray of light, the rainbow after the rain. Maximillian talks about how he wished he had someone to tell him that everything’s gonna be okay back then, and understanding the importance of having someone listen to you ignited his desire to make it easier for others, especially the new generation.</p><div><br/></div><p>And underneath it all is our desire to be happy, which he emphasizes as the most significant part of living. “I think the most important part of life is just being happy with yourself, because it doesn&#x27;t really matter what someone else thinks,” the singer muses. </p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/f33251a1-4c77-41aa-826b-a168f61d3d7b_maximillian1_jonasbie_highres resized.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Maximillian exclusive interview with MetroStyle"/></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Follow Maximillian on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maximillianirl/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram (@maximillianirl)</a> and subscribe to his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/MaximillianMusic/featured" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a>. Listen to his music on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Q9c6ETFOkDDTy53U7DIgr" target="_blank">Spotify</a>.</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Photo courtesy of <strong>Universal Music Group</strong></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/highlights-hwang-in-youp-bys-fun-meet-in-manila/33220" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Highlights From Hwang In-Youp&#x27;s BYS Fun Meet In Manila</a></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

The “Beautiful Scars” hitmaker, who was in Manila for a 2-day event, shares how working on music themes about growing up and self-love is a healing journey for both himself and his listeners