Max McNown

Max McNown Biography by James Christopher Monger Wandering Max McNown is a Nashville-based, Oregon-born singer/songwriter known for his expressive voice, poignant and relatable lyrics, and an earthy sound rooted in classic country, indie folk, and Americana. His breakout single, "A Lot More Free," released in 2023, charted in the U.S. and internationally, paving the way for his debut album, Wandering, in 2024. The following year, he released his sophomore LP, Night Diving. Hailing from the small Oregon town of West Linn, McNown moved to Southern California in 2022, where he forged the beginning of his music career. After relocating to Nashville, he rose to fame on social media, fostering a devoted following that helped his breakout single, "A Lot More Free," rack up 22 million streams and reach number one on TikTok's Breakthrough USA chart. The song appeared on his 2023 debut EP of the same name. Two more EPs, Can't Hide Light and Love I Got Left, appeared later that year, culminating in the release of his first full-length effort, 2024's Wandering, which earned the young artist comparisons to songwriting heroes Tyler Childers and Zach Bryan. Another EP, Willfully Blind, appeared in September of that year. Night Diving, McNown's assured and heartfelt sophomore long-player, appeared the following year and featured the streaming hits "Better Me for You (Brown Eyes)," "Marley," and "Roses and Wolves," the latter of which saw him team up with Hailey Whitters. Produced by regular collaborator Jamie Kenney, Night Diving leaned into the singer's nostalgic side as well as examining themes of healing and growth.