Sometimes, all you need to do is let someone inside.
Operating under the moniker Dead Motel, Pennsylvania’s Maxwell Getz has quickly identified himself as one of the most exciting talents to watch in the indie scene today.
Utilizing ambiance, feelings of nostalgia, and melodic hooks to create his signature indie rock/pop sound, Getz’s deeply personal releases have struck a chord with listeners. His willingness to be vulnerable endears him to his audiences, and Getz has built himself up a loyal following, positioning himself to break out at any time.
Although his life or musical journey has been anything but easy, Getz has persevered. Although the loss of his father at a young age plunged him into a tumultuous adolescence marked by substance abuse, the dark clouds that hung over his life would not be permanent.
Getz’s story is not one of tragedy but one of resilience and transformation; seeking help to overcome his addiction, he embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. Through this process, Dead Motel was born, serving as both a vehicle for catharsis and a conduit for connection for listeners with similar experiences.
“Palace” is a release that feels like a warm blanket of indie rock goodness if we had to describe it. With an instrumental performance that feels soft yet upbeat and hopeful, the motel’s soothing vocals sap your worries away as he gently eases you into his soundscape. Although lines like “in your palace of windows / where the secrets overflowed / you were drowning in your clothes / all alone” might seem isolating initially, the motel’s comforting vocals feel like a soft ray of light, letting you know you’re not alone.
If you find yourself haunted by the sounds of your mind, Dead Motel wants you to know you’re not alone. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream Motel’s latest release, “Palace,” on all majour streaming platforms.
Welcome to Buzz, Dead Motel! We couldn't get enough of “Palace,” so we had to ask! What inspired this release, and what was your favorite part of the creative process of making “Palace?"
So glad you like it! Palace started by bridging the gap between my earlier electronic/dance releases and the new sound I was going for, which is more full band. I settled on using a disco beat with synths but real bass and guitars. I had all the vocal melodies without lyrics, and I was in the shower one day. The line “In your palace of windows” came to me, and quickly, the rest of the chorus came. It became apparent the song was about a time in my life when I was deeply lost in addiction, and I was trying my very best to hide it from everyone around me. It was obvious I wasn’t doing well, and keeping those secrets made everything worse and ate me up from the inside.
Who would your dream collaboration be, and why?
It's probably The 1975. They are my favorite band of all time, and their musical language, palette, and aesthetic are similar to my own.
What’s your fondest music-related memory?
Probably my first memory of ever liking a song would be hearing “You Can Call Me Al” by Paul Simon as a young child. I’m a sucker for simple, catchy melodies, and I’ve loved that song and album dearly ever since.
If your fans could take one thing away from your music, what would you want it to be?
Pain is important, and facing your pain head-on with love, patience, and kindness will help you grow and find who you truly are. True beauty lies in the things we are afraid of, find scary, or ugly.
What’s next for Dead Motel, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?
I have a new song called “The Ending” coming out September 6th, with more coming behind them. I’m currently rolling out singles for my debut album and will be announcing a full release for that in the near future. Also keep an eye out of show dates, I can’t wait to bring dead motel to the stage. I want to thank the core fanbase that’s been supporting me since the beginning; I can’t wait to share all this new music with them!