Meet Maximiano, a Milwaukee-based singer-songwriter whose music is a soulful blend of heritage, identity, and raw human experience.

Maximiano (the 4th!) shares how his artistic journey—from classical violin to soaking up the "hipster nonsense" of indie rock like Wilco and Sufjan Stevens—was fundamentally shaped by his parents and his deep connection to his family's ancestry.

"I know now forgiveness bleeds, and somehow it's in me."

In this segment, Maximiano discusses how embracing his identity as a mixed-race, non-binary, queer artist was a crucial building block for his professional music career. He explores how his style defies strict labels, living comfortably in the liminal space between Folk, Indie, and Americana, and explains why he writes songs out of "necessity"—to be a companion for feelings that are too difficult or embarrassing to express.

Finally, hear about the unique magic of the Milwaukee music scene and how its supportive, non-competitive spirit has fostered his growth.

Join Maximiano for a raw and moving performance of his original song, "Waveform Mountain." This track dives into the difficult feeling of painful hope that comes with losing a dear friendship. Written for two childhood friends after a painful rift, Maximiano explores the search for closure that ultimately keeps you stuck. The song's title comes from the artist’s habit of diving into music production, endlessly mixing and splicing audio waveforms late into the night, as a means of escaping the unsettled feelings. 

"Waveform Mountain" is a poignant reminder that while things were left unsaid and wounds remain, the underlying love endures. It’s an expression of faith that even after change and hurt, a chance to reconnect waits in the next sunrise. Lyric Highlight: "Riding the waveform mountain / Trying my best to get away / I'll meet you in the next sunrise / And hope you have some new song to play."