Max Frost

A musical prodigy who evolved into a self-contained one-man operation, Max Frost channels an array of influences into a wide-ranging yet cohesive brand of pop as a vocalist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born in Austin, Texas, in 1993, he first picked up guitar instruction at a community music camp at age ten. Within two years he was performing publicly and had already earned notice as an emerging blues guitarist. Prior to his teenage years he entered the local rock group Joy Ride, providing support for young fiddler Ruby Jane Smith, and subsequently joined Blues Mafia, a thriving Austin blues-and-soul ensemble, while also appearing alongside roots-rock mainstay Bob Schneider.

Even as he performed vintage R&B with Blues Mafia, Frost separately pursued newer sonic directions and found guidance from Lone Star hip-hop figure Kydd Jones. Jones introduced him to the possibilities of electronic production, enabling Frost to master every instrumental component of a track on his own. He soon began composing and tracking material that blended present-day R&B, classic soul, funk, and hip-hop beneath concise, wry lyrics. In 2012, shortly after commencing his sophomore year at the University of Texas, Frost withdrew from classes to devote himself entirely to music. The move proved decisive when he issued the sly soul-tinged track “White Lies” as a digital single; the song quickly circulated among music bloggers and drew interest from major labels.

Frost entered an agreement with Atlantic in August 2013, and the label issued the five-track EP Low High Low, which included “White Lies,” that October. Throughout 2014 he balanced touring obligations with sessions in Los Angeles and at the Loft—Wilco’s private studio in Chicago—where he collaborated with Jeff Tweedy on one song. His second EP, Intoxication, arrived in 2015 and marked his first work with external producers Benny Blanco and François Tétaz. Between 2016 and 2017 Frost issued a series of standalone singles—“Adderall,” “High All Day,” and “President”—alongside joint recordings with Mike Waters (“Drowning”) and Lovespeake (“Novocaine”). In early 2018 he toured alongside Grizfolk and released “Good Morning,” which appeared on his debut album Gold Rush; he later promoted the LP on the road with Awolnation and Twenty One Pilots.