MySpace a place for friends

To most of the world, Max Lugavere is co-host of the increasingly popular, Al Gore progeny, Current TV. But in between taking on topics of Gen Y and starring in hip Gap ads you’ve seen across town, Max’s taken on a new role: musician. What began for Max as a mere outlet of self-expression, quickly turned into an abounding passion and entry into the acoustic artist domain.

Despite his love for music and songwriting, Max Lugavere didn’t begin playing guitar until five years ago. “I wish I had a more impressive musical background. I’ve been playing guitar for five years and singing in between 2 and 3,” he says, “but as soon as I picked it up, I was immediately sucked into the world of musicality.” With that, Lugavere, a “closet computer nerd,” actively began playing guitar and writing. Soon thereafter, he set up a home made recording studio. “I was just tired of being a listener and wanted to be a creator.”

What’s followed has been a string of acoustic folk rock songs, from the meditative “Until” to an unexpected fresh take on MGMT’s “Kids.” Influenced by acts such as Matt Nathanson, Howie Day and Joshua James, Max hopes that his songs provoke and impart a visceral experience on the listener, much like his favorite artists have affected him. With multiple acoustic performances in his back pocket, Max admits there is “no better feeling that being onstage, “ and creating a connection with the audience, which has become an increased focus for his future shows.

An EP entitled “Until” is in the works, [and] Max seeks to continue playing in his favorite LA joints. In the meantime, local residents are definitely taking notice of Mr. Lugavere from the dude on [TV] to the heart-wrencher on stage.

-Sarah Ardalani