Mind Reading: Max McNown On ‘Pivotal’ Advice He Got From Luke Combs’ Manager, New Music In The Works

Max McNown’s music is imbued with stories of grief and darkness, resilience and light—and ever-evolving perspectives.

As the Nashville-based singer/songwriter’s star rises with more than 10 million monthly Spotify listeners, the recent release of deluxe edition album Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) and current U.S. headlining tour, he’s also evolving his perspective on self-care amid rapid success.

One of his biggest recent game-changers came courtesy of sage words he received at the Boston Calling music festival in May 2025, where he was performing alongside artists including Luke Combs, Fallout Boy, Dave Matthews and Megan Maroney.

“I have a couple band members and crew members that are close with some of Luke Combs’ team,” McNown says. “And so I was able to meet Luke and I was talking with his production manager and he told me, ‘Man it’s so cool; I can tell you’re on the rise.’ And then he got really serious with me and he was like, ‘Are you writing everything down? Do you have a journal or anywhere that you’re writing these experiences down and processing them?’ And I said, ‘I have a journal but it’s at my apartment. I haven’t used it in a long, long time…