Multi-artist Maxim Ludwig, recently shared his new single “Mercury Avenue,” a collaboration with Angel Olsen. Featuring Ludwig’s band The Mystics – Matt Bernstein on bass and guitar and Jorge Balbi on drums, the song also features Olsen on harmonies and synthesizer, Jonathan Wilson (who also mixed) on synthesizer and Sean O’Brien on organ and guitar.

Having grown up in Los Angeles and spent time as a roadie for Sharon Van Etten and a guitarist for Olsen, Ludwig is a passionate performer and cult figure in the Los Angeles’ music scene. Throughout his career, he’s made his own path with his literary confessional songwriting style and has been praised by the Los Angeles Times for his “restless musical passion” and for being “fearless and immensely gifted.” Ludwig has always been interested in the raw, the honest and imperfect in music. His distinct sense of swagger and triumph comes through on today’s new single, “Mercury Avenue.”

“Mercury Avenue” is about the inner monologue of a person who has changed their mind. “It’s about not going toward darkness, being brought back to life and living through love,” Ludwig says. The song’s video was directed by Olsen and Angela Ricciardi, filmed in 16mm in Pismo Beach, California. It’s a symbolic play on the Sisyphus myth and the idea of what if he found love while doing his work, featuring Ludwig as a lonely wanderer trudging through the desert before setting his gaze on a magnetic figure (Olsen) in the distance. There are symbols throughout that play with Tarot, surrealist cinema, William Blake, and Pecos Bill tall-tales.

Fall 2024, will see Ludwig will embark on a tour with Olsen, playing shows in intimate venues in California, New York, and New Jersey.The two recently sang together on a cover of Lou Reed’s “I Can’t Stand It” off of The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed.

Maxim Ludwig 2024 Tour Dates

Sun. Sept. 8- Sonoma, CA @ Gundlach Winery
Mon. Sept. 9 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre
Wed. Sept. 11 – Ojai, CA @ Libbey Bowl
Sat. Sept 28 – Albany, NY @ The Egg
Sun. Sept. 29 – Woodstock, NY @ The Barn at Levon Helm Studios
Mon. Sept. 30 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Center For The Arts

(All dates supporting Angel Olsen)

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