Bio
Ever since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, “The Real Truth”, Maximiano’s music has reached indie, folk, and americana scenes all across the country. The Milwaukee, WI based singer, songwriter, producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist toured extensively in support of “The Real Truth,” which The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel named the 3rd Best Milwaukee Album of 2024, calling it “one of the most piercing and emotionally resonant collections of songs… a towering artistic achievement.”
Maximiano performed 107 shows in 28 cities across 15 states in 2025 while still finding time to produce, mix, and collaborate with 30 artists and bands.
In the midst of this hard work, Maximiano had a brief period of rest when their former professor asked them to dog sit in the Hudson Valley region of New York. During that ten day span Maximiano wrote their new album, “Rokeby,” named for the area that inspired the songs. The first half of “Rokeby” showcases Maximiano’s well-honed skills as a producer, expanding upon the lush arrangements of their debut. The second half refocuses around the intimate solo performance style that they have become known for on the road. Inspired by Springsteen’s “Nebraska” and The Mountain Goats’ “All Hail West Texas” the final five songs of “Rokeby” feature stripped back, emotionally raw performances with an unmistakably human touch.
“Rokeby,” which Maximiano wrote, produced, arranged, recorded, and mixed, expands upon the lush production of “The Real Truth” in its first half before refocusing around the raw intimacy of performance in the stripped back second half. Every song on the album, no matter the production style, is driven by Maximiano’s trademark songwriting style: “honest, vulnerable, and altogether beautiful,” (Milwaukee Record)
"Rokeby" Out April 1st
Drawing its name from the region in upstate New York that inspired the songs, ‘Rokeby’ expands upon the lush production of ‘The Real Truth’ in its first half before refocusing around the raw intimacy of performance in the stripped-back second half. The album features Maximiano Janairo on vocals, guitars, bass, piano, synths, Wurlitzer, even “pixie harp” – an instrument they briefly shacked up with on tour and couldn’t resist tracking. Behind the scenes, they doubled in even more roles: writing, producing, arranging, recording, and mixing. The resulting record is a testament to Maximiano’s unbridled vision, growing artistic confidence, and DIY ethos.
Countryside
The first single off of the new album “Rokeby”
It reflects our current dystopia and the struggle against dehumanization under fascism. “I could walk a forest mile and leave my phone behind,” the narrator sings. Nature and community are offered up as an antidote to anguish. “The song is a braid of anger and hope,” Maximiano says. “I have seen communities all across the country working to support themselves in sustainable and compassionate ways.” The track features Nick Lang on percussion and Ellie Jackson on backing vocals, as well as Maximiano on the everything else
"THE REAL TRUTH" the debut record written, produced, recorded, and mixed by Maximiano
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01 The Real Truth 1:580:00/1:58
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0:00/6:28
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03 Simple 4:170:00/4:17
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04 Waveform Mountain 3:370:00/3:37
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0:00/3:21
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0:00/3:40
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07 Interlude 0:300:00/0:30
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08 (re)Introduction 4:280:00/4:28
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09 Jordan Year 4:460:00/4:46
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10 Wildwood 3:360:00/3:36
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11 The Moment's Gone 5:470:00/5:47
Praise for "The Real Truth"
“The Real Truth—the formal debut album by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Maximiano—is an ongoing story. It touches upon a range of emotions, making sure to never spend too long on any singular sensation. It’s sad, triumphant, pensive, and omniscient…sometimes all within the same song…
Maximiano stands squarely at the center of their 11-song effort, which expertly alternates from bare bones instrumentation paired with raw emotion to self-assured and shouted declarations that are ballasted by accompaniment from a murderers’ row of up-and-coming Milwaukee musicians.
In the 40-some minutes between the slow-developing title track that nudges The Real Truth into motion and the delicate march towards a jubilant crescendo of album-ending “The Moment’s Gone,” listeners are treated to one of the most honest, vulnerable, and altogether beautiful releases a Milwaukee musician has managed this year.”
It's the "real truth," all right — one of the most piercing and emotionally resonant collections of songs from a Milwaukee artist of the year, an even more admirable feat as a debut. From unearthing hard-fought realizations over ethereal ambiance on the jaw-dropping title track to a grand finale via "The Moment's Gone" that slides from jazzy, piano-powered epiphanies, Maximiano turns "The Real Truth" into a towering artistic achievement.
“[The Real Truth] is lush and luxurious, matching Maximiano’s courageous striving towards something that reflects life’s most moving moments. We don’t want to hurt people, but we do. We don’t want to fall ill, but we do. It is a beautiful and daring album, that recalls many of the most ambitious and moving indie bands of the twenty first century. If you’re fans of earnest folk-influenced music that incorporates an array of beautiful instruments and digs deep into life’s quandaries, definitely check this album out.”
-Gregory Walker, Prism Reviews
"If you're not following Maximiano you're just plain doing it wrong… Mark my words, this emerging artist is going places and you should get on board by catching a show, giving them a follow, and supporting their creative work."
Kat Wodtke, Long Mama
Albums
Singles
