Before he was selling out venues around the world or landing on Billboard charts, Max McNown was standing alone on the San Clemente Pier with a borrowed guitar, a handful of original songs, and very few expectations.

“That night I made 93 bucks, and also got a free taco and a girl’s phone number folded into a $5 bill,” he recalls. “I didn’t have a lot of faith in myself, but a friend encouraged me to try – and that was the start.”

That kind of humble, boots-on-the-ground beginning has shaped not only how McNown approaches performing, but how he builds his songs – with intention, clarity, and an openness that continues to connect with people in surprising ways. Now 24 and based in Nashville, the Oregon-born singer/songwriter has carved out a space in today’s folk and country scenes with a style that blends heartache and a hint of wanderlust. His new deluxe album, Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up), serves as a major milestone – 21 tracks that round out what he always intended to be one complete project.

Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) - Max McNown — Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) – Max McNown

“People see ‘deluxe edition’ and assume these are just bonus tracks,” McNown says. “But in truth, many of the songs on this new version were written even before the first half of Night Diving came out. We released it in stages so we could get something out sooner, but in my mind, this was always one album.”

The result is a fully realized collection of songs that track with the highs and lows of early adulthood – the kind of moments where everything feels like it’s shifting, sometimes all at once. Across both sides of the album, McNown reflects on growing up, falling in love, and wrestling with the hard stuff that often goes unsaid. There’s joy in these tracks, but also heartbreak, doubt and resilience.

On the hopeful “Forever Ain’t Long Enough,” McNown lets his inner romantic take the wheel. The song isn’t just about love – it’s about time.

“Life really is so short, and you only get one shot at it,” he says. “This song is about wanting to make the most of every day with someone you care about. My lady is wonderful, and I have the privilege of imagining life with her until the very end. When you’re in a bond like that, writing love songs becomes the natural go to!”

That same spirit of honesty runs through the more sobering tracks too – particularly “The Cost of Growing Up,” a quiet standout that gives the album its full title. The lyrics feel like a journal entry: “Diamonds come from coal, and steel gets sharper the more time spent in the flame.”

For McNown, that song grew out of personal lessons and a growing acceptance that pain is just part of the deal.

“The song ‘The Cost of Growing Up’, much like nearly all my songs, was directly inspired by my personal experiences,” he says. “As we continue our walks in this life we learn more and more each day about the human condition, and for me, that means appreciating the things we can be grateful for, and fighting through the difficult moments. The song’s inspiration can be summed up in the words of Edward Fitz-Gerald: ‘This too shall pass.’”

His writing often walks that fine line between pain and hope, something he’s had to navigate offstage too. One of his most talked-about songs, “It’s Not Your Fault,” came from a conversation with a fan who had been through unthinkable trauma. Years later, performing that same song in Europe, another fan approached him after the show and shared that hearing it had pulled her back from the edge.

“I hear all kinds of stories from people,” he says. “I journal a lot, because it helps me process the weight of some of that. Honestly, I don’t think our minds are built to carry that much sorrow – but I’ll never forget that woman.”

It’s this real-world connection that gives McNown’s music staying power. Despite a quick rise – including a Gold-certified hit (“A Lot More Free”), his debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and a sold-out headline tour – he still approaches each show with the same mindset he had on the pier.

“Street performing was hard. Some people didn’t want you there. So you learn to show up, do your job, and give it your all. I carry that same mentality now. If I can leave the stage knowing I gave everything I had, I’m satisfied – whether it’s 10 people in the crowd or 10,000.”

On the new version of “Night Diving,” McNown brings in fellow singer/songwriter Cameron Whitcomb, whose raw, gravel-edged vocals and openness about addiction add new weight to the track’s message.

“The paramount virtue I value in other artists is authenticity and honesty. Cameron Whitcomb is a hilarious human and a joy to be around, and nobody in their right mind would call I’m inauthentic. Because of his authenticity, he was already in the running for a feature, and when you throw in his openness surrounding his battles with addiction in his own life, the collaboration on ‘Night Diving’ felt like a no-brainer.”

**Produced by Jamie Kenney (Colbie Caillat, Laci Kaye Booth), Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up) blends folk, country and pop in a way that feels fluid, not forced.**

McNown credits the influence of artists like Noah Kahan, Caamp and Chris Stapleton, but his sound remains distinctly his own – shaped as much by the Pacific Northwest landscape as by Nashville’s musical backbone.

And while the album may dig into life’s harder questions, the tone on the second half leans more hopeful.

“That optimism didn’t come naturally to me,” he admits. “It’s something I had to grow into. But the more I live, the more I realize how important it is to forgive – yourself, other people – and how that forgiveness leads to joy.”

With tour dates stretching across North America, Europe and Australia, and festival stops including Lollapalooza and CMA Fest, McNown’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. But he’s quick to remind people what matters most: the songs, the stories, and the people who connect with them.

“I think the best music makes people feel less alone,” he says. “That’s always been the goal. And with this album, I feel like I finally made something that really sounds like me.”

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