Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Carlson.
Hi Max, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
We’re New Troy, a four-piece alternative rock band based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, made up of two pairs of brothers and cousins: Max and Sam Carlson, and Aidan and Rowan Kile. Our story began in July of 2024, where we played our first gig together. What started as a single show quickly became something bigger, and by November of that year, we had made the decision to relocate to Grand Rapids to pursue music together. Since then, we’ve worked to carve out our place in West Michigan’s music scene, sharing stages with touring acts and building a following through our live shows and original music. Our sound draws on everything we love about rock, blending atmospheric textures, memorable melodies, and raw energy. At the heart of it all, we’re four family members chasing a shared ambition and figuring out just how far we can take it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Relocating from Grand Rapids in November 2024 was a huge step that meant stepping away from what was familiar and starting over in a new place, both personally and musically. We’ve had to build our connections from the ground up, find our place in a new music scene, and learn how to grow a band while balancing the responsibilities of everyday life.
There’s a lot that goes into building something like this that people don’t necessarily see, from the financial commitment and countless hours of work behind the scenes to the challenge of getting your music in front of new people. Progress doesn’t always happen as quickly as you’d like, and it takes a lot of patience and persistence to keep moving forward. But every show we play, every song we release, and every new opportunity we earn reinforces why we made this decision in the first place. We’re committed to making music a career and building a life around it, and we know that getting there means putting in the work long before the results are guaranteed.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of the things that sets us apart is the chemistry we bring to the stage. As two pairs of brothers and cousins, there’s a natural connection between us, and we’re constantly pushing each other to make the music better. We also put a lot of emphasis on our live performances. We want people to walk away feeling like they experienced something, not just watched a band play a set.
We’re especially proud of the opportunities we’ve earned in a relatively short time. In June 2026, we had the opportunity to open for internationally touring rock band HIMILAYAS at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids. In September, we headlined The Stache, another iconic Grand Rapids venue, bringing together a crowd of more than 200 people. Those milestones mean a lot to us because they represent the work we’ve put into developing our live show and building a community around our music. Ultimately, we want to keep growing beyond our local scene, reach new audiences, and create music that people connect with long after the show is over.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Our biggest piece of advice is to keep creating and find ways to get your music in front of people. Making great music is important, but you also have to put yourself out there, build relationships, play shows, and give people opportunities to discover you. We’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes you have to create your own opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you. There’s an audience out there for every kind of music – the challenge is finding those people and giving them a reason to connect with what you do. Be persistent, stay true to what makes your music yours, and don’t underestimate how far a little initiative can take you.
Contact Info:
- Email: itsnewtroy@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnewtroy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@itsnewtroy
