Max Kate’s new EP Sunflowers & Dreams blends emotion and melody, exploring love, heartbreak, and self-discovery through heartfelt storytelling
There is no dearth of musical talent in our country, but only a few stand apart from the crowd. Independent artist Max Kate is one such artiste. Originally hailing from Uttarakhand and now juggling between the cities of Mumbai and Jaipur, Kate is a singer, songwriter, producer, composer and ‘musical time traveller’, as he describes himself. He proves his prowess in his latest alt-rock, indie folk, multi-lingual (Hindi and English) EP titled ‘Sunflowers & Dreams’, which was released on May 5, 2025, by label Platmine Studio.
Kate highlights the journey behind ‘Sunflowers & Dreams’, saying, “This six-track EP is a deeply personal collection, written over three years and shaped by lived experiences – from the euphoria of first love to the emotional toll of a relationship unravelling. Each track is a snapshot of a real moment that moved me deeply.”
Through its six tracks, the EP explores varied themes of love, fear, vulnerability and nostalgia. “Creating Sunflowers & Dreams wasn’t just an artistic project – it was a life journey,” shares Kate, referring to the process of writing the songs as transformative. “These songs were born directly from lived experiences – the electric rush of a first love, the slow collapse of a romance burdened by trauma, and the bittersweet taste of memories that linger even after everything falls apart.”
“I don’t sit down and write songs for the sake of it,” he adds, “I write after experiencing an event or a moment that really moves me. Every track is a snapshot of those real emotions.
From the innocent butterflies of early love to the darker moments of fear, insecurity and heartbreak, Sunflowers & Dreams doesn’t shy away from expressing any emotion.”
Max began his musical journey at the age of four by learning to play the piano. He later expanded into electronic production and DJing at the Lost Stories Academy in Mumbai. After 10th grade, he dropped out of school and focused on creating music on acoustic guitars and making breezy mellifluous tones with jubilant vibes that would transport the listener to a happy place. In his words, “It’s all about love, heartbreak, travel, dance, drama and multiple emotions freezing onto a single slate like a canvas.” He released his debut single in 2020 and his most recent claim to fame is the production and composition of a wedding medley for ‘Kull’, an upcoming show on Jio Hotstar.
Speaking about the songs in ‘Sunflowers & Dreams’, Kate says, “We put a lot of thought into the visual storytelling behind the EP, produced by Platmine Studio.” ‘Young Again’ was executed by Abhas Rawat and directed by Garvit Arora in Delhi, and it focuses on different tales from Kate’s life from the ages of 15-21.
“This was the age I balled out as I was always sporty and fit. At 18, I was knocked out by my girlfriends and rare nights in the dance clubs,” he admits. “I kept changing cities and when I was 21, I promised to never love again to protect myself. But fortunately things changed…”
The song ‘Gum Gaye’, shot in the beautiful coastal town of Alibag, and crafted by Rambo Kherwal and his Mumbai-based team, is a testament to this change of heart. “This song is all about getting lost with someone special in the sailing boat of your life. It says that it’s fine to get lost in thin air and not to think about tomorrow or the next hour because at the end of the day it’s all those beautiful memories that you will stitch with your heart and take to your deathbed,” he says.
Kate also believes that a huge part of what makes the sound of ‘Sunflowers & Dreams’ so clean yet emotionally textured is the work done by Platmine Studio. He explains, “It’s where emotion met precision, helping shape every layer of the EP’s production while keeping my original vision intact. I believe Platmine has become a trusted creative partner for indie musicians looking to keep things authentic.”
When asked about what’s next on the cards, he responds: “The journey isn’t ending here. I have dreams of taking Sunflowers & Dreams on a tour across India’s most beautiful small towns – Nainital, Pondicherry, Shillong, Manali – and I aim to bring these songs straight to the hearts that need them most. There is more music on the horizon too, with new singles inspired by heartbreak, self-discovery, travel and life itself, in the works. After all, if Sunflowers & Dreams taught us anything, it’s this – sometimes you have to break a little to dream again. So, I advise you to make a move, go find what you need, adore the moment, fall, get up again and live it like never before.”
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.