CURRENT MISSION

Building Banjos in the Basement

ABOUT ME

my name is max. i live at this cool house and i want to help you out when youre traveling because spending money on accommodation is seriously crippling. however, just the heads up, i cant promise to spend time with you, im just offering a couch. and if i'm asking to stay at your place, i'd really appreciate it if you could put me up. i have put up probably close to a hundred surfers but rarely have been on the surfing side myself. i am very responsible, i know what i like in surfers and act the ideal model myself to encourage this really positive exchange and use of space. i'll do your dishes and won't leave anything around. it'll be great. we'll have fun.

PHILOSOPHY

Have thick skin and short nails. Tolerance of others' livestyles and methods is a supreme virtue. Either that or I could just move to one of those planets with no other people on it. There are as many different ways of living as there are people and theyre all interesting. Ive found what works for me at the moment but am always trying to modify it. And I like what youre doing and thanks for not trying to make what im doing exactly what youre doing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

You stay at my house and I stay at yours. OR you stay at my house and then Soandso stays at yours and then Whatshername stays at Soandso's and then i stay at Whatshername's and everyone mutually benefits from everyone being cool and not fearing people they dont know. Plus we all get cool stories out of the ordeal.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

i have hosted hundreds, seriously, of surfers and there is always someone staying at our house and it is always fun. ive met loads of great people and heard tons of great stories. ive only stayed with a host once, couldnt get on to one once and spent the night in a park but hey, thats just one more cool story. we have four couches and most of them are even comfortable so definitely request. (plus if i pass out on one you can have my bed.)

Interests

Banjo playing, song writing, music composition, recording other people's music, building instruments, traveling, beer brewing, speaking Irish, making sushi, riding bikes and laughing. And hearing what you like to do and trying it out.

• writing
• concerts
• beer
• vegan
• modeling
• traveling
• music
• surfing
• engineering

Music, Movies, and Books

I play five string three-finger picking banjo. Currently I play in a couple of bands, the fore being the Desert Kind - an acoustic Americana band that I keep pushing as close to the direction of Bluegrass that the other band mates will let me. I love Celtic music as well, but am interested in many traditional musics from a variety of regions. Above all, I really just listen to my friends' bands - if i care about the person then I care about the music they make. And I'm always interested in being turned on to new music.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

the engineering feat that is new grange, played banjo on the back of a camel in the Sahara, played a concert for 100,000 people in New Zealand including Prince William

Teach, Learn, Share

Ill offer all that i have - skills are not meant to be monopolized - theyre meant to be shared. What I can teach you - how to play the banjo (well, maybe not in a night or few days but im down for a lesson - if i have the heads up ill even bring some handouts). I speak Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge) quasi-fluently. I mean I speak Pigeon Irish FLUENTLY. So if you want to know something, cool. If you have Irish and want to converse, very cool. How to brew beer - or elaborate on what you already know about beer. Ive been doing this pro for five years and at home for ten. Making sushi - this is the only other job besides banjo and beer that ive ever enjoyed. And Im good at it. vegan or not.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ireland, New Zealand, United States