Maximilian Stephan

 Composer for film and TV
Art director
Instagram
Top



As a composer and art director, Max' unique approach combines his profound understanding of both auditory and visual mediums. With a lifelong passion for music and over two decades of experience in writing, recording, producing and performing, Max crafts skillful and distinctive scores. Drawing from a university education in communication design, his expertise extends to offering professional guidance across all forms of visual media.

Film music

Band music

Album covers

Commercial work

Radio

 

Recent works in band music

2024
Collision (LP/CD) Carpet
Composer, performer
  
2024
Crawl Space (Live Session)
Half Pair
Composer, performer

2024
  • Das Format
 Das Format
Composer, performer
  
2020
Half Pair (LP)
Half Pair
Composer, performer

2018
  • About Rooms and Elephants (LP)
Carpet
Composer, performer
2017
  • Secret Box (LP/CD)
Carpet
Composer, performer

2014
  • Riot Kiss (Single)
Carpet
Composer, performer

2013Elysian Pleasures (LP/CD)Carpet
Composer, performer
  
2012
  • Read Books (LP/CD)
Instrument
Performer, composer

2011Olympus Mons (LP/CD)Instrument
Performer, composer

Collision – Carpet 

Carpet is a German band influenced by prog rock, psychedelic music, stoner rock and jazz.

  • Guitars, synth, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader
Bass: Hubert Steiner
  • Rhodes, Juno: Sigmund Perner
  • Trumpet, flugelhorn: Martin Lehmann
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
Mixing: Maximilian Wörle

Music video for “Ghosts”


“Ghosts”
  • Video editing: Maximilian Stephan




Half Pair – Half Pair

Half Pair is the solo project of composer Maximilian Stephan.

  • Guitars, piano, bass, synths, drums, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader, Maximilian Wörle
Cello: Juri Kannheiser
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
  • Mixing: Maximilian Stephan, Maximilian Wörle

Music video for “Half Pair (Song of the Muse)”


“Half Pair (Song of the Muse)”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan

Music video for “Oh Dear”


“Oh Dear”
Director: Julian Reich
  • Cast: Marlene Becher, Miki Katz

Music video for “All Wrapped Up”


“All Wrapped Up”
Director: Micha Meevs
  • Cinematography: Florian Strandl
  • Cast: David Lindermeier, Jack Andrew  

Das Format

Das Format is a German post-punk trio.

  • Guitars, vocals: Bruno Tenschert
  • Bass, guitars: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Maximilian Wörle
Mixing: Maximilian Wörle

Music video for “Panorama Restaurant”


  • “Panorama Restaurant”
  • Concept: Maximilian Stephan, Bruno Tenschert, Maximilian Wörle
  • Director of photography: Florian Strandl 
Music video for “Deine Mutter”


  • “Deine Mutter”
  • Concept: Florian Strandl, Maximilian Stephan, Bruno Tenschert, Maximilian Wörle
  • Director of photography: Florian Strandl 
  • Cast: Anselm Haderer

Crawl Space – Half Pair

Six songs from the album ”Half Pair“ played live at the studio.

  • Guitars, piano, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
  • Bass: Bruno Tenschert
  • Guitars, keyboards: Benjamin Rademann
Drums: Jakob Mader, Maximilian Wörle
Production: Maximilian Stephan
Mixing: Maximilian Wörle
Video: Maximilian Stephan

Live session for “Birdwatching”


“Birdwatching”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan

Full live session


“Crawl Space”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan



About Rooms and Elephants – Carpet

The third album of the band Carpet shows more jazz-influenced music.

  • Guitars, piano, synth, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader
Bass: Hubert Steiner
  • Rhodes, Juno: Sigmund Perner
  • Trumpet, flugelhorn: Martin Lehmann
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
  • Mixing: Maximilian Wörle, Tom Körbler, Maximilian Stephan

Live session “Selene” at Zenith Munich


“Selene”
DoP: Michael Baumberger
1st AC: Max Rödl
Grip #1: David Wilkinson
Grip #2: Richard Lee Rogge
  • Recording engineer: Maximilian Wörle
  • Mixing: Maximilian Wörle, Maximilian Stephan

Music video for “Souvenir”


“Souvenir”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan



Secret Box – Carpet

Carpet's sophomore album, "Secret Box," released in 2017, marks an exploration into the realms of indie rock, infused with elements of psychedelic and world music.

  • Guitars, synth, piano, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader
Bass: Hubert Steiner
  • Rhodes, Juno: Sigmund Perner
  • Trumpet, flugelhorn: Martin Lehmann
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
Mixing: Michael Kamm
Music video for ”One Step / Minuet”


“One Step / Minuet”
Direction: Robert Vornkahl

Music video for “Best of Hard Times”


“Best of Hard Times”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan



Riot Kiss – Carpet

Riot Kiss is featured in ”WhoAmI – Kein System ist sicher“.

  • Guitars, keyboards, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader
Bass: Hubert Steiner
  • Rhodes, Juno: Sigmund Perner
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
Mixing: Nicolas Sierig
Music video for “Riot Kiss”


“Riot Kiss”
  • Direction, video editing: Maximilian Stephan


Elysian Pleasures – Carpet

Drawing inspiration from the rich tradition of progressive rock, Carpet's "Elysian Pleasures" pays homage to genre pioneers while forging a path of its own.

  • Guitars, synth, piano, vocals: Maximilian Stephan
Drums: Jakob Mader
Bass: Hubert Steiner
  • Rhodes, organ: Sigmund Perner
  • Production: Maximilian Stephan
Mixing: Michael Kamm
Music video for “Nearly Four”


“Nearly Four”
Direction: Andreas Zimmer
Music video for “Smoke Signals”


“Smoke Signals”
Direction: Maximilian Stephan