Few love stories begin at an open mic night and lead straight to a nationwide ministry, but that's exactly what happened for Christian duo Grace + Max. After meeting in Nashville in 2021, the pair quickly discovered that their shared passion for music was only surpassed by their shared devotion to Christ. What began as two solo artists supporting one another soon blossomed into marriage, an unexpected touring opportunity with Sean Rodriguez just days after their honeymoon, and a calling to minister together through music.
In this exclusive interview, Grace + Max open up about balancing marriage and ministry on the road, the deeply personal testimony behind their bold new single "Washed," and why they're unashamed to stand firm in their faith-even when the world labels it "brainwashed."
Q: For readers meeting Grace + Max for the first time, tell us your story. How did your relationship grow into both a marriage and a musical partnership, and when did you realize God was calling you to create music together?
We met in October of 2021 at an open mic night in Nashville, TN. It was the most unexpected blessing for both of us. Max ended up asking me (Grace) on a date and the dates never stopped after that. We started playing music around nashville together. Max would accompany me on guitar, or I'd sing background vocals for Max. We played together so much that people thought of us as a duo. It was too much pressure to put on a dating relationship, so we kept pursuing our solo careers. Once we were in engaged in September of 2023, we began praying about what it would look like to collaborate in our music once we were married. It was something that felt distant and not a possibility anytime soon. A month before we were married in June of 2024, Sean Rodriguez asked us to come on the road with him, be a part of his band, and open for him as a duo. In retrospect, God had been preparing our hearts for this moment. We got married, went on our honeymoon, and then two days later we started touring. By the end of that summer we knew that this was where God had called us to be, and we haven't looked back since.
Q: Your sound blends folk-pop with a Christ-centered message in a way that feels both fresh and authentic. Who are some of the artists, songwriters, or life experiences that have most influenced your music?
Grace: I love lyric driven songs that tell a story. One artist and songwriter in particular who I've noticed does that well is Avery Anna. Through her storytelling abilities, she has inspired me to open up and share my life and testimony. I believe that what man intended for evil, God intends for good for the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20), and songwriting is one way, I believe, God uses the hurt in my life to help other people through their pain. That is the main reason I write songs and share them with others.
Max: I am personally very inspired by the artist and songwriter Jon Bellion. His approach to production and melodies feels very authentic and unique. Growing up, I found a lot of influence from groups such as the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Their harmonies and talent have inspired me in my writing and production. When I first became a Christian at 17, I was very encouraged and inspired by the lyrics of "You Say" by Lauren Daigle and "Even If" by Mercy Me
Q: You've gone from newlyweds to life on the road, performing at major Christian festivals and touring with Sean Rodriguez. What has this season taught you about marriage, ministry, and trusting God with your calling?
Starting our marriage off by touring in a sprinter van with 6 other guys is not what we had imagined our first few years of marriage to look like, but we wouldn't want it any other way. When you get married, every area of your life becomes one, including your ministry. We are incredibly thankful that God has called our music ministries to become one as well. We never get tired of getting to do this together. We've had to learn to prioritize God above all else, followed by our marriage, and then our ministry. If that order is not followed, it makes our day to day a lot more difficult. There have been times where stepping out into full time music has been scary. We've had to remember that if this is what God has called us to do, He is going to provide for us. We've seen Him provide over and over again, even when it makes so sense.
Q: Your new single, "Washed," takes the criticism of being "brainwashed" and completely turns it on its head. What inspired this song, and why do you think its message is especially relevant in today's culture?
"Washed" is apart of my (Max's) testimony. I grew up a lukewarm Christian. At age 17, I started learning about who Jesus truly is and I gave my life to Christ. My friends didn't understand why I started acting differently all of the sudden. They would ask me, "did you get brainwashed?"I had to decide if I was going to stand firm in Christ, or become who others wanted me to be. I had to remember that I had not been brainwashed; I had been washed in the blood of Jesus. People may not understand why we believe what we believe, but it's important to stand firm in your faith no matter what.
Q: One of the song's strongest themes is refusing to apologize for the transformation Christ brings. Have either of you experienced moments when your faith was misunderstood or criticized, and did those experiences shape the writing of "Washed"?
As mentioned before, I (Max) have had people close to me question why I changed. I lost some friendships because of this. But I was reminded that Jesus said we'd have friends and even family reject our faith. As Christians, our faith will be tested. In those seasons of trials, consider it all joy (James 1:2) because God is producing endurance through the testing of our faith.
Q: The message of "Washed" is ultimately about leaving your old life behind and embracing the new identity Christ offers. What encouragement would you give to someone who wants to follow Jesus wholeheartedly but fears what others might think or say?
The Bible tells us that there will be people who don't understand our faith in Jesus. It's important to remember that it is much better chasing after God than after man's approval. People always come in and out of your life, but God is forever. The enemy tries to isolate you and take you away from where God has called you by filling your head with fear and lies. That is not from God. Stepping out and following Jesus is the best decision we've ever made. You won't regret it.
"Washed" is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and all major digital streaming platforms, please CLICK HERE to listen now.
