I lived in Germany for a few years, and just recently moved back to Canada. While in Germany, I met a talented artist and beautiful soul by the name of Ratko Vukovic. Ratko, who employs the nom de Plume “George Maxwell” lived about an hour’s drive away from me on the other side of the Rhine River, in Zurich, Switzerland. Since it is the name he has chosen to represent his artistic pursuits, I’ll refer to my friend as “George” from hereon in. When I was living in Germany, I was located in the town of Lauchringen which is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Kadelburg, birthplace of my father, and ancestral home of the Brombachers. My cousin Ralf lives there, just 4 doors down from the house that my grandfather built. My cousin has a brother-in-law named Dzo (pronounced just like “Joe”), whom I got know and befriend. And one day Dzo took us to meet his brother George Maxwell at his art gallery on the outskirts of Zurich. And that’s how I got to meet George, and he’s a lovely guy, and we became friends too. I admire George as an artist, he’s prolific, and constantly growing and exploring new ideas. That’s the kind of artist I want to be.

George Maxwell, Zurich, Switzerland + Eric Brombacher, Toronto, Canada

Flash forward a few years, and I’m in Kadelburg performing at a garden party, and George is there with his lovely wife. After the show, he approaches me, and amidst the compliments he proposes the idea that we ought to collaborate on a synth-pop song. Now, I’m a rock n’ roller, and normally my response to such a query would be a hard “no”, but I like George, and I respect him as an artist, so I decided to open my heart and mind, and give it a try. And I’m glad I did. The result is a song called “First Time”, and I’m quite proud of it. George wrote the music, and I wrote the words and the vocal melody. I also added some electric guitar to fill out some of the breaks. (I think this was the section where I was supposed to do some rapping, but this old rocker has his limits, so I stuck with what I know). George did a superb job in mixing and producing the track, and the result is an interesting mix of George’s electronic influences, and my country-rock, organic sensibilities. George also lent his talents as a visual artist to create the magnificent cover art.

Introducing “First Time” by George Maxwell & Eric Brombacher

Chances are, if you are on this site, you probably already know who I am, but just in case: My name is Eric Brombacher, and I am a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Toronto. I’m involved in several projects, but my main focus is my band Eric & The Soo which has been going strong since 2015. Now let’s learn some more about George…

George Maxwell is an accomplished artist whose work showcases his mastery of form, color, and composition. Maxwell’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the art world. His pieces are included in private collections, as well as corporate collections, and he continues to inspire and delight audiences with his creativity and talent.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Maxwell is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. He has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, sharing his knowledge and passion for art with those who seek to learn. His commitment to education and community has earned him respect and admiration from his peers and students alike.

With his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjectsMaxwell is a true master of his craft and a valued member of the art community. “ART IS THE KEY TO LIFE”

“First Time” by George Maxwell (featuring Eric Brombacher) is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, AppleMusic, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube and more. I hope you enjoy this.