Max Clarke and his Cut Worms appear to be well on their way to good times and good places.
Hailing from just outside of Cleveland and now living in Brooklyn, Clarke began his songwriting project back in 2015 and it’s already taken him all over the map. Just over a decade later, he’s recently released his fourth studio album, Transmitter, a batch of ten songs produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco fame.
But devoted fans of Clarke have already been tracking his steady rise. Evidence comes in the form of consistently positive press for his albums, all of them released on Jagjaguwar. Clarke — who did produce one of his records — has also been filling venues across the country on his current tour.
Cut Worms packed Union Stage in Washington, DC, the night of April 17, where eager listeners gathered to hear songs from his newest release along with some favorites from his earlier albums.
Listen to Cut Worms newest album, Transmitter, released last month on Jagjaguwar:
With each of his studio projects, Clarke’s built on his classic pop-rock sound — his songs might sound like they’d be played in some early 1960s ice cream shop. His influences can certainly be heard, but the implore in his voice gives Cut Worms a one-of-its kind sensitivity.
At Union Stage this past Friday night, Clarke served up every song from Transmitter, including tracks like “Evil Twin” and “Windows on the World.” Those on hand heard “Veteran’s Day” and “Last Words to a Refugee,” just a couple of the lasting tunes from 2020’s Nobody Lives Here Anymore. “Ballad of the Texas King” from his 2023 self-titled release was another of the night’s treats.
Clarke — who’s also an illustrator — was joined in DC by Kevin Lareau on bass, John DeLorme on pedal steel and electric guitar, Static Zach on drums, and Joe Schorgl on another electric.
But he was also joined by a separate group of terrific musicians. The night’s opening act, Liam Kazar, also impressed the Union Stage crowd.
Listen to Liam Kazar’s newest album, Pilot Light, released in November of 2025:
A three-man band that featured Spencer Tweedy on drums, Kazar’s crew performed tracks from his newest record, Pilot Light released last fall, and from his premiere, 2021’s Due North.
Parklife DC was there to take in both sets.
Cut Worms Setlist
Worlds Unknown
Evil Twin
Long Weekend
Don’t Look Down
A Sunset
Won’t Be Too Long
Always On My Mind
Shut In
Out of Touch
Ballad of the Texas King
Castle In The Clouds
Dream
Last Words To A Refugee
Walk in an Absent Mind
Windows on the World
Barfly
Living Inside
Don’t Want to Say Good-bye
Song of the Highest Tower
Encore
Walk Away
Veteran’s Day
Below are digital shots of Cut Worms along with the night’s opening act, Liam Kazar, performing at Union Stage on April 17, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Cut Worms
Liam Kazar
