Morando was born in Los Angeles and started playing drums as a child. He met future Liily bandmates through music classes and developed a close working relationship with them over many years. As a member of Liily, he has helped shape the band’s energetic alternative-rock sound. In December 2025, Cyrus and Morando became engaged, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times.
Maxx Morando at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Maxx Morando |
| Birth year | 1998 |
| Age | 27, as of October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Profession | Drummer, songwriter, and producer |
| Current band | Liily |
| Former band | The Regrettes |
| Instruments and work | Drums and music production, among other contributions |
| Known collaborations | Miley Cyrus recordings, including work on Endless Summer Vacation |
| Relationship | Engaged to Miley Cyrus; engagement reported in December 2025 |
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Morando was born and raised in Los Angeles. Music became part of his life early: in an interview with Modern Drummer, he said he had been playing drums since he was eight and had joined the School of Rock in Hollywood. He was 18 at the time of that 2016 interview.
School of Rock gave Morando a place to practice and perform with other young musicians. It also helped him meet people who would later become bandmates. In a 2026 interview with Wonderland, Morando recalled meeting Liily vocalist Dylan Nash and guitarist Sam De La Torre through music-related classes and activities when they were children. The group’s long history as friends and collaborators has remained part of Liily’s identity.
Morando’s early experience was rooted in playing with other musicians, not simply practicing alone. Performing in a band requires listening closely, keeping time, and adjusting to the music around you. Drummers in particular help define a song’s momentum and dynamics. Those skills became central to his work in both The Regrettes and Liily.
Playing Drums with The Regrettes
Morando became known as the drummer for The Regrettes, a Los Angeles punk-rock band that emerged in the mid-2010s. The group’s lineup included singer and guitarist Lydia Night, guitarist Genessa Gariano, bassist Sage Chavis, and Morando on drums. The band built an audience through energetic performances and a sound influenced by punk, rock, and older pop and rock styles.
In 2016, Morando spoke with Modern Drummer about recording The Regrettes’ debut album. He described the experience of recording live with the band in the same room and learning how to relax into a performance rather than overthink every take. The interview gives a glimpse into his approach to drumming: he valued the feel of playing naturally, as he would during a live show.
The Regrettes released their debut album, Feel Your Feelings Fool!, in 2017. Morando played drums during the band’s early years and appeared with them at festivals and on tour. He left the group in 2018. His time with The Regrettes gave him experience in recording, touring, and performing for growing audiences while still a young musician.
Liily and the Los Angeles Rock Scene
Morando is the drummer for Liily, a Los Angeles rock band made up of longtime friends. The group also includes Dylan Nash on vocals, Sam De La Torre on guitar, and Charlie Anastasis on bass. In a recent 2026 Wonderland feature, Morando described the band’s connection as “pretty brotherly,” reflecting how many members have known each other since childhood.
Liily’s music combines raw rock energy with experimental touches. The band released its early work as a series of singles and EPs, including I Can Fool Anybody in This Town in 2019. Its debut full-length album, TV or Not TV, followed in 2021. The group later released a self-titled EP in 2024.
Morando’s role in Liily goes beyond keeping the beat. The band records and develops much of its music together, and the members have increasingly taken a hands-on role in production. In the Wonderland interview, Morando described the band’s recording space in an Airstream trailer and said its next music was finished and on the way. He characterized the forthcoming material as an especially honest representation of the band’s sound.
Liily’s long-standing friendships affect how the members work together. In the interview, Morando explained that the band has grown up together and has remained a musical unit through changes and challenges. That shared history gives the group a close internal chemistry, while its evolving sound reflects the musicians’ growth.
Work with Miley Cyrus
Morando has contributed to Cyrus’s music as a collaborator, producer, and musician. He worked on songs from her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation, including “Handstand” and “Violet Chemistry.” The credits for “Violet Chemistry” list him among the producers, as reported by Pitchfork.
He also contributed to Cyrus’s later music. In a 2026 interview with Apple Music, Cyrus discussed Morando’s role in reshaping “Aftermath,” a song on her album Bass Persuades. According to MusicRadar’s report, Morando suggested giving the song a stronger backbeat, prompting Cyrus to take it in a different direction.
The collaboration links Morando’s experience in a rock band with Cyrus’s work as a pop artist. Production involves more than playing instruments: collaborators can help shape arrangements, suggest changes, and determine how a song develops. His contributions show that his work extends beyond live drumming.
Relationship with Miley Cyrus
Morando and Cyrus were first publicly linked in 2021. Their relationship developed largely away from the spotlight, although they began making occasional public appearances together. They attended the 2024 Grammy Awards and other entertainment events, and the Los Angeles Times reported that they were engaged in December 2025 after appearing together at the premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
In 2026, Morando discussed the attention that came with dating one of the world’s best-known musicians in the Wonderland feature. He described being unaccustomed to people waiting outside places and the heightened attention around public events. He also said he enjoys accompanying Cyrus to certain events to support her work.
Although the relationship has increased interest in Morando’s personal life, he has continued to maintain a relatively private public profile. His identity as a musician remains central to his career, and much of his professional life is tied to Liily and his work as a collaborator and producer.
Musical Style and Approach
As a drummer, Morando’s work is built around rhythm, energy, and interaction with other musicians. In a rock band, the drums help establish the pace and shape transitions between sections. A drummer also has to leave space for vocals and instruments while contributing a distinctive feel to the track.
Morando’s early interview about recording with The Regrettes highlights the importance he places on feel. He said that becoming less tense during recording helped him play more naturally. This emphasis on a performance’s energy is consistent with Liily’s live-oriented sound and collaborative recording process.
His production work adds another dimension to his musical identity. Working on arrangements and song development requires listening from a broader perspective than a single instrument. Morando’s credits with Cyrus suggest he brings ideas from his background in rock into a pop recording environment, while continuing to play and create with his band.
Career Highlights
| Year | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Childhood | Started playing drums and attended School of Rock | Built early performance experience and formed connections with future collaborators |
| 2015–2018 | Drummer for The Regrettes | Recorded and toured with a rising Los Angeles punk-rock band |
| 2019 | Liily released I Can Fool Anybody in This Town | Helped introduce the band’s sound to a wider audience |
| 2021 | Liily released debut album TV or Not TV | Marked the band’s first full-length album |
| 2023 | Collaborated on Miley Cyrus’s Endless Summer Vacation | Expanded his work into pop production and songwriting |
| 2024 | Liily released a self-titled EP | Reflected a renewed creative direction for the band |
| 2025 | Engagement to Miley Cyrus reported | Brought increased public attention to Morando’s personal life |
| 2026 | Discussed new Liily music and production work | Showed his ongoing activity as a drummer and collaborator |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maxx Morando?
Maxx Morando is an American drummer, songwriter, and producer. He plays in the Los Angeles rock band Liily and previously drummed for The Regrettes.
How old is Maxx Morando?
He was born in 1998 and is 27 years old as of October 2026. He turns 28 in November 2026.
Where was Maxx Morando born?
Morando was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.
What band is Maxx Morando in?
He is the drummer for Liily, a Los Angeles rock band. The band’s other members are Dylan Nash, Sam De La Torre, and Charlie Anastasis.
Was Maxx Morando in The Regrettes?
Yes. He played drums with The Regrettes from the band’s early period through 2018.
Is Maxx Morando engaged to Miley Cyrus?
Yes. Their engagement was reported in December 2025 after they appeared together at the premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Has Maxx Morando worked with Miley Cyrus professionally?
Yes. He contributed to songs on Cyrus’s Endless Summer Vacation and later collaborated on her music as a producer and musician.
What albums has Liily released?
Liily released the EP I Can Fool Anybody in This Town in 2019, its debut album TV or Not TV in 2021, and a self-titled EP in 2024.
Is Maxx Morando active on social media?
Morando keeps a comparatively low public profile. For current announcements, readers can follow Liily’s official channels and published interviews.
Final Word
Maxx Morando’s story is first and foremost a music career. He began playing drums as a child, developed his craft in Los Angeles bands, and built long-running musical relationships with the people who became Liily. His years with The Regrettes gave him early touring and recording experience, while Liily has provided a continuing home for his work as a drummer and collaborator.
His production and songwriting contributions to Miley Cyrus’s music have broadened his professional reach, and their engagement has made him a more familiar name to entertainment audiences. Still, Morando’s work with Liily and his ongoing musical projects remain central to understanding his career.