In the early 2010s, it seemed as if everyone in indie rock wanted to be Mac demarco.The Canadian was the ultimate slacker success story, traversing the globe playing sold-out shows with a guitar in one hand, a half-drunk whiskey bottle in the other adn a cigarette dangling from his lips. These days, at 35, DeMarco is already encountering a new generation that just doesn’t see the appeal. “It’s frustrating for me when I meet these young musicians who are like: ‘Oh, touring is so hard and exhausting,'” he says. His tone, at first incredulous, turns lightly mocking. “Maybe there are just too many nepo babies now that are used to sunning themselves in the south of France every summer going: ‘Oh Papa, this venue is so dark and stinky.I’d rather be on the shores of Marseille…'”
Much has changed for DeMarco since those debauched days in 2012 when he first sauntered onto the scene with his sleazy and subversive mini-album Rock and Roll Night club and its
Mac DeMarco: ‘The music industry always wants you to play the bigger rock box, but the bigger rock box, I found, sucks’
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DeMarco was born in duncan, British Columbia and raised by his mother in Edmonton, Alberta; after finishing high school he moved first to Vancouver and then to Montreal, where he found himself in the city’s warehouse music scene, gaining attention with his jangly garage rock and the DIY surrealism of his homemade music videos. I was there for some of DeMarco’s early shows in Canada and his London debut,and remember well the febrile,anything-could-happen energy that would crackle through the room whenever he took the stage. These days, he’s more confident that his songs can stand on their own.
“We could rock back in the day, but if s** started going sideways then I’d be like: ‘Well, if I jump in the crowd, nobody’s gonna remember the bad songs. They’re just gonna remember me jumping in the crowd.’ It worked like a charm!” he remembers. “We wouldn’t have been able to do a quiet show that was still impactful back then. I don’t even know if I could sing like that. It just wouldn’t have worked.”
DeMarco mania arguably peaked around 2014’s Salad Days, a woozy, psychedelic album of low-stress bops, anchored by DeMarco’s mesmerically off-key guitar tuning. It was a time when his cult allure was so powerful he often found himself playing to rooms full of people dressed just like him.That record’s dreamy,synth-like “Chamber of reflection” remains a mainstay on TikTok,and has been streamed almost a billion times. Even as his popularity swelled, DeMarco belied his slacker image by producing new work, entirely self-written and self-produced, at a reliable clip. 2015’s keys-lead Another One was followed by the more experimental This Old Dog in 2017 and the McCartney-esque Here Comes The Cowboy* in 2019.”I was trying to re-record everything, moving drum microphones around and building weird huts in my garage to change the sound…it got to the point where I was like, ‘This is ridiculous’. I was spending so much time trying to make it perfect, and it just wasn’t working.”
Mac DeMarco Prioritizes Authenticity and intimacy in Music and Touring
Mac DeMarco, the acclaimed indie rock artist, continues to chart his own course in the music industry, prioritizing a genuine connection with his audience and a “pure and real” creative process. In a recent interview, DeMarco discussed his approach to music-making, touring, and his aversion to the spectacle often associated with larger-scale performances. His latest album,Guitar,released on August 22nd,embodies this beliefs.
The Pursuit of Artistic Authenticity
DeMarco views artistic creation as a personal journey, likening it to climbing a mountain. “It’s about intention,” he explains. “If people want to climb the mountain,I guess you use the tools you can to get up there. I don’t know what you’re gonna find when you get up there, but hopefully you’re happy.” This sentiment underscores his belief in the importance of individual expression and the value of the human element in art.
He emphasizes this point when discussing his new album, Guitar, stating, “There’s a satisfaction I have with this kind of thing, because of how pure and real it feels to me. It’s supremely of me. The most important part of art is the human element, I think. Be it good or bad, that’s what I want to hear.” This dedication to authenticity extends to his rejection of artificial intelligence in his music. He firmly believes that the imperfections and personal touch inherent in human creation are what make art truly compelling.
A Modest Approach to Touring
DeMarco’s commitment to intimacy extends to his touring style. He and his band will embark on a tour spanning the US, Europe, Canada, and Japan later this month, traveling in a modest sprinter van rather than a large tour bus. This preference stems from a intentional choice to avoid the impersonal nature of arena-sized venues.
“The music industry always wants you to play the bigger rock box, but the bigger rock box, I found, sucks,” DeMarco stated. He prefers playing multiple nights in medium-sized venues, fostering a more direct connection with his fans. He explicitly rejects elaborate stage productions, stating, “I’m not about to get a video wall and s.No disrespect to the video wall. Big bands that do a crazy light show, that’s fing amazing. It’s just not me.”
This preference for smaller, more intimate settings allows DeMarco to deliver a more personal and engaging experience for his audience, aligning with his overall artistic vision.
Guitar Release and Tour Dates
Mac DeMarco’s album Guitar was released on August 22nd, 2024. His tour schedule includes:
US Dates: Beginning August 29th, 2024
UK Dates: Starting November 8th, 2024
For a complete list of tour dates and ticket facts, visit his official website: https://www.macdemarco.com/tour
Key Takeaways
Authenticity is Paramount: Mac DeMarco prioritizes genuine artistic expression and rejects artificial enhancements like AI.
Intimacy Over Spectacle: He favors smaller venues and a modest touring setup to foster a closer connection with his audience.
* Personal Journey: DeMarco views music-making as a personal exploration, valuing the process as much as the outcome.
Mac DeMarco’s continued dedication to authenticity and intimacy sets him apart in the music industry. As he embarks on his latest tour, fans can expect a raw and genuine experience that reflects his unique artistic vision.His approach serves as a reminder that the most impactful art often comes from a place of vulnerability and human connection.