Mac DeMarco

Biography

McBriare Samuel Lanyon DeMarco (born Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV; April 30, 1990) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. DeMarco initially emerged in the indie music scene in 2012, and has since released six full-length studio albums: his debut 2 (2012), Salad Days×Salad Days1 April 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Salad Days2:252Blue Boy2:063Brother3:324Let Her Go3:025Goodbye Weekend2:596Let My Baby Stay4:087Passing Out Pieces2:478Treat Her Better3:499Chamber of Reflection3:5110Go Easy3:2411Jonny’s Odyssey2:38 (2014), This Old Dog×This Old Dog5 May 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1My Old Man3:422This Old Dog2:313Baby You’re Out2:384For the First Time3:025One Another2:466Still Beating3:027Sister1:188Dreams From Yesterday3:279A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes2:4910One More Love Song4:0111On the Level3:4812Moonlight on the River7:0313Watching Him Fade Away2:23 (2017), Here Comes the Cowboy×Here Comes the Cowboy10 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Here Comes the Cowboy3:002Nobody3:323Finally Alone2:254Little Dogs March2:295Preoccupied4:006Choo Choo2:397K3:338Heart to Heart3:319Hey Cowgirl2:1610On the Square3:2911All of Our Yesterdays4:0412Skyless Moon4:0513Baby Bye Bye7:29 (2019), Five Easy Hot Dogs (2023) and Guitar (2025). He additionally released the mini-albums Rock and Roll Night Club×Rock and Roll Night Club13 March 2012 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Rock and Roll Night Club3:10296.7 The Pipe0:343Baby’s Wearing Blue Jeans3:334One More Tear to Cry4:055European Vegas3:176106.2 Breeze FM1:017She’s Really All I Need3:048Moving Like Mike2:589Me and Jon Hanging On2:4110I’m a Man2:3211Only You2:5912Me and Mine2:04 in 2012 and Another One×Another One7 August 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1The Way You’d Love Her2:362Another One2:413No Other Heart2:534Just to Put Me Down3:185A Heart Like Hers4:026I’ve Been Waiting for Her2:477Without Me2:578My House by the Water2:35 in 2015, as well as the compilation album One Wayne G×One Wayne G21 April 2023 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search) in 2023. In 2018, DeMarco established his own record label by the name of "Mac's Record Label".
Before his commercial debut Rock and Roll Night Club in 2012, he made music by the pseudonym "Makeout Videotape" on Bandcamp. Throughout 2009 to 2010 he released albums under this name until in 2011 when he moved from Vancouver to Montreal, and started working as a solo artist. In early 2012, DeMarco signed to indie label Captured Tracks and released his debut extended play, Rock and Roll Night Club, on vinyl. Earlier, Green Burrito Records released the album on a limited edition 100-unit cassette run.
His style of music has been described as "blue wave" and slacker rock, or, by DeMarco himself, "jizz jazz".

1990–2008: Early life and education

DeMarco was born in Duncan, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. His great-grandfather is Vernor Smith, Alberta's former Minister of Railways and Telephones, for whom DeMarco was named, and his grandfather (also named Vernor Winfield MacBriare Smith) was a judge of the Court of King's Bench of Alberta. His mother, Agnes DeMarco, later changed his name to McBriare Samuel Lanyon DeMarco after his father left and refused to pay child support when DeMarco was four years old. DeMarco is also of Italian descent.
Mac DeMarco attended McKernan School for junior high. Around this time he started playing guitar, with lessons from his grandmother. During high school he was in several bands, including indie rock band the Meat Cleavers, alternative R&B group the Sound of Love and post-punk band Outdoor Miners (along with current keyboardist, Alec Meen), which was named after "Outdoor Miner", a song by English rock band Wire. He started smoking cigarettes as a teenager, which would become a significant part of his image. In January 2023, DeMarco said he no longer smokes.
After graduating from Strathcona High School in Edmonton in 2008, DeMarco became a backing musician. He then moved to Vancouver.

2009–2012: Early projects and Rock and Roll Night Club

Living in the Killarney neighbourhood, he released a self-produced album, Heat Wave, as a part of the indie rock project Makeout Videotape in 2009. The album sold out its 500-unit run. DeMarco worked on "psychedelic" video projects during this time. He was joined by Alex Calder and Jen Clement, signed to Unfamiliar Records, and toured with Vancouver band Japandroids in 2009. In 2011, DeMarco moved from Vancouver to Montreal to begin recording as a solo artist. Failing to find work as a musician, he participated in medical experiments for money and worked on a road paving crew. On January 9, 2012, record label Captured Tracks announced the signing of DeMarco. In early 2012, he released an LP titled Rock and Roll Night Club×Rock and Roll Night Club13 March 2012 · EPSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Rock and Roll Night Club3:10296.7 The Pipe0:343Baby’s Wearing Blue Jeans3:334One More Tear to Cry4:055European Vegas3:176106.2 Breeze FM1:017She’s Really All I Need3:048Moving Like Mike2:589Me and Jon Hanging On2:4110I’m a Man2:3211Only You2:5912Me and Mine2:04. The four-track-recorded album features skits and slowed-down vocals.

2012–2015: 2, Salad Days and Another One

Captured Tracks released DeMarco's full-length follow-up album. Entitled 2, it was received well by critics, garnering a "Best New Music" designation from Pitchfork.
On January 21, 2014, DeMarco announced the release of his upcoming second album, Salad Days×Salad Days1 April 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Salad Days2:252Blue Boy2:063Brother3:324Let Her Go3:025Goodbye Weekend2:596Let My Baby Stay4:087Passing Out Pieces2:478Treat Her Better3:499Chamber of Reflection3:5110Go Easy3:2411Jonny’s Odyssey2:38, along with debuting the lead single "Passing Out Pieces×Passing Out Pieces14 January 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Passing Out Pieces2:47". The record was released on April 1, 2014, and again received the "Best New Music" designation from Pitchfork. It was a shortlisted nominee for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.
DeMarco made his first talk show appearance (and second TV appearance after The Eric Andre Show) when he performed the song "Let Her Go" on Conan on March 30, 2015. On April 22, 2015, DeMarco announced the release of an upcoming album titled Another One×Another One7 August 2015 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1The Way You’d Love Her2:362Another One2:413No Other Heart2:534Just to Put Me Down3:185A Heart Like Hers4:026I’ve Been Waiting for Her2:477Without Me2:578My House by the Water2:35, which was released on August 7, 2015, in addition to a video depicting its making. DeMarco describes the album to be a collection of love songs. Another One received a generally favourable response from music critics, scoring 75/100 on Metacritic. Still in Rock has ranked this LP as the third best of 2015.
On July 8, 2015, DeMarco released a 9-track instrumental album titled Some Other Ones×Some Other Ones8 July 2015 · EPSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 9 tracks1Little Pepper2:372Onion Man2:423Peters Pickles1:574Don Juan1:545Young Coconut2:406Hachiko2:407Fish Terry2:018Hoso Boyo3:009Special K2:18 and called it a "BBQ soundtrack". The album was later re-released in 2023 on streaming services.

2017–2018: This Old Dog

On January 31, 2017, DeMarco announced his third studio album, titled This Old Dog×This Old Dog5 May 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1My Old Man3:422This Old Dog2:313Baby You’re Out2:384For the First Time3:025One Another2:466Still Beating3:027Sister1:188Dreams From Yesterday3:279A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes2:4910One More Love Song4:0111On the Level3:4812Moonlight on the River7:0313Watching Him Fade Away2:23. He also released two singles from the album on the same day. This Old Dog was released on May 5, 2017.
On April 8, 2018, DeMarco appeared on FishCenter Live and participated in an interview with Max Simonet. He partnered with the non-profit organization Plus1 for his tours that year, and one dollar for every ticket purchase went to the Girls Rock Camp Alliance to: "[empower] girls, trans and gender-diverse young people through music education and mentorship."

2019–2020: Here Comes the Cowboy

On March 5, 2019, DeMarco announced his fourth studio album Here Comes the Cowboy×Here Comes the Cowboy10 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Here Comes the Cowboy3:002Nobody3:323Finally Alone2:254Little Dogs March2:295Preoccupied4:006Choo Choo2:397K3:338Heart to Heart3:319Hey Cowgirl2:1610On the Square3:2911All of Our Yesterdays4:0412Skyless Moon4:0513Baby Bye Bye7:29 and shared the first single off the album, "Nobody×Nobody5 March 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Nobody3:32". The album was released on May 10, 2019, on Mac's Record Label [sic]. The album received mixed reviews from critics and audiences upon release. It marked his first top ten appearance in the US Billboard 200 at number 10.
On September 7, 2020, DeMarco was featured on a collaboration with English artist Yellow Days, entitled "The Curse". On October 28, 2020, DeMarco was again featured on French musician Myd's single "Moving Men×Moving Men30 October 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Moving Men2:48". An animated version of DeMarco also appeared in the music video for the single. Released October 28, 2020, DeMarco also appeared in the music video for the song "Whatever You Want" by Crowded House. DeMarco contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Enter Sandman×Enter Sandman10 September 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Enter Sandman5:46" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.

2021–2023: Line-up changes, Five Easy Hot Dogs, "Heart to Heart" success and One Wayne G

In October 2021, DeMarco returned to live performances following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His return to the stage was marked by changes to his live band, with the departure of longtime members Joe McMurray, Andrew White and Jon Lent, and the addition of Daryl Johns (bass) and JD Beck (drums). Jon Lent left the band after being sentenced to two years in jail for sexual assault. DeMarco "immediately removed" Lent from the band after learning about his arrest. Andy White confirmed his departure shortly afterwards.
DeMarco released an instrumental album, Five Easy Hot Dogs×Five Easy Hot Dogs20 January 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Gualala2:432Gualala 22:263Crescent City2:274Portland3:055Portland 22:126Victoria2:417Vancouver2:378Vancouver 22:039Vancouver 32:4710Edmonton2:2311Edmonton 22:4412Chicago2:2413Chicago 22:1214Rockaway2:06, on January 20, 2023. The fourteen-track album was recorded in different locations during a road trip from Los Angeles to Utah.
During the week of Five Easy Hot Dogs' release, the track "Heart to Heart" from DeMarco's previous album, Here Comes the Cowboy×Here Comes the Cowboy10 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Here Comes the Cowboy3:002Nobody3:323Finally Alone2:254Little Dogs March2:295Preoccupied4:006Choo Choo2:397K3:338Heart to Heart3:319Hey Cowgirl2:1610On the Square3:2911All of Our Yesterdays4:0412Skyless Moon4:0513Baby Bye Bye7:29, became a viral hit on TikTok. As a result, the song became DeMarco's first to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 83. The song also reached the top 10 and top 5 of Billboard's Hot Rock Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts, respectively.
On April 21, 2023, DeMarco released his first compilation album titled One Wayne G×One Wayne G21 April 2023 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search), online only, without any prior announcement. The album, released without prior announcement, featured 199 tracks of instrumental and demo recordings made between 2018 and 2023. With a runtime of just a little under nine hours, it received positive coverage for its experimental format and intimate atmosphere.

2025–present: Guitar, "Secret Albums"

In 2024, DeMarco recorded an album titled Hear The Music, which was not announced or released to the public.
On April 8, 2025, DeMarco announced a tour beginning in August and ending in December 2025. The tour was set to be held following the release of his new album, which he additionally announced would be released in August 2025. DeMarco later announced additional tour dates in Europe in 2026.
On June 24, 2025, Mac revealed the title of the album to be Guitar×Guitar22 August 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Shining3:082Sweeter2:593Phantom1:504Nightmare2:175Terror3:046Rock and Roll3:027Home2:128Nothing at All3:179Punishment2:0110Knockin2:2111Holy2:2512Rooster2:25 and announced a release date of August 22, 2025. The announcement coincided with the release of a lead single, "Home". The album was recorded in November 2024 in Mac's home studio in Los Angeles, with DeMarco recording, mixing, and producing the album himself and David Ives mastering.
During the European leg of the Guitar tour, DeMarco hid copies of a "secret album" for fans to find. The album, titled Dog On The Rock×Dog on the Rock21 November 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks120251007 A3:41220251007 B3:17320251007 C1:29420251007 D2:39520251007 22:38620251008 A2:50720251008 B1:29820251009 A1:48920251009 B3:2710202510103:4511202510112:051220251011 22:3913202510142:1314202510152:2915202510162:04, was uploaded to the internet by fans who found the hidden CD-R copies. A second album, titled Seven Off The Two×Seven Off the Two4 December 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1202511217:502202511222:453202511232:144202511252:235202511262:046202511272:347202511292:228202511302:27, was found by fans in Canada and subsequently uploaded to Soundcloud. These albums, alongside similar "secret albums" Seaplane Dog×Seaplane Dog28 August 2026 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1202601062:24220260107 2 Madam Crown3:14320260109 Wave Goodbye2:304202601112:435202601122:036202601182:177202601203:048202601212:169202601233:0110202601262:5411202601272:4712202601282:4813202601292:1614202602042:2315202602052:4216202602061:55 and The View from Tian Tian, were uploaded to streaming on August 28th, 2026.

Artistry

DeMarco's style employs the use of flat drums (little or no reverberation or dynamic range compression), chorus and vibrato effects on the guitar and a generally lazy atmosphere à la soft rock records, muted and low frequency bass guitars. He has mentioned Michael Jackson, Neil Young, Shuggie Otis, Black Sabbath, Christopher Cross, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Jonathan Richman, Genesis, Sting and Weezer as favourite artists. He has also cited Japanese musician Haruomi Hosono as his favourite artist. DeMarco's music has been generally termed as indie rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and lo-fi. His guitar-based compositions have moved from glam-inspired works to what reviewers describe as "off-kilter pop" or "folk rock". DeMarco has self identified his style as "jizz jazz", going as far as naming his apartment studio Jizz Jazz Studios, as mentioned in a documentary starring himself, Pepperoni Playboy. DeMarco has pointed to artists such as John Maus, Ariel Pink, Brian Eno, Daniel Lopatin, Isao Tomita, Joe Meek and R. Stevie Moore as influences on his reel-to-reel production style.

Personal life

From 2011 to 2012, DeMarco lived in Montreal, Canada, before moving to Brooklyn, New York. From 2013 to 2016 he was based in the Far Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, New York, Afterwards, he resided in Los Angeles, where he regularly hosted jam sessions with musicians and friends such as Thundercat and the late Mac Miller. In 2025, DeMarco purchased a one-hundred-year-old farmhouse on Pender Island in British Columbia.
DeMarco is a fan of the Edmonton Oilers, his hometown ice hockey team. His 2023 album One Wayne G×One Wayne G21 April 2023 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search) is named for Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky, with its 199-song length referencing Gretzky's 99 jersey number.
Since 2009, DeMarco has been in a relationship with Kiera McNally. The couple met as teenagers in Edmonton, Alberta.

Mac's Record Label

In 2018, DeMarco launched his own record label titled 'Mac's Record Label'. In 2021, the first artist to be signed was Tex Crick with his album Live in... New York City, followed by Vicky Farewell with her album Sweet Company in 2022.

Backing band members

Current members

Alec Meen – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion (2017–present), guitar (2021–2023)
Pedro Martins — bass guitar (2023), electric guitar, backing vocals (2024–present)
Daryl Johns — bass guitar, backing vocals (2021–2022, 2024-present), drums (2023)
Phillippe Melanson — drums, backing vocals (2025–present)
Former members

Peter Sagar – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2012–2014)
Pierce McGarry – bass guitar, backing vocals (2012–2016)
Joe McMurray – drums, occasional backing vocals (2012–2020)
Alex Calder — guitar (2012)
Ryan Boyce — drums (2012)
Andy White – guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2014–2020)
Jon Lent — bass guitar (2012, 2016–2020), keyboards, percussion (2015–2016)
Rory McCarthy — bass guitar (2016)

JD Beck — drums (2021–2022)
Chris Fishman — drums (2024)

Solo

Studio albums

2 (2012)
Salad Days (2014)
This Old Dog (2017)
Here Comes the Cowboy (2019)
Five Easy Hot Dogs (2023)
Guitar (2025)
Mini-LPs

Rock and Roll Night Club (2012)
Another One (2015)
Compilations

One Wayne G (2023)
Demos

● Another (Demo) One (2016)
● Old Dog Demos (2018)
● Here Comes the Cowboy Demos (2020)
● Other Here Comes the Cowboy Demos (2020)

With Makeout Videotape

Adapted from the Bandcamp music store.
Studio albums

Extended plays (EPs)