Mac DeMarco

Mac DeMarco

Mac DeMarco performing at Gothic Theatre in 2014
Background information
Birth name Vernor Winfield Macbriare Smith IV
Born (1990-04-30) April 30, 1990
Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Origin Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • singer-songwriter
Instruments
  • guitar
  • vocals
  • bass
  • drums
  • keyboards
Years active 2008-present
Labels
Associated acts

Macbriare Samuel Lanyon "Mac" DeMarco (born Vernor Winfield Macbriare Smith IV, April 30, 1990) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He is best known for his solo career, during which he has released four studio albums, Rock and Roll Night Club (2012), 2 (2012), Salad Days (2014), and Another One (2015).[3] His style of music has been creatively described as "blue wave",[4] "slacker rock",[5] or self-described by DeMarco as the non-sequitur "jizz jazz".[6][7]

Life and career

Mac DeMarco was born in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. During high school he was in several bands, including The Meat Cleavers, The Sound of Love and Outdoor Miners (named after a song by English rock band Wire).[8][9] His great-grandfather is Vernor Smith, Alberta's former Minister of Railways and Telephones, for whom DeMarco was named.[9] His mother later changed his name to Macbriare Samuel Lanyon DeMarco.[9] DeMarco is also of Italian descent.[10]

After graduating from high school in Edmonton in 2008, he moved to Vancouver.[11] Living in the Killarney neighbourhood, he released a self-produced album, Heat Wave, calling himself Makeout Videotape in 2009. The album sold out its 500-unit run.[12] DeMarco worked on "psychedelic" video projects during this time.[11] He was joined by Alex Calder and Jen Clement, signed to Unfamiliar Records, and toured with Vancouver band Japandroids in 2009.[11] 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[13] and worked on a road paving crew.[14] In early 2012, he released an EP titled Rock and Roll Night Club. The four-track-recorded album features skits and slowed-down vocals.[13] It impressed his new label, Captured Tracks, enough that they agreed to release a full-length album.[13] This release, entitled 2, was received well by critics, garnering a "Best New Music" designation from Pitchfork Media.[15] One of his songs, "Moving Like Mike",[16] was licensed by U.S. retail outlet Target for a commercial.[13]

On January 21, 2014, DeMarco announced the release of his upcoming second album, Salad Days, along with debuting the lead single "Passing Out Pieces" The record was released on April 1, 2014,[17] and again received the "Best New Music" designation from Pitchfork.[18] It was a shortlisted nominee for the 2014 Polaris Music Prize.[19] Captured Tracks has announced a subscription series called "The Wonderful World of Mac DeMarco 7" Club Vol. 1". Subscribers will receive two 7" records every six to eight weeks containing various recordings by DeMarco.[20]

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.[21] On April 22, 2015, DeMarco announced the release of an upcoming mini album titled Another One, which was released on August 7, 2015, in addition to a video depicting the making of Another One.[22] De Marco describes the mini album to be a collection of love songs, "It's just kind of like every angle of how somebody might feel if they're having strange feelings in their chest."[23] On May 11, 2015, Captured Tracks released the first single of Another One, titled "The Way You'd Love Her".[24] Another One received a generally favorable response from music critics, scoring 75/100 on Metacritic.[25] Still in Rock has ranked this LP as the 3rd best of 2015.[26]

On July 8, 2015, DeMarco released a 9 track instrumental album titled Some Other Ones and called it a "BBQ soundtrack".[27] Later that evening, he hosted a listening party in New York City (where DeMarco is currently based) for fans to hear Another One, where fans could get free hot dogs if they donated to a food bank.[28]

In an interview with Mr. Wavvy released on August 19, 2015, DeMarco suggested that he would release Makeout Videotape material on vinyl in the near future.[29]

Style

DeMarco's style of music is easily recognizable via its use of low bass, punchy drums and a generally hazy atmosphere a la soft rock records, along with a Lennon-esque vocal style which has also been compared to Damon Albarn of Blur. He has also mentioned Shuggie Otis, Steely Dan, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Jonathan Richman and The Grateful Dead as favorite artists.[30] His guitar-based compositions have moved from glam-inspired works to what reviewers describe as "off-kilter pop".[13]

Backing band members

DeMarco performing at Austin City Limits in 2014
Current members[31][32][33]
Former members[34]

Discography

Mini LPs

Studio albums

With Makeout Videotape

References

  1. 1 2 Lynch, Marley (February 21, 2013). "FYF 2013 artist spotlight: Mac DeMarco". Time Out. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ Mapes, Jillian (April 1, 2014). "Mac DeMarco is the Slacker With a Heart of Gold on the Endearing 'Salad Days'". Spin. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Review of Another One by Still in Rock "
  4. ↑ "Brooklyn based Music Blog: Album Review : Mac DeMarco - 2 (Blue Wave)". Still in Rock. 2004-02-26. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  5. ↑ Whelan, Alex. "Mac DeMarco's new record shines with its Montreal roots". Arizona Daily Wildcat. University of Arizona. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  6. ↑ Lindsay, Cam. "Mac DeMarco". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  7. ↑ "Mac DeMarco Salad Days Hangout On Air". YouTube. 2014-03-26. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  8. ↑ Hoby, Hermoine (March 22, 2014). "Mac DeMarco: 'I live like a scumbag, but it's cheap'". theguardian.com. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 Sharp, Elliott (October 29, 2013). "The Big Story: 2 Sketchy Days With Mac DeMarco". Red Bull. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ DeMarco, Mac (March 31, 2016). "RE: RYAN PARIS: SAY THANKS TO MAC DEMARCO ABOUT THE DOLCE VITA TRIBUTE VIDEO". youtube.com. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 Thomas, Fred. "Biography". Mac DeMarco. Allmusic. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Fumano, Dan. "Makeout Videotape". Discorder. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Traynor, Cian. "Interview: Mac DeMarco". The Stool Pigeon. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  14. ↑ Kimbasha, Michelle. "Freaking Out The Neighbourhood: Mac DeMarco". Clashmusic.com. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  15. ↑ Hockley-Smith, Sam. "Mac DeMarco - 2". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  16. ↑ "Mac DeMarco: Rock and Roll Night Club EP | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  17. ↑ Minsker, Evan. "Mac DeMarco Details New Album "Salad Days," Shares "Passing Out Pieces"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  18. ↑ Hogan, Mark (April 1, 2014). "Mac DeMarco Salad Days". Pitchfork Media.
  19. ↑ "Arcade Fire, Drake, Shad make Polaris Music Prize short list | Entertainment & Showbiz from CTV News". Ctvnews.ca. 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  20. ↑ Minsker, Evan (March 1, 2014). "Mac DeMarco Announces 7" Subscription Series". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Mac DeMarco Performs "Let Her Go" on "Conan" | News". Pitchfork. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  22. ↑ "Making Of Another One". YouTube. 2015-04-22. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  23. ↑ "Mac DeMarco Explains His Mini-Album Of Love Songs, Track By Track". NPR.org. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  24. ↑ "Mac DeMarco // The Way You'd Love Her (Official Single)". YouTube. 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  25. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Another One". Metacritic. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  26. ↑ Best LPs of 2015 – Top 20 “Still in Rock”
  27. ↑ "NME News Mac DeMarco releases instrumental album 'Some Other Ones'". Nme.com. 2015-07-08. Retrieved 2015-08-13.
  28. ↑ Minsker, Evan (July 7, 2015). "Mac DeMarco Throwing Listening Party and BBQ in Brooklyn Tomorrow". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  29. ↑ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnUSXnz5F6A)
  30. ↑ Minsker, Evan. "Mac DeMarco". Guest Lists. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  31. ↑ Minsker, Evan (25 November 2012). "Stream the New Cassette from Mac DeMarco's Other Band, Walter TV". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  32. ↑ Nettle, Avery (7 November 2012). "We Interviewed Pierce McGarry, Bassist for Mac DeMarco, and Maker of Creepy Videos". Vice. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  33. ↑ Coplan, Chris (12 September 2014). "Mac DeMarco covers Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You" and introduces his new guitarist". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  34. ↑ Ambler, Charlie (20 November 2014). "Mac Demarco's Ex-Guitarist Makes Really Sexy Slacker Rock". Vice. Retrieved 6 September 2015.

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