Exclusive Interview with 'Jade LeMac'

18-year-old Jade LeMac is a musical artist and songwriter hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Her highly anticipated debut single “Constellations” was released Aug 11^th, 2021 and since then, Jade has surpassed 20 million streams, been added to multiple editorial playlists, and continues to grow her listenership and followers across all platforms. Jade has been writing songs from a young age and was only 13 years old when she landed her first cut and feature, leading to additional features released on EDM label Monstercat and more. Fast forward to 2020; Jade’s growth on TikTok has been astronomical due to her arresting vocal style and on-camera confidence, reaching a milestone of one-million followers in 2021. Her musical influences range from the likes of Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish, Adele, Sleeping at Last and more. Jade is gearing up for a big year in 2022, that involves releasing more music as well as her first EP. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how you got started?

Jade LeMac: I was born and raised in Victoria, Canada and moved over to Vancouver with my mom, and that’s when I started to look at music a lot differently than I had before. Of course, I always loved music and singing but I felt like I could never write anything and was constantly failing. But there was one day around that time, where I tried to rewrite ‘stay’ by Rihanna, and I fell in love with songwriting.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

Jade LeMac: I had a couple years of singing lessons here and there during middle school, and I really enjoyed it, however life got busy and I just didn’t have the time to put toward it. But I think it really helped develop a basic knowledge of my vocal mechanics. With piano and guitar, I am completely self-taught, and just use the instruments as a tool to help me write my songs. A goal of mine is to get back into lessons though! I think it’s a great way to refine and build skills!

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘Artist’?

Jade LeMac: I’ve had quite a few different inspirations throughout my career. One that stands out is the gorup Sleeping At Last. I was obsessed with their album, ‘Atlas: Year One’, and I remember so vividly how much their songwriting inspired me. Another person is Shawn Mendes. He has always been a huge inspiration to me, and I believe he has deeply influenced my view on music, and what it is to be an artist, and the music industry in general. As for my name – my full name is Jade Le MacPhail, but I go by Jade LeMac instead just because it sounds better rolling off the tongue.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

Jade LeMac: With my music, a key element for me has always been the lyrics. Since I write my own songs, I believe for a song to be good, the lyrics have to be outstanding. They have to be intentional and relatable, and be open for interpretation. I don’t like to put myself into one box and I like it when people can choose how my music makes them feel.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, from how it started?

Jade LeMac: My first appearance into the music industry was being featured on a couple EDM songs back in 2018. I knew at that point EDM was not my exact style of writing, but as a 13/14 year old I thought the opportunity was dope. After that, I knew music was for sure what I wanted to do – but if I was going to do it, I wanted it to be my own style so it could really represent who I was.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

Jade LeMac: I believe music is an amazing way to express any feeling at all. You can spread knowledge, awareness, love, or you can simply make a song about being “Aimed To Kill” (shameless plug!). I don’t believe music has any rules, and that’s the best part about it. I can write about ideas that inspire me or things that I am feeling. As an artist who is part of the LGBTQ community, there’s a certain responsibility that comes along with that. To be a voice and amplify others in this wonderful community. I think it’s a blessing to be able to be that for people and spread the love.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

Jade LeMac: I am a girl with big dreams. I always have been, and I always will be. I have had such a supportive group around me including my family, friends and all my fans and supporters. And with that, I want to be the best I can be. I am beyond grateful for everything that has happened in the past couple years, and I am so excited for the future to grow as a person and artist.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

Jade LeMac: When it comes to writing my songs, it usually starts off with an idea or title. I will then hop on my piano or guitar, find some chords, press record on voice memos, and start jamming out random nonsense hoping something cool comes out. And eventually, something does. Sometimes I can knock out a song in one night, but other times I will bring a small idea to my producer, Jason “JVP” Van Poederooyen, and we will work on it from there. He and I have grown this amazing understanding of each other, and we openly discuss the writing and production of the songs, in real time. I think having such a good relationship with my producer has helped so much with the making of my music.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

Jade LeMac: I feel like the hardest thing I have had to deal with is self-doubt or imposter syndrome. It comes and goes often, and when it gets into your head, it is very hard to get out.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

Jade LeMac: I think I will always remember my first release ‘Constellations’ as one of the biggest moments of my life and career simply because of how well it did for my first song. It was a crazy and exciting experience that I will always be grateful for.