A multi-instrumentalist and multi-media musician, Canadian Mac DeMarco became an unlikely star as a performer turned successful recording artist.
Originally from Duncan, British Columbia in Canada, DeMarco - real name Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV - was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, and first got into music playing in high school indie bands. After graduation he moved to Vancouver and released his self-produced debut album 'Heat Wave' in 2009. He started working on video projects and joined forces with Alex Calder and Jen Clement and toured with Vancouver band Japandroids. He moved to Montreal in an attempt to launch his solo career, but after struggling to raise any interest in his work, he eventually released a partly experimental mini-LP 'Rock and Roll Night Club' in 2012; it did well enough to persuade the record label Captured Tracks to invest in his first full-length album, '2'.
Two years later he embarked on his second album, 'Salad Days' and, helped by the success of lead single 'Passing Out Pieces', the record broadened his appeal considerably and was even shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. He went on to release an instrumental record which he described as a "barbecue soundtrack", fully utilising his love of effects, lo-fi production and atmospheric soundscapes. In 2017 his reputation was enhanced further with the release of his new album 'This Old Dog', recorded following his move to Los Angeles.
Artist biography compiled by BDS/West 10. All rights reserved
