It’s almost amazing how many singers and songwriters have quietly made their way from Canada to worldwide acclaim. The list of performers to do that is longer than most music fans realize, and one of the more recent musicians to put his name on that list is Mac DeMarco. He comes from humble roots, being born in Canada’s smallest city on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. He was also born with the name Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV, so you know that he’s grateful to be known as Mac DeMarco. His musical talents date back to middle school when his grandmother taught him to play guitar. After graduating high school, DeMarco became a full-time musician, backing up other musicians before getting his break. Not only has he turned himself into a great artist, but performing in front of an audience means a lot to him after coming from such humble roots and working his way up. That’s how you know that Demarco will put on a great show every time you see him perform live.

Can’t Put Your Finger On It

One of the great joys of seeing DeMarco perform live is enjoying the unique sound he creates because it doesn’t fit into one specific genre. Even during his early days, DeMarco played in several bands in high school: a punk band, an indie rock band, and he even played in an R&B one. He has mentioned everyone from Black Sabbath to Weezer to Sting to Cristopher Cross to Japanese music Haruomi Hosono as his influences. Regardless of how he got there, the only thing we know for sure is that DeMarco is magical with a guitar. The best thing to do is not try to put DeMarco in a box and simply enjoy the incredible music he makes.

Always Growing

Even fans who have seen DeMarco in concert in the past have a reason to keep coming back for more every chance they get. He’s always writing new songs and creating new music, sometimes releasing full-length albums but also releasing LPs and demos. He simply wants to put his music out into the world. DeMarco has also been nominated three times for the prestigious Polar Music Prize for album of the year. In other words, he’s long been recognized in his native Canada and should be enjoyed by audiences the world over.