Mac DeMarco
A slacker-rock pioneer whose woozy guitar tunes and off-kilter charm crafted a uniquely intimate and influential corner of indie music.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian musician·Birthday: April 30·Millennials
Biography
Mac DeMarco arrived sounding like a cassette tape found in a sun-bleached thrift store—a little warped, instantly familiar, and full of strange charm. With a gap-toothed grin and a penchant for goofing off, he disguised a sharp musical mind. His early work, like 'Salad Days', captured a specific feeling of listless youth with jangling, slightly out-of-tune guitars, whispered vocals, and a laid-back rhythm that belied its melodic sophistication. He built a DIY ethos into an aesthetic, recording much of his music himself and fostering a deeply personal connection with fans through ramshackle, humorous live shows. As he matured, albums like 'This Old Dog' revealed a more vulnerable songwriter, trading some jangle for acoustic introspection. By founding his own label and following his idiosyncratic muse, DeMarco proved that authenticity and a singular, relaxed vision could carve out a lasting and beloved space in modern music.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mac was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mac Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Mac's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- His 2014 album 'Salad Days' was a critical and commercial breakthrough, landing on numerous year-end lists and defining the 'jangle-pop' revival.
- Founded his own independent record label, Mac's Record Label, in 2018 to release his and other artists' work.
- Headlined major music festivals worldwide, including Coachella and Primavera Sound, building a massive dedicated fanbase.
Did You Know?
He lived in a shared communal house in Brooklyn early in his career, which became a notorious spot for DIY shows and parties.
He is known for his unusual stage antics, including climbing stage rigging and crowd-surfing while continuing to play guitar.
Many of his early songs were recorded using a simple tape machine, contributing to their distinctive lo-fi sound.
He was originally the guitarist and vocalist for the band Makeout Videotape before launching his solo career.
“I'm just trying to keep everything as simple as possible, you know?”
