An Interview with Jade LeMac: The Making of a Modern Pop Storyteller

At just 21 years old, Jade LeMac has already carved out a distinct space in modern pop with her emotionally honest songwriting, dreamy melodies, and viral beginnings. From teaching herself piano and guitar to building a devoted audience on TikTok, Jade’s journey reflects a new generation of artists redefining what it means to break into the music industry. Her music has also found a home on screen, with standout sync placements in films like Sidelined: The QB and Sidelined 2: Intercepted, as well as Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys. In this interview, Jade opens up about her creative process, inspirations, touring experiences, sync success, and what’s next as she continues to grow into her artistry.

First off, how did you get your start in music?

Jade LeMac: I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, but it wasn’t until I was around 11 or 12 that I realized I could write songs. I rewrote “Stay” by Rihanna, and that’s when I thought, “Okay, I can write lyrics and stuff.” Santa got me a keyboard for Christmas, and I taught myself chords and started writing my own songs. Around 13, I featured on some EDM tracks, but it wasn’t until later on in life, around 15 or 16, when I started TikTok, and that’s when I was like, “okay, this is a great way to get my music, the music that I wrote myself out there.

That was kind of the first step into the music industry. And then, of course, “Constellations” was the first song that I put out. And everything, everything went from there.

Would you say TikTok was instrumental in your growth?

Jade LeMac: Yeah, it’s been a big part of my growth. I mean, starting out on that app, I never had the intention of it becoming what it’s become. I kind of just started for fun, and I was posting more comedy and stuff about my identity and all that. I naturally started having this engagement with this group of people … once I hit like 40,000 followers, I was like, “this is a great way to do what I wanted to do and use this as a way to get my foot in the door of the music industry.”

Who inspires you, musically or otherwise?

Jade LeMac: When I was younger, I think I listened to a lot of Shawn Mendes, and he came from Vine, so that was like a thing where he came from another social media app. Oh, and he’s Canadian too. And I remember him being a big inspiration. And also Justin Bieber and The Weeknd.

And I remember in middle school, a big writing inspiration was Sleeping At Last. I really loved them. And then another inspiration has always been my mom, and my family and friends in general.

You’ve had sync placements with “Pink Balloon” and “Constellations.” How does it feel to hear your music in films?

Jade LeMac: It’s pretty surreal. “Pink Balloon” was just in the movie Sidelined 2: Intercepted, and I talked with some of the actors and the director of the movie, and they’re all so amazing and supportive of my music, which is such a cool feeling and to have that connection and everything.

And just like hearing all that stuff, of people hearing “Pink Balloon” in a movie, or even just like hearing songs out in the wild. Like, my mom would text me all the time, being like, “My friend just heard ‘Running Home’ in Sephora” or something. It’s always quite a crazy feeling because I feel like it’s never real.

What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists looking for sync placements?

Jade LeMac: I would say to just put yourself out there. And don’t be scared to even ask in a way, like hint at it. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of things on social media being like, “Oh my God, guys, this song is very … it’s giving this, or it’s giving that.” I feel like that could lead to so many amazing connections. Just put yourself out there, don’t be scared of what other people might think, and write what you feel. Write what comes to the heart.

From your new EP, ‘It’s Always at Night,’ which songs are you most excited to perform in 2026?

Jade LeMac: I am so excited to perform “Sweet Dreams.” It’s my favorite song on the EP. It just feels so like me, and I haven’t been able to perform it live yet. So I’m really excited for that. And as well as “Intertwined,” I think it’s going to be a fun one because that one’s very upbeat and just has a lot to it. I’m really just excited to perform the whole EP.

You recently supported Maren Morris on tour. What was that experience like?

Jade LeMac: It was such an amazing experience. That was the first big tour I went on. We were in a van driving the whole way, which was such a cool experience. And I had my band and everything with me, and they were all so awesome. Maren and her whole team and band were also so kind, which was so pleasantly surprising because I didn’t know what to expect coming in as an opener and being with them for like a month.

It was so amazing, and there were so many amazing experiences, like having a couple of my fans show up at the shows. There was this one girl who started crying during one of my shows, and I was like, borderline about to start crying. And I’ve never cried on stage, yet. And I almost did because of her.

There was another girl who came in with a shirt, and she had the entire lyrics of my song “Love Bites” on the back of her shirt. I have a picture of it somewhere, but that was crazy. It’s something that I’ll remember forever.

How does your songwriting process usually work?

Jade LeMac: My writing process is different for every song. I have these notes going in my phone, where if I come up with a song title or an idea, I’ll put it in there. But a lot of the time, I pick up my guitar, or I sit at my piano, and I just play and kind of almost freestyle until I come up with something that I like. And once something feels right, it sticks. I make sure to always record it on my voice memos, because I have a horrible memory [laughs]. So, I never let people listen to my voice memos because they’re horrendous most of the time.

Funny enough, “It’s Always at Night” was actually written in the car. It’s really weird, it’s never happened before. But this EP I did a lot of writing in the car. I just drive a lot, I guess, and I’m alone in my own kind of space, and I would just come up with melodies, or just have a voice memo of me playing a chord on the guitar. I would play that over and over and write on top of it.

What do you listen to when you’re not creating music?

Jade LeMac: There’s an artist who I’ve been listening to lately. Absolutely. I found her on TikTok, and she’s actually Raye’s little sister, which is really cool. I’ve also been listening to a lot of The Weeknd. But I also sometimes don’t listen to anything. I kind of just listen to podcasts; murder podcasts [she shyly smiles and laughs]. The one I mostly listen to is “Murder with My Husband.” That’s a great podcast. I’ve listened to every episode. Or like a survival podcast. They’re just very fascinating to me.

What do you have coming up in 2026?

Jade LeMac: I’m doing a Canada tour and an Australian tour, real soon here, in January and February, which I’m very excited about. Those are going to be really fun. And I’m, I’m already starting to work on new music, which I’m also very excited about. So lots of things coming and I’m very, very excited for it all.

Grimy Goods: Are we talking like a new album?

Jade LeMac: Hey! Possibly … [laughs with a playful smirk]

ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

BEST NEW MUSIC

With her raw lyrics, DIY beginnings, and unwavering authenticity, Jade LeMac represents a new wave of artists who connect deeply by simply being themselves. Whether she’s writing melodies in her car, performing for fans across continents, or hearing her songs unexpectedly in a store, Jade continues to embrace every moment with gratitude and curiosity. As 2026 approaches with new tours and new music on the horizon, one thing is clear: Jade LeMac’s story is only just beginning.

Stay in touch with Jade through her website, where you can stream her music and follow her on social media.