Fresh off her set at the Grove Stage, Jade LeMac, the Vancouver-born singer-songwriter was all smiles as she reflected on a whirlwind year that she has seen. Between a Billboard Hot 100 debut and major touring opportunities, the Vietnamese-Canadian artist is experiencing the kind of breakthrough many young musicians dream about. Sitting backstage at Gov Ball to chat with Melodic Magazine, LeMac remained remarkably grounded.
“This is my first Gov Ball,” she said. “Being in New York has been so amazing and fun. This is my first festival in New York, so I’m just so happy to be here. I love this city so much, and to be able to perform at a festival that I’ve always wanted to attend, is such an honor. The crowd was amazing!”
Growing up in a musical household centered around karaoke, she taught herself piano and guitar before eventually lending vocals to electronic tracks as a teenager. Now, years later, she’s finding herself on bigger stages than ever before. “This past year has been such a learning experience – the new music and performances. I’ve gotten a lot more shows under my belt than I have any other time in my career,” she explained. “It has been so helpful and has really made me figure out what I like to do, even just on stage, and what I want to do with my music going forward.”
That growth was evident throughout the past year. While LeMac first captured attention with viral TikTok performances and her breakout single “Constellations,” one of her biggest successes came with “Running Home,” the fan-favorite track that helped earn her first Billboard Hot 100 placement. When asked why the song resonated so strongly with audiences, LeMac pointed to its universal message. “When I wrote that song, I was trying to make it very relatable to others,” she said. “It’s this upbeat, happy, loving song where you love someone so much that no matter what happens, you’ll always run home to them.” Of course, she also acknowledged another possible reason, “I think people also love the melody of the oohs,” she laughed. “It’s like a yodeling that people find really catchy.”
Whether she’s writing about relationships, identity, or self-discovery, her music often feels like pages pulled directly from a journal. Even as her audience continues to grow this year, she says her approach to song writing hasn’t changed much. “I’ve really just been focusing on what I want to be [as an artist] and how I want to present myself – how I want to talk about my stories,” she said. “I think I’ve really been focused on myself and that’s what makes me the happiest, and that works best for me. If I’m at my happiest, I’ll write my best songs.”
By sharing personal stories through music or connecting with fans over her identity and experiences, she has built a loyal audience by always staying true to herself. That same approach carried over into her latest EP, It’s Always At Night, which she mirrored with a collection of acoustic recordings. “With this last EP, I wrote every song originally on guitar,” she explained. “Going back and making the acoustic versions was just natural for me, because that’s how they were born and created.”
The acoustic release allowed listeners to hear the songs in their most organic form, something LeMac has always gravitated toward as a songwriter. “I’ve always loved doing acoustic versions because it is a big part of my songwriting process and who I am as a musician.”
While Gov Ball celebrated where LeMac is now, she was equally excited about what’s ahead. This summer she’ll join Hilary Duff on a major U.S. tour, introducing her music to thousands of new fans each night. Rather than feeling intimidated by performing for audiences who may not know her songs, she sees it as an opportunity to garner new fans. “There’s so many things about this tour that is so exciting. I’m aware that a lot of people aren’t going to know who I am,” she said. “So I’m just excited to try and win everyone over,” she says. “It’s a goal as an opening artist to try and win over the crowd and to just have fun with them.” The fan in her is equally excited too, “So many of these shows are sold out, and that’s insane to think about. I’m literally just excited to be a part of it,” she said. “And then to be able to watch Hilary’s set too, I’m there as a fan myself. It’s a full circle moment.”
After talking a little about the upcoming tour, the conversation shifted to tour-life essentials. Like many artists spending months on the road, LeMac has a short list of must-haves that keep her going between shows. Diet Coke is a staple, while Diet Dr Pepper becomes a priority whenever she’s touring in the U.S. She’s also a fan of beef jerky, particularly peppered varieties, and a Canadian snack she often misses when traveling called Popcorn Twists. “They’re really good,” she laughed trying to explain what they are. “Like really soft white Cheetos, but weirdly shaped and butter flavored.”
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As the conversation wound down, LeMac reflected on what she would tell her younger self – the aspiring musician who was still figuring everything out. “Honestly, I’d tell myself to just do what she loves to do. Write the music that she loves to make, and to just have fun,” she said. “Don’t worry about what other people think.”
It’s advice that seems to have served her well. With festival crowds growing larger, major tours ahead, and new music already in the works, LeMac is entering a pivotal chapter of her career. Yet despite these milestones, her focus remains simple: stay authentic, trust her instincts, and keep writing songs that feel true to who she is. When asked about what’s next, she teased, “I have been working my butt off on making new music, writing new music that I’m very excited about,” she said with a big grin. “So I hope that’s next to come!” Judging by the trajectory of the past year, fans likely won’t have to wait long.
Be sure to catch Jade LeMac on Hilary Duff‘s upcoming The Lucky Me Tour, which begins in just a few days. Tickets can be purchased here.
Interview and Portraits by Sarah Peter
Keep Up With Jade LeMac: Website // Instagram // TikTok // Facebook // YouTube
