Play/Pause Listen: Download MP3 | 00:16:39 Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio (full session + interview) 16:39

Mac DeMarco - K (Live at The Current) 03:06

Mac DeMarco - Hey Cow Girl (Live at The Current) 02:18

Mac DeMarco - Still Beating (Live at The Current) 03:27

Since his salad days of 2012, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer Mac DeMarco has had a good seven-year run with three of his full-length studio albums making top 30 of the Billboard 200. He doesn't expect to stop making music, but he said he won't be bothered much if the fame that comes with it dies down. "I think for me it's always kind of felt like the music part and the making things part will always be there," DeMarco said. "Maybe the making money off of it part or people giving a crap about me, that probably won't last forever."

But fans keep asking for more of DeMarco, who brought in inspiration from his early days growing up on the prairies of Canada for his fourth full-length album, Here Comes the Cowboy, which was produced on DeMarco's own recording label. "I think I like the cartoon character of a cowboy, but the real life instances remind me more of the guys that wanted to kick my ass in high school," DeMarco said.

The 29-year-old alternative rock artist created his label, Mac's Record Label, more with the thought of trying something new rather than getting away from his old indie record label like misconceptions claim. "It's not like [my old labels] were ever like, 'Hey where's that record, kid?' DeMarco said. "It was always chill and they're good people and it was a very family oriented vibe so it was never insane."

Still, like many artists who decide to develop their own labels, having more control is a factor as well. "It is nice to know that if I do find something or have a friend or somebody that needs help putting something out, I can do that potentially," DeMarco said about his new label's future possibilities.

Looking forward to his Here Comes the Cowboy tour, DeMarco, ever the non-conformist, told Mary Lucia his scheme for the rest of his tour in between playing songs "K" and "Hey Cowgirl" from the new album. "A lot of bands buy the fancy LED wall, they've got this techy stuff going on, not me," DeMarco said. "Bought a couple projectors at BestBuy, we got these camping screens, rear projection. I built this computer software that you play with the Playstation controller, looks beautiful."

With he and his band's "makeshift Jumbotron," DeMarco is hoping to make his performance special for each venue he visits by projecting "some local accoutrements from each city. For example, [my friend] Matt loves pro wrestling so I'd say about 50 percent is footage of local pro wrestlers," DeMarco explained while laughing.

Songs Performed

"K""Hey Cow Girl""Still Beating"The first two songs are from Mac DeMarco's 2019 album, available on Mac's Record Label. Song three is from DeMarco's 2017 release,, on the Captured Tracks label.

Hosted by Mary Lucia

Produced by Derrick Stevens

Engineered by Michael DeMark

Visuals by Nate Ryan

Web feature by Kayla Song

External Link

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9 Photos

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco performs in The Current studio on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019. (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco portrait at The Current (Nate Ryan | MPR)

Mac DeMarco portrait at The Current (Nate Ryan | MPR) View 8 more photos

Mac DeMarco - official site