Q&A: Alt-pop Queen Jade LeMac Talks New EP ‘Constellations,’ Heartbreak & Channeling Her Dark Side
“CAN YOU TAKE US BACK NOW?” — belts up-and-coming alt-pop starlet Jade LeMac in “Car Accident,” lead single of her debut EP, Constellations. Released today, the EP also features LeMac’s single of the same name, “Constellations,” which has already garnered over 20 million streams on Spotify.
Growing up in a tight-knit multicultural family, LeMac frequently sang karaoke with friends and lent her voice to electronic label Monstercat. Now, the 18-year-old Vancouver native has won the praise of Raydar Magazine, Just Jared, and Pride.com and has been championed as one of GLAAD’s 20 under 20 LGBTQ Changemakers of 2022.
Ranging from edgy, revenge-fueled “Aimed to Kill” to introspective ballad “Same Place,” Constellations exemplifies LeMac’s ability to create cohesive, sonic landscapes and pen powerful lyrics brimming with vulnerability.
“Car Accident,” in particular, is testament to the artist’s creative skill. The melodious composition is a raw portrayal of heartbreak, uniting two contrasting perspectives. LeMac shared, “This is the first time I have ever written from the perspective of two people, and I was seeing myself inside of these characters and feeling all of these feelings of two people who have both lost something, and I ended up just crying the whole way.”
Be warned: the heart-wrenching lyrics and emotive-pop tracks of Constellations will take you speeding down highways on midnights, and if you listen close enough, the poignant lyrics might just break you.
Not ready to sob your heart out? Read below to take a look at LeMac’s inspirations, writing process, and future goals before diving into her debut EP.
LUNA: Hi Jade! How is the new year going for you? What changes do you envision for 2023?
LEMAC: Hi! The new year is going great so far. Been working and writing a lot. I think 2023 is going to be an amazing year, and I’m going to learn a lot about myself as an artist, especially since I’m releasing my debut EP on Feb. 10. It’s the beginning of a long journey.
LUNA: You’ve mentioned before how you take inspiration from a wide range of musical influences. Are there any specific artists that have influenced this EP?
LEMAC: There’s no specific artist that influenced this EP. I think this project is more of a representation of my growth and shows my range of writing. I spent a couple years writing these songs and I discovered so much about myself, and I think it really shows within the EP.
LUNA: “Car Accident” is written from two perspectives: someone who was cheated on and someone who cheated. What inspired you to write the song this way?
LEMAC: I originally wasn’t thinking about using both perspectives. It randomly crossed my mind as more of a challenge if I could do so lyrically, and that’s when I started to switch certain words and lines to fit the other perspective. This song is a story I made up in my head, so I had a lot of freedom with my creativity.
LUNA: How would you describe this EP to someone who has never heard it?
LEMAC: I think the best way to describe it is to say it is a little all over the place. There are emotional songs and then songs that are about revenge and sexuality. It is very diverse, and I think each song is unique in its own way. I hope that the listeners can interpret their own meanings to the songs and resonate with something they’re going through. I don’t think I necessarily have a certain emotion I want them to feel — I just want them to be able to relate.
LUNA: It feels as if the EP takes the listener through a journey. What themes or narratives do you explore in the EP?
LEMAC: Naturally, I had written some heartfelt love songs like “Same Place” and “Let Me,” but leading into “Aimed to Kill” and “Meet You In Hell,” I learned how to pull out an edgier side of me while writing. I think in certain songs I wanted to portray that badass, dark vibe, whereas some songs stayed more pretty or upbeat.
LUNA: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you choose?
LEMAC: There is nobody in particular who I have always wanted to collaborate with, simply because I think I’ve always been so focused on writing for myself. But there are definitely people who I love, like Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Shawn Mendes, and BANKS, who would be crazy to work with.
LUNA: Looking back, how has this EP reflected growth and change through your musical career? Where do you see yourself going in the future?
LEMAC: Going back to one of my previous answers, I think this EP reflects a lot on how I’ve grown as an artist and as a writer. The difference between “Same Place” and “Aimed to Kill” feels drastic to me, and the time between writing those two songs is when I really was able to open a door to a new world of writing. In the future I see myself continuing to unlock those doors, push myself outside of my comfort zone, and do things I never imagined I could do.
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