Mac DeMarco on AI and human craft

In a wide interview, Mac DeMarco discusses quitting drinking and smoking, finishing Guitar, and his stance on AI in music.

Mac DeMarco Rejects AI Lyrics and Embraces Human Craft

In the interview, Mac DeMarco explains that he quit alcohol and smoking during lockdown and wrote the album Guitar in a few weeks in Los Angeles. He describes moving away from his old party image and embracing a more personal, intimate sound while planning a world tour starting later this year. Guitar was recorded with minimal gear and aims for a raw feel rather than stadium rock. DeMarco also details his move back to a calmer life on Vancouver Island and his plans to rehearse with his band before the tour begins in the United States on August 29, with the UK leg starting on November 8. The record includes songs inspired by sobriety and the power of live music, and DeMarco says he will not chase a big production or a perfect hit.

The musician also makes clear his view on technology in the studio. He notes that AI can produce convincing results but argues the human touch remains essential. Touring remains a core part of his identity as an artist, but he prefers smaller venues and a lean setup over elaborate stage productions. Guitar is released on August 22, and the accompanying tour will circle the US, Europe, Canada and Japan this year.

DeMarco highlights a broader debate about creativity in the digital era. His stance favors craft built through competing impulses, not automated convenience. That position resonates with a growing group of artists who warn that AI could flatten sound and erase quirks that make music feel real. At the same time, the interview signals a wider trend: mid career artists pressing back against the pressure to conform to blockbuster formats while the industry seeks scalable, low risk revenue. This tension could define indie rock in the coming years.

Highlights

Human craft stands as a compass in a sea of change, and DeMarco stays true to what he calls the messiness of real music.