Committing to someone is something truly beautiful, especially in today’s world. And I don’t mean this out of some distorted, false nostalgia that things were better in the past — not at all. But life has become faster, fuller, more crowded. To consciously choose a person, whether in a relationship or a friendship, feels like something rare and deeply precious. That is, at least for me, the inspiration behind Jade LeMac’s new song “Running Home” — a track that carries the warmth of reassurance and the lightness of summer.
With more than 1.5 million TikTok followers, a nomination by GLAAD for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist, and a monumental year of headline shows, festival stages, and an upcoming tour with Maren Morris, Jade LeMac is part of a new generation of artists who balance vulnerability and strength in their music. In our conversation, she shares how her songs come to life, why interacting with fans means everything, and what happiness and success truly mean to her.
photography by Meredith Traux
Hey dear Jade, I am just listening to your new track “Running Home” – I love the uplifting vibe around it. You said it’s “about reassuring the person you are in a relationship with that you will always choose them no matter how they might feel.” Is this about a personal story of yours or a fictional narrative for a song?
I’m in a happy relationship right now, but that doesn’t mean every song I write is a direct reflection of it. I’ll always pull little bits of inspiration from my relationship for love songs, but they’re not exact snapshots of my own life.
How long did this song take to come to life?
This one actually took a little longer than usual because we ended up completely switching the vibe. It was originally written on guitar and had a more sad, stripped-back feel, but we decided to flip it and turn it into an upbeat pop song. Summer was coming up and we were inspired to make something that felt good.
Where do you usually write your songs best – is there a certain place where you feel most creative, or does that not really matter to you?
I love the comfort of writing in my own room, and being alone is a big thing for me creatively. For some reason, I also really enjoyed writing in the car by myself while working on this EP.
Which instruments do you play, and which one do you enjoy playing the most?
I play piano and guitar, and I honestly don’t have a favorite. For this EP though, I ended up using guitar a lot more in the writing process.
“Interacting with fans is hands down the best part. When people are singing my songs back to me, it’s such an insane, unforgettable feeling.”
2025 has been a monumental year with a mini headliner tour, festival appearances, your upcoming US tour dates opening for Maren Morris, and a new EP coming this Fall. It’s probably hard to choose, but what have been some of your most exciting and beautiful moments this year, and what are you especially looking forward to?
Being able to perform my own headline shows for the first time was such an amazing feeling. I had never done that before and it’s a completely different feeling. The big festivals were incredible too. But honestly, the best part has been meeting the fans in person. I’m so excited for this EP to come out and for everyone to hear what I’ve been working on.
And you were recognized by GLAAD with a nomination for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist. How important are nominations like that to you, and how do you define success for yourself?
Being nominated is such an awesome feeling, and I’m super grateful for it. But for me, success isn’t defined by awards – it’s about how happy you are with how far you’ve come. Everyone’s standards are different, and mine are pretty high, so I’m always going to keep pushing to reach them.
Throughout 2020, you built your audience on TikTok, now exceeding 1.5M followers. Do you sometimes find it difficult to have grown up in this generation with TikTok and all the social media – for example because of the pressure, etc.?
Social media and I have an interesting relationship. I’ve never been in love with it, but at the same time I’m so grateful for it because it’s given me the platform I have today. It’s changed the music industry a lot, but I wouldn’t really know what it’s like without it since it’s been part of my career from the start.
“I actually tend to think too much about the future sometimes, to the point where it takes me out of the present.”
On Instagram, you share a lot of images from your time on stage — what do you love most about performing live?
Interacting with fans is hands down the best part. When people are singing my songs back to me, it’s such an insane, unforgettable feeling.
Who are your musical and also personal role models?
Musically, it would be Sleeping at Last, FINNEAS, Labrinth, and The Weeknd. Personally, my mom is my biggest role model.
Where do you see yourself in about 10 years – or are you more someone who lives in the moment and doesn’t think that far ahead?
I actually tend to think too much about the future sometimes, to the point where it takes me out of the present. Lately I’ve been trying to focus more on what’s happening right now instead of what’s next.
Happiness means…
Whatever you decide it means, because it looks different for everyone. For me, I’m still figuring that out for myself.
Follow Jade LeMac for more:
www.instagram.com/jadelemac
x.com/JadeLeMacMusic
