How Jade LeMac overcame stage fright while touring over the summer
The singer-songwriter discusses her summer performances, new EP, "It’s Always at Night," and her mixed Asian heritage
Jade LeMac
Words by Bri Ng Schwartz
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I first got to know Jade LeMac in August at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Opening the festival’s first day, followed by a more intimate performance and an opening set with Role Model at his official Lollapalooza aftershow, I spent a good amount of time watching LeMac in action throughout the weekend. I saw fans sing along to “Constellations” and learn the words to her newest single, “Running Home.” I also saw her gain an entirely new fan base, with me being a part of it.
LeMac is part Vietnamese and part Chinese. Being part Chinese myself, it was exciting to see someone like me on these stages. I had the pleasure of connecting with LeMac ahead of the release of her new EP, It’s Always at Night, which is set to release Friday. Having spent the last month opening for Maren Morris on her Dreamsicle Tour, we discussed all she’s been up to since August and learned more about her family and background along the way.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Bri Ng Schwartz: I saw you three times during Lollapalooza weekend—your full set, the more intimate performance later in the day, and then at Role Model’s Lollapalooza aftershow. That’s a huge few days. Did that weekend hold any growing moments for you as an artist?
Jade LeMac: That Lollapalooza was my first ever U.S. festival, so for it to be that big of a festival was definitely nerve wracking and insane. As a smaller artist, you have to take it as a learning experience and as a way to get your name out there. I have a really big thing with stage fright, so I remember being really shook before getting on stage, but then after I was like, “Okay, now it’s time to really have fun.” By the time I got to the Role Model show, I was having so much fun.
BNS: Each crowd knew the lyrics to “Constellations,” so your fans definitely showed up.
JL: Yeah, they did.
BNS: “Running Home” has been on my rotation since Lollapalooza. I’d love to hear a little bit more about your inspiration for writing it and the songwriting process itself.
JL: When I originally started writing “Running Home,” I had a completely different idea of what the song was going to be. I originally wrote it on guitar and thought it was going to be a sad song. Once I brought the song to my producer and we started recording a demo, he was like, “I think this could be a really cool pop song.” We completely flipped the song on its head, and I found a new meaning for it. We turned it into a very uplifting song about wanting to reassure your partner that no matter what happens, you’ll always come home to them—because I feel like that was a big thing that I needed in past relationships.
BNS: Right after Lollapalooza, you went on tour with Maren Morris. Did you learn anything from watching her in action?
JL: She’s so awesome, and her sets were so amazing. Like I mentioned before, I have really bad stage fright. So going into this tour, I was super freaked out, and it got better over time. I would watch her and see how confident she was on stage. Watching her be so confident really helped me. I learned a lot from that. That helped me with my performances and interacting with fans while on stage. She’s so good at that. I watched her set probably half the time I was on tour.
BNS: When learning more about you, I found out you have Vietnamese and Chinese heritage. What did your relationship to mixed identity look like growing up?
JL: Being half Asian was a really big part of my identity, and it still is. It’s from my mom’s side, and I grew up in a house living with my mom’s side of the family. We lived upstairs, and then my aunt and uncle, my cousins and my grandparents lived downstairs. It’s a big part of me, and I’m very proud of it.
BNS: Are there any experiences, whether cultural or just family related, that shaped your artistic voice growing up in any way?
JL: We would sing karaoke every single time we got all of our family together. Karaoke was a big part of me wanting to be a singer.
BNS: What was your go-to karaoke song?
JL: “Someone Like You” by Adele. I don’t know why, because that was so hard to sing. We would try to sing songs in Vietnamese, but I also don’t speak Vietnamese.
LeMac joined Maren Morris on her Dreamsicle Tour
BNS: You have an upcoming EP, It’s Always at Night. What can you tell us about that?
JL: A big thing that I found that I love while creating this EP was how I use my vocals in these songs. A big thing throughout these songs is layered vocals. Another thing is that a lot of these songs also include guitar.
BNS: Are there any songs in particular that you’re excited to perform live?
JL: There’s a song called “Sweet Dreams” that is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. So I think I’m really excited to do that one.
BNS: What else can we expect during the rollout of It’s Always at Night?
JL: We’ve recorded some really cool visualizers. In one of the songs that’s coming out, I got to have my closest people be in the background vocals. I’m also going on tour. I’m doing a Canadian headline tour and then an Australia tour.
BNS: That’s a long flight!
JL:: I know. My mom and I were talking about actually going to Vietnam beforehand, because we’re already going to be so far away from home. We may as well just do it.
BNS: Have you ever been to Vietnam?
JL: No, I’ve never gone. My family’s gone without me, but I’ve been so busy.
BNS: Have the best time traveling! Can’t wait to catch you the next time you’re in the U.S.
JL: Thank you!
Published on November 6, 2025
Words by Bri Ng Schwartz
Bri Ng Schwartz is a writer and arts administrator based in Brooklyn. Her writing has included artist interviews and profiles, music festival and theater reviews. She has been featured in publications including Mixed Asian Media, LADYGUNN, The Amp and more. She is also the education and community outreach manager at Primary Stages. Follow her on instagram at @bri.ng.schwartz and check out her writing at https://linktr.ee/