WINTER DIARIES | JESSE MAC CORMACK
Text by: Quartz Co.
This Canadian musician, singer-songwriter, and DJ has a knack for electronic music and a way of making you feel connected, whether to your emotions or the people around you. Simply titled Joy, his latest EP is an invitation to let go and a reminder of what truly matters. Discussion with a free soul.
Hi Jesse! Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Montreal, between Hochelaga and Longueuil.
What were your winters like as a child?
I remember that I spent a lot of time playing outside. Winter was simply part of everyday life. We went out despite the cold, without giving it much thought.
And now, what does winter evoke for you?
Today, it’s a mix of cross-country skiing, composing, and waiting for warmer days to return. I like feeling the city come back to life, seeing more friends again, and reconnecting with a more collective energy. Winter evokes calm, patience, and a sense of transition — the passage toward something returning.
Do you feel your work has changed your relationship with the seasons?
Yes. In the summer, I sometimes feel guilty creating indoors when the weather is beautiful, as if I should be out enjoying it. In winter, I often feel impatient for it to end. My work, and becoming a father, has made me very aware of time passing, and of the tension between the need to create and the desire to live fully.
Is winter a good time for creation for you?
Absolutely. Creation is where I feel most at home. Winter allows me to isolate myself, to slow down, and to fully focus on that process.
Do you remember a particularly strong moment of inspiration?
Yes, when I wrote Storyboard, a song about my relationship with my father. I was completely overwhelmed by emotion and channeled it directly into the music.
What are you listening to these days?
Mainly Caribou, Fred again, Flore Laurentienne, Four Tet, Cleo Sol, and Rosie Lowe.
What do you need most to feel good?
Things that may seem simple but that feed body and soul, like gentleness, being listened to, friends, love, creation, good food, sleep, and going to the gym.
What would be your dream collaboration?
I have several, like Flore Laurentienne, Jean-Michel Blais, Khruangbin, and The Vernon Spring.
Can you tell us about your plans or aspirations for 2026?
A question that’s been on my mind a lot lately is the kind of music I want to make. I’m drawn to so many different directions... This year, I want to avoid putting myself in a box and give myself the freedom to explore all kinds of paths, without overthinking the marketing side. I no longer want to choose a niche — I want to do it all.