Musician and filmmaker, Jessica “Jess” Silber, has released her first music video, “It Hurts to Love a Woman“. The video was a winner at the Global Music Awards, The IndieFEST Film Awards, a finalist at the New York Short Film Festival, a semi-finalist at Blow-Up Arthouse Filmfest, a nominee at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, and an official selection of the Macon Film Festival and International Music Video Underground.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Jess about the project, dream collabs, AI in music, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some Ais a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?
Oof that’s a tough one and a really good question. While I am far from an expert on this topic, I will do my best in giving an answer that provides this topic with the attention to detail that it deserves.
My first reaction is I’m scared. But I also know, running from something that scares you, only gives it more power. We have to come to terms with the very reality of this AI-powered “revolution”. It’s already on track to become embedded in our every day in some shape or form. If we can figure out a system where AI generated art can stay in its own lane, I think it’s possible for the two mediums (AI vs human generated art) to coexist. But… trying to replace humans who are pouring their hearts and souls into art that provides commentary on the human experience, that’s where it gets quite fuzzy.
As an artist it’s already so hard to even get your music out there, let alone to get it heard. The vast majority of artists don’t make enough money from their music to support themselves. Throwing AI generated music into the equation feels like yet another obstacle the 21st century artist has to conquer. Saturating an already over-saturated medium. Haven’t the constructs of society already limited us enough?
I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not favorite, in your top 3?
That is a hard one! It’s even hard to pick a top 3. I’d have to say these:
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Three Little Birds – Bob Marley
You’ve Got a Friend – Carole King version
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?
This song came from a need to process a time that, for all intents and purposes, kind of broke me. I fell for someone who didn’t feel the same, and in that chase simultaneously lost more than just her. Heartbreak entangled by a web of friendship takes that pain to a different kind of height – one I wish upon no-one.
Even after writing and recording the song, I still felt like I had more to say which is where the desire to write a film stemmed from. Mixing the two mediums of music & film allowed me to express what words alone weren’t able to, and ultimately awarded me the creative and mental space I needed to heal and work through a very dark time in my life.
What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?
Music feels like the one place where I can connect with my emotions in a way that feels pure and unrivaled. Whether it’s a good day, a bad day, or both, making music is a lifeline that allows me to make sense of my scattered thoughts and face them in a way that feels manageable and not overwhelming. So, you could say the human experience drives me to create as I use music to express and make sense of life and my place in it.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?
Carole King. I grew up to her music. She’s been one of my biggest influences so if I could write a song with her one day, that would be pretty special.
Where is the best place to stay connected with you?
My music is under jess silber on all streaming platforms, except for Apple Music where it’s under jessie morgan. Been trying to change it for years but no dice. If anyone knows any tricks there, I’m all ears 🙂
Instagram @silberlinings
I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?
There’s a lot of content out there these days, so I can only say thank you for making time to support my art. Finding people who not only take the time to listen but actually really care to connect with what you’re saying – that’s rare and as an artist really all we can ask for.
I hope you can find 4 minutes and 44 seconds to watch or listen to ‘it hurts to love a woman.’ I’ll be releasing a live session of a new song “Highways of My Fears” – a song about depression and navigating its ups and downs – in May for mental health month. If you connect with what you hear so far, be on the lookout for more 🙂
