Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessie Berkshires. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jessie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced risk as the driving force behind my career. Starting in music education, I pivoted to psychology and Recreation Therapy my junior year of undergrad because I feared not being able to get a job after graduation. I then had decade-long career as a therapist. The birth of my daughter triggered a desire for creative change, leading me to an online software design degree and a 5 year stint in the tech industry.

Amidst the challenges of balancing motherhood, family life, and a tech career, I took a leap—resigning from my job with the intention of a short break, which extended to what is now 2.5 years. During this hiatus, I reignited my passion for songwriting, forming a band with my husband that has evolved into two thriving indie music projects.

In the realm of music, every step is a risk. Booking shows, releasing songs, collaborating—they all come with uncertainties. Living without a stable job introduces its own set of risks. Yet, for me, risk is more than uncertainty; it’s the key to seizing control of what I desire in life.

Life has become a thrilling journey defined by risk-taking. Each uncertainty is an opportunity to boldly shape my creative destiny.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey, I’m Jessie Berkshires, an indie electronic musician from Detroit, MI. I wear many hats as an independent musician—composer, producer, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and visual artist. Managing two projects, my solo work, and Moon Date, a 5-piece synth rock band, keeps me creatively fulfilled. My solo project is an intimate space for personal songs, produced by my husband in our home studio. Moon Date, born during the pandemic, evolved into a magnificent collaboration, pushing boundaries and playing across southeast Michigan. We’re gearing up to expand in 2024.

I’ve started releasing music on streaming platforms for both projects, enjoying the process of bringing our songs to life visually through video direction, filming, and editing. The joy of connecting with a wider audience has been incredible, and there’s much more to come from each unique project. Stay tuned for the distinct personalities of Jessie Berkshires and Moon Date!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Leaning more into other creatives themselves! There has been no greater resource than collaborating with others. I always want to challenge myself by having people around me who are better than me.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission is to bring all the stuff in my head to life. I have been dreaming about this my entire life. It’s always been on my mind and I have the opportunity right now to make it happen. The goal is to create as much as possible for as long as possible and take every opportunity. It’s so rewarding and fulfilling to take each one of these songs across the finish line and share them with people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jessieberkshires
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieberkshiresmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jessieberkshiresmusic?si=zzBsijjlTHWNUISj%3Fsub_confirmation%3D1
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessieberkshiresmusic https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XZ4qfQflc5EIacR9cNyeK?si=MTGGkghsSkqwzw2RGU6rgg