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

Alright, Sterling thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Hmm, I think a lot of people have these real moving or connecting “aha” moments in their lives that can instantly change them or their value systems. For me, that moment came when I was only about seven years old. I remember my brother had some boyscout meeting and I had to sit and wait until it was over. For whatever reason I had a Walkman with headphones and a Michael Jackson tape. Sitting there listening to that music I had these visions of wanting to do something similar with music. It was just so profoundly moving and it effected my little brains. I started wanting to play drums but deep down I always knew I wanted to be a singer too but I was afraid to express that. My family didn’t really deal or express personality traits that might come along with wanting to stand out or be a performer so, I kept that part of me locked up for a long time.

Sterling, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I think I tend to be a writer above all else. One of my favorite people George Carlin once described himself as a “writer” even though he was known for his brilliant comedy work. I feel similar in that, I do many different things and I aspire to do them all well but mostly I think I really just like creating things.

I would be described by others as a musician, singer, composer, mix engineer, songwriter and maybe even content creator even though I’m still not thrilled with that term.

I’ve released about seven albums, most of them completely written, recorded and performed by myself. I also just finished my first film score which is exciting.

To sum this up, I started by just wanting to make music but life’s ups and downs have pushed me in many directions forcing me to adapt and, not only learn new skills but to also try things I might never think to try. I think I’m most proud of my perseverance and ability to keep making things.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I’ve tended to see the world in extremes most of my life with people swinging far in one direction or the other but, upon learning more about myself, I’m really starting to see more of the beautiful spectrum that exists with everything. I mention this because a few years ago I found out that I’m a highly sensitive person and I also share some traits with autistic individuals.

Knowing about these things has helped me greatly to celebrate who I am and cultivate self-love instead of just feeling like an alien everywhere I go.

While there is definitely an evolving sense of acceptance for people one might deem “different” it’s important to recognize, artist or not, that everyone around you is having a vastly different experience on this planet. Recognizing this should help you to slow down and treat more people with kindness as you really have no idea what anyone is going through at any given time.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This answer may seem rather cryptic but it’s usually because I’m trying to see the biggest “picture” I can…

Music and art are currently not celebrated. When I grew up (I’m 37) we worshiped musicians. Like anything in life there will be moments of high and low. As a society, I believe musicians especially are experiencing an all time low.

The level at which we consume media and music has made everything fleeting and there doesn’t seem to exist anymore the idea of making a “classic” piece of art. Everything, regardless of how much effort went into it, is consumed and burned up like a match stick.

Musicians and artists trying to crowbar themselves into this “content war” is running most people down. Putting creators on fast timelines over years is ultimately not sustainable and sadly doesn’t create lasting effects or content.

I do not believe anything will change any time soon as with this struggle comes desperation to break through and make EVEN MORE STUFF haha. It’s a vicious cycle. What I DO believe will happen is that folks will continue to grow emotionally depleted chasing the same content rush and high over and over and at some point will begin to celebrate and yearn for something more raw and authentic.

Like anything, we’re going to struggle to move forward unless we recognize the problem. The digital age is young and juvenile. It can be acquainted to “candy” and too much candy will make you sick. The digital age is both wonderful and awful and we still don’t know how to regulate using it, so many of us are being poisoned by it.

For society to best support artists and creators we need to see how very important they are. Music is ultimately the voice of the people. Take a look at the most popular trending media and it’s mostly a celebration of ignorance, partying, excess, vanity, violence and misogyny. This is currently what the voice of the people is saying.

Contact Info:

• Website: sterlingrjackson.com
• Instagram: @sterlingrjackson
• Facebook: @sterlingrjackson
• Youtube: @sterlingrjackson
• Other: [email protected]