ICYMI: #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live featuring Jessie Chambers

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

Growing up in south Florida with dreams of one day living in New York City, few artists have ever seemed quite as destined to one day become a pop star as Jessie Chambers.

Chambers’ love for music and performing started at a young age, when she got her start in musical theater. Even as her career aspirations eventually began to lean more towards becoming a musician, she never lost her taste for theatrical elements.

“I’ve been a pop star in my head my whole life,” Chambers said.

Her first real experience of the “pop star” lifestyle came when Chambers filmed her music video for her newest song called “Dear Life.” She wrote this song alongside a team of three other songwriters, eventually developing an image in her head of a potential music video that matched with the funky, groovy vibes similar to the Austin Powers movies with a modern twist. From there, she worked with a team of talented stylists and makeup artists to bring her vision to life.

While filming a music video in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic and all of its restrictions was a challenge, Chambers says the process of filming and costume changes was a very fun, memorable experience.

For Chambers, “Dear Life” has a special significance to her because the meaning of the song can extend far beyond just relationships, which often make up the content for many pop songs. Instead, she looks at the song as a representation of her own personal struggles with overthinking and anxiety.

Chambers says her team of songwriters and producers also played a huge role in helping “Dear Life” take shape, with their writing sessions together always creating a relaxed, friendly environment.

“When I feel comfortable and enjoy my time, the song always feels right,” Chambers said.

Currently, Chambers says she has a few more projects in the works that will be released in the near future, one of which was created with the same team from “Dear Life.”

Chambers, who has been writing songs since high school, says she often gets hit with the inspiration for new songs randomly. She says she has multiple voice memos on her phone with the sound of the shower running in the background due to needing to make note of her idea before she forgets about it.

When it comes to navigating the male-dominated music industry, Chambers believes her degree in Gender Studies from Indiana University has helped her to lead her life as both a woman and a woman in the music industry. While she considers herself lucky to have never been placed in an uncomfortable position or taken advantage of, she has encountered people who doubt her abilities on account of being a woman.

Rather than letting these incidents get to her, Chambers expresses the importance of not wasting time in stressing about little things.

“Know what you are trying to do and just do it,” Chambers said. “Don’t get caught up in what it should or should not be like.”

For more on Jessie Chambers, you can check out the entire interview on the @OfficialWomenWhoRock IGTV channel on Instagram.