We caught up with Jeffrey Silverstein recently, discussing his debut album ‘You Become The Mountain’, the creative process, and the sociology and psychology behind his music.

How would you describe your music for someone who has never heard it?

Barry Walker Jr., who plays pedal-steel with me coined the term “slow-shredding” to describe my music. If there was a venn diagram comparing ambient/psychedelic music and folk/country music, I’d like to think I’d be that smaller center circle.

The production on your album is gorgeous. Could you tell us a bit more about how the album was produced?

Ryan Oxford is responsible for what you’re hearing. A tremendous songwriter, arranger, and engineer, Ryan understood the vibe quickly and made production decisions that elevated our performances. His studio, The Center for Sound Light + Color Therapy here in PDX wound up being the perfect home for what we set out to do. The full-band tracks (guitar/bass/pedal-steel) were primarily recorded live with the other tunes being built around layers of just my guitar.

Since releasing the album what have you learned from the process? What advice would you give to other musicians?

As someone who hasn’t always loved being in studios, I’ve learned that with the right players, engineer, and environment the recording process can be beautiful. I’d advise other musicians to carefully choose who they bring into their inner circle, to work with intention, and to be realistic about what type of studio best suits their needs.

Your vocals are really peaceful; I’m surprised singing isn’t more prevalent throughout tracks. Was this sparing use of vocals a deliberate choice? Do you think future projects will have a greater focus on vocals?

Appreciate you saying so. It was definitely deliberate - partially an aesthetic choice and partially because I am still in the early stages of being a ‘singer.’ If I’m going to sing, I want it to add value to the song. Hard to say where future projects will take me.

What were your reasons for writing this album?

As long as I’m able, I can’t ever imagine a point in life where I won’t be making music. This record was a big step for me as a solo artist has given me renewed energy and confidence as a songwriter. A lot of the endeavors I am passionate about (music, running, meditation, education, etc.) are containers for how I come to understand myself and others. It provides me with a perspective I would not have access to if I didn’t go through the process. It is also an attempt to show gratitude for places, people and events in my life that have shaped me.

What first attracted you to music? When, if you can even remember, was this?

Community. Music has provided me with a network of incredible artists, friends, peers, etc. around the world that motivate me every day to keep pushing myself. In high school, the first band I was ever in practiced at our drummer’s house up the street from where I lived. I would literally sprint to his house with my guitar after school. The notion of friends coming together to create something entirely their own was enticing to me then and still is to this day.

I read that you’re a special education teacher. How has this role influenced you as an artist?

Logistically it’s helped me remain diligent at managing my time and using the teacher’s schedule to my advantage. On a more spiritual-emotional level teaching presents you with opportunities to work through a lot of your own insecurities and to be vulnerable. My best days as a teacher are when I am able to bring my authentic self to the classroom. I attempt to apply this practice to my music as well - to create from a place where I can see + hear myself in what I’m working on.

There’s an almost psychedelic vibe to some of these tracks. Do you see yourself exploring more with these sorts of sounds in the future?

The term psychedelic carries different meanings for both artists and listeners. I’m excited about the foundation I have built for myself with You Become The Mountain and look forward to continuing to write in a way that builds and expands on that foundation.

Recently, Spotify’s CEO was criticised for stating that it’s ‘not enough’ to release albums ‘every 3-4 years’. What are your thoughts on music as a product and artist release cycles?

I’m going to direct you to recent Twitter threads from Cut Worms and William Tyler to answer this one.

If you had to pick just one of your tracks for someone who hasn’t heard your music which would it be?

Damn, tough call but I think I’d go with ‘Cosmic Scene.’

What does the future hold for Jeffrey Silverstein?

I’m just about finished recording a new EP, have been hosting a new radio show called Felt Time on Dune Buggy Radio every other Tuesday from 7-9PM PST, and am also in the throes of curating a covers compilation of one of my favorite records of all time - hope to be able to share more on that soon!

Start Listening To: Jeffrey Silverstein