Meet Jesse Cilio

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Jesse Cilio again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Jesse , thanks for joining us again. Just to level set a bit for folks who may have missed our last interview together, can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’ve been a menace my whole life, using art as an escape—whether it’s painting, writing, or making movies—to make my words and actions align. I think it started when I was a kid, telling my mother I was bored, and she told me to find some curiosity. I’ve been in that pursuit ever since—the only way out is deeper in. I’m just a rusted lock you will never find the key for.

Alright, so our main goal today is to give our audience an update on what you have been up to since our last conversation. We’d love to hear how things are going and what you are most looking forward to or excited about these days.
I have an art show coming up in Los Angeles called ‘F*ck Art, Let’s Vandal’ at The Hive Gallery in May. I’m also shooting a movie I wrote and directing, called Milk Milk Lemonade, in July in New Orleans. Everything else is off the cuff—when you’re busy creating new things, new ideas there is no upgrade on unique. Don’t explain yourself, just create. Halfway between the sea and the stars. I only trust funny people because that’s the only thing humans can’t pretend to be. Always take the high road. It’s ZERO traffic on that muthafucka trust me. Cruise control that bitch.

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: Monster Squad

Favorite Book: a confederacy of dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Favorite TV Show: Get Shorty

Favorite Band or Artist: A Tribe Called Quest

Sweet or Savory: Always sweet

Mountains or Beach: Mountains

Favorite Sport (to watch): I like listening to woman’s tennis with my eyes closed

Favorite Sport (to play): One where it involves me laying in the hotel bed watching movies off my laptop and eating room service

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: A fire engine

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Yo MTV Raps and The Little rascals were my cartoons

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
Emotional poverty is real, the emotional mind rarely stops to consider its actions. The most authentic writing comes when you no longer care if it’s read. I have no advice for anybody really; except to, you know, be aware enough to see where you are at any given time, and how that is beautiful, and has poetry inside. Even places you hate. I think somewhere deep inside we actually like giving our hearts to people who don’t really want them. It’s all handmade. love, trust, destruction. The explorer is never lost. Maybe hell is a place where you watch the people you love the most forget your name. Remember to water your dreams and feed your heart. What is True is rarely ever popular. I don’t mean to be political, but what if everyone had basic human rights. People will use you, and often you don’t realize it until your ears are filled with their silence. Life goes on, it’s ridiculous. I like people who are not for everyone. You are not lost if the strangers you meet love you. And if you ever get lonely intercept airport hugs.

Instagram: @nordicjones