Jackson Rathbone, known to millions as Jasper Hale in the Twilight saga, has never been one to take the easy road. Long before he stepped into the world of vampires and werewolves, the actor was chasing a different dream: music. At 18, he moved to Los Angeles to write songs, eventually touring with his former band, 100 Monkeys. Now, with his wife, he fronts the indie duo STARMOTHER, and their upcoming album, Disco Punk Is Dead, is a testament to their DIY ethos.
In a recent conversation at FanX in Salt Lake City, Rathbone opened up about the creative process behind STARMOTHER's music videos, which he and his wife craft with a hands-on approach. But the discussion took a sharp turn when the topic of AI-generated content came up. Rathbone didn't mince words, calling it “stolen” and “soulless.”
“You can say, ‘Hey, I put the prompt in there,’” he said, “but at the end of the day, you know it’s not you making that art.” While he acknowledged potential benefits of AI in fields like medicine, he had no patience for those who try to pass off machine-made images or music as genuine artistic expression.
For Rathbone, this stance is personal. STARMOTHER's music videos are deliberately raw and unpolished, a choice that sets them apart in an era of hyper-produced content. “We wanted to make these music videos narratives that are fun to watch, and they’re not overly polished, they’re not overly produced, they’re very raw,” he explained. The first three singles form a connected trilogy, allowing the couple to build a fictional world that feels authentic and handmade.
Rathbone is quick to encourage others to embrace the tools they already have. “Shoot something with your phone, shoot it with your friends,” he advised, emphasizing that creativity doesn't require a massive budget. His own role in the videos goes far beyond acting: “I’m a grip, I’m a producer, I’m moving lights.” He even joked that his wife handles catering because his menu would be nothing but cheeseburgers.
This commitment to hands-on artistry is a refreshing counterpoint to the growing trend of AI-generated media. Rathbone's critique echoes concerns raised by many in the entertainment industry, where the line between human creativity and machine output is becoming increasingly blurred. For fans of Twilight stars making headlines, Rathbone's stance offers a glimpse into his values beyond the screen.
As STARMOTHER prepares to release Disco Punk Is Dead, Rathbone remains steadfast in his belief that art should come from human effort. “We’re using our blood, sweat, and tears,” he said, and that sentiment is evident in every frame of their work. In a world where AI can generate a song or a painting in seconds, Rathbone's insistence on the human touch is a powerful reminder of what makes art meaningful.
For those interested in exploring more about the intersection of technology and creativity, the latest gaming exclusives offer a different perspective on how digital tools are shaping entertainment. But for Rathbone, the answer is clear: real art requires real people.
