Slow Burn & The Muse
Two songs, many years and one fruitful night tell the story of a singer/songwriter's road to success, and the power of connection to uplift and inspire.
Guided by her 2020-self performing "The Muse," a song she co-wrote with legendary bandmate David Crosby, this verite, lyrical look inside the career of singer/songwriter Becca Stevens finds the Brooklyn-based artist deep in songwriting mode. As she methodically takes us through her creative process, Becca’s wide range of talents and experiences come to life, and the slow burn of the work and of the artistic living is revealed. Ultimately, the muse leads her to the revelatory moment of literally finding a groove that scores her a 2021 GRAMMY nomination for the arrangement of her song “Slow Burn.”
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Darah Golub
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It started out as a welcome distraction from chipping away at my first feature music documentary, a WIP for more than 13 years called The New York Love Songs. When the star musician of that project got nominated for her first Grammy Award at the end of 2020 for a song that I’d captured her writing, I took it as an opportunity to use the abundance of footage I have of her to create something separate and small, finish it, and put it out into the world.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Slow Burn & The Muse blends one night of songwriting with years of career development, for a super intimate and satisfying look at the creative process. Hopefully it’s inspiring to watch Becca struggle and search for inspiration and ultimately find the way through.
Also Becca Stevens is just an incredible musician whom you oughta know, and a total joy to watch. For musicians it’s all a fun bit of inside baseball too, and a who’s who of New York jazz.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
“Slow Burn” and “The Muse” are two songs by Becca Stevens featured in the short, and two ideas that are central to any artist or anyone striving to create or achieve something. I think everyone can relate to the occasional struggle to have patience and confidence in themselves amidst the many challenges of life and work, and often a certain spark is needed to carry on.
My feature WIP doc The New York Love Songs is a longitudinal tale of musicians developing from the college classroom out into the real world of the 2010s. I started filming it as a vocal student with a camcorder inside jazz school in 2007. I had no idea what I was doing then, and I’m still learning as I go today. To say it’s all a slow burn is an understatement. But I’m motivated and inspired by the artists I aim to celebrate in my work, and by the people who cheer me on. Whether it’s through the wisdom of experience, the encouragement from loved ones, or support from a friend sitting across a table, hopefully this short can be that reminder to “relax and know you’ll get there.”
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I initially developed this piece as promotional content for Becca, so actually a shorter version exists which tells less of a story and puts more of a spotlight on the scope of Becca’s work and roster of collaborations. But by removing certain bits and weaving in other subtle through-lines, a full circle story shines through which emphasizes the emotional elements that go into songwriting, and the importance of human connection to creative energy.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The response from festival goers so far has been very cool. (Stories of creative struggle and strategy really resonate with filmmakers, go figure!)
People are often complimentary of the editing in particular, which is awesome because that’s what this project is all about. With over a decade’s worth of footage to work with, I think the power of both this short and the feature may lie in the occasional sense of magic that happens when connections are drawn across character, theme, music and time.
People are also quite taken with Becca Stevens as both a musician and a human, which is also awesome because she is a talented and wonderful one and I want everyone to know her.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I wish I had crafted a short out of all my footage sooner. I’m surprised how each new festival has made me feel more heartened, more encouraged, more a part of the filmmaking community I’ve kept myself on the sidelines of all these years. I’ve been waiting to finish one epic project before stepping out, putting anything out at all. I feel empowered to finish The New York Love Songs because of Slow Burn & The Muse.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Having my work on this site is a real step for me. (Thank you so much Carmela!) I would love for the momentum I’ve felt from festivals to continue, with more opportunities like this, more chances to share the project in a variety of ways that may lead to new supporters or team members.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Literally all of the above.
Anyone who is enthusiastic about this short and who might be interested in working with me on the larger project The New York Love Songs, please gimme a ring!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'm thrilled for Slow Burn & The Muse to stand on its own as a lyrical deep dive into the artistic journey and creative process of a super talented and independent musician like Becca Stevens. But my hope is that it also demonstrates a uniqueness of style and point of view that will attract interest from folks who might wish to join or support me in the work of completing the feature doc The New York Love Songs — an immersive, inside look at interconnected musicians growing up and navigating the decade of digital revolution that was the start of their careers.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When the going gets tough, what is your personal key to unlocking the muse, unblocking creativity, or finding the path forward?
Would you like to add anything else?
I don't think so, I just really appreciate the platform, thank you so much!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
you know the one...
The New York Love Songs!
Interview: October 2021
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Slow Burn & The Muse
Length:
13:45 minutes
Writer/Director/Producer
DARAH GOLUB is a New York based filmmaker and singer. She studied at The New School for Jazz where she began shooting “The New York Love Songs” in 2007. During the 2010s she recorded and performed internationally as part of the band Parlour Tricks (The Village Voice’s #1 Pop Band in NYC 2014), and co-hosted Billboard’s “Soul Sisters” podcast, interviewing over 100 female artists. She currently works as VP & Managing Director of JBS, a non-profit educational TV channel where she created the series “Jewish NYC.”
Key cast:
Becca Stevens, David Crosby
Looking for:
distributors, producers, film festival directors, journalists
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/TheNewYorkLoveSongs/
https://www.instagram.com/tnyls/
Hashtags used:
#thenewyorklovesongs #tnyls
More info: