Shining From The Biggest Shadow

One of the more beautiful things to be seen from this Pandemic is the Facebook Watch Documentaries "Unfiltered" featuring Paris Jackson and Gabriel Glenn, a musical Indie/Folk duo known as The Sound Flowers, as they embark on their first tour. Just from their music alone, you hear a sense of musical peace and tranquility, and immense spiritual growth. Of course, this growth, can't be discussed completely and with any accuracy, without bringing up the shadow this duo falls under. So, here we go.

For those who have lived under a rock for the past eleven years, knows Paris Jackson is the daughter of the musical icon Michael Jackson, who is considered, if not the top, among the top-selling musical artist of all time. With hit albums such as "Off the Wall", "Dangerous", "Bad", and of course "Thriller", which to this day is considered the top-selling album of all time. Michael Jackson passed away on June 25th, 2009, survived by his three young children. Paris Jackson being one of them and the first to speak publicly, at his memorial service.

"I just wanted to say. Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine." The microphone just tall enough for her short stature, she regained her composure and went on. "And I just wanted to say I love him...so much!"

At sixteen years old, I myself had the honor, of being in the Staples Center the day that memorial service took place. On the drive home from Los Angles, I can remember my father saying: "I don't know if that little girl realizes what she just did. She made her Daddy HUMAN."

With the premiere of "Unfiltered", much of the struggles with losing her father so young were discussed, depression, a struggle with eating issues, as well as self-mutilation. What is astounding, is the way Paris speaks about the issues she's dealt with. She doesn't minimize these issues, nor does she try to glamorize any of these issues in a way that says: if you do these things to yourself, you’ll be okay eventually. What it really says about her, her character, and the person she is setting out to be as she moves forward is This I’ve experienced trauma, I’m dealing with it through my music, and I’m ashamed of any of it.

This is another thing that wasn't at all surprising for me personally upon viewing the show, but it might surprise many. Her openness and honesty about her dating life before her boyfriend Gabe; the truth that she's dated more women than men, always believing she would one day marry a woman. Also, how even as a little girl, her father was on a wave link of understanding about her sexuality, and never made her feel bad about it. Another moment, one might say, where she admitted humanity about her father we might not have gotten otherwise. This all however, isn’t something about her she doesn’t want to make the focus of her life. She doesn’t necessarily stand with labels as far as her sexuality, but simply one human who might find something to love about another human.

And this, we can say is a good time to take about the other amazing half of this duo, and that is Gabriel Glenn.

A musician in his own right long before he and Paris, Gabriel shows a full and deep awareness at the strength his father in law’s name carries with it. A weight he admits is intimidating, but not one that makes him want to venture away from his love for Paris, and their shared love for music. Since their meeting, he has encouraged her to pursue her passion for music, a love that even she admits has always been there but for fear of being in her father’s shadow, and with that support, with that love came their band The Sound Flowers.

Together, the sound they have created with their music is truly something extraordinary.

It’s gentle when it needs to be. It packs the punches that are needed in all the right places. It’s fresh, it’s unique, original, and the love you feel between the both of them is something you see in units who are purely intertwined spiritually, such as the likes of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

There’s also a sense of humble peace about them that I find remarkable, and even comforting in these difficult times. Together, Gabe and Paris are unapologetic in being themselves, their full selves. They’re on the road constantly, given they live in a van and are constantly on the move, without the need of high class things. Are they shown in this series attending high class events? Of course they are, with Paris also embarking on a well-established modeling career, as well as all the award shows that come with the Jackson name, with Gabe at her side the entire time. While her name carries huge expectations from those who adored her father, she and Gabe do everything they can to build themselves up, from the ashes of the pain they share, and help heal through together.

This is a series, each episode short and sweet, that I recommend anyone finding their place in the world, especially during this Pandemic, should watch. Just as something that might help bring a smile to your day. Also, give The Sound Flowers a listen. It’ll bring sense of calm to your soul and an even bigger smile on your face.