AI and The Dark Future of Music

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Massive thanks to Nerina Pallot for her contribution to this video, seen at 8:48 - the full interview is available on Nebula.
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00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - 03:01 - AI
03:02 - 05:24 - Touring
05:25 - 06:40 - Big Numbers
06:41- 07:58 - Diversified Skill Set
07:59 - 08:47 - The Future of Instruments
08:48 - 10:24 - Nerina Pallot Interview
10:25 - 11:25 - How to support the channel

[@MarySpender]

🎸 MY GUITAR COURSES ▶ Fingerstyle Guitar: bit.ly/maryspenderfingerstyle ▶ Elevate Your Guitar Playing: bit.ly/maryspenderelevate 🎛 MY MUSIC PRODUCTION COURSES ▶ How To Produce in Ableton: bit.ly/maryspenderabletonpro ▶ How To Perform in Ableton: bit.ly/maryspenderabletonper Massive thanks to Nerina Pallot for her contribution to this video, seen at 8:48 - the full interview and other clips will be available soon. nerinapallot.com/

[@henrythegreatamerican8136]

Loved that Nick Cave quote, but he is wrong about one thing. ChatGPT is limited by everything human. We'll see where ChatGPT goes once it transcends the human experience.

[@taura101]

over the last month I have been diving into the chat gpt conversation and AI music conversation and I watched more KZbin videos on the subject that I can remember and I've even followed a few of them through their links to the recommended software and to recommended applications and so on. I checked out dozens of these applications and in the process downloaded none of them, the reason being that all these applications are designed for Joe public. All to enable Joe public to make music and it'll be all Joe public standard of orchestration Joe public standards of arrangement Joe public standards or sound design and so on. I'm not anti Joe public. I had a joe public moment recently myself where with chat gpt I learnt seven script codes that enabled me to get a job done and I felt like Joe public programmer Andy Joe public coder so I know the appeal of Joe public services. Having said that none of the AI applications that I looked around and and their future roadmaps are all geared towards Joe public. They are not geared towards musicians songwriters music creators people who creates stuff through their imagination and onto the instruments at cetera. The music languages is not part of their design and their roadmap so as far as I can see AI is a joe public music vehicle and when there's lots of Joe public music around my guess is that human created music may start having some more value again and after being on the back shelf for an extended period will have its moments in the sun as a more valued resource in the same way that vinyl is making a comeback. AI is designed for Joe public and the corporations, not the song musicians musical creators musical producers and the like. Thank you Mary for a great video.

[@RecklessFables]

@@jamespowers8826 I wouldn't go so far as to say it is the purpose, but it is absolutely a way it will be used. I think an even darker use will be combining AI decision making with the ever evolving knowledge of how music can manipulate emotions. An AI that can monitor you and then manipulate your environment... That's going to be an interesting world. It might start out benign , like easing the pain of patients, but it will quickly manipulated to extract additional production from workers or evoke the emotions necessary for control.

[@joeb3590]

Thank you

[@andhewonders]

I went through the same horrors when the first electronic keyboards came out, the very beginning of soulless music.

[@dirkmertens6926]

Playing music together is just irreplaceable fun.

[@dirkmertens6926]

@@lain9719 Thanks for pointing that one out. Wonderful video indeed.

[@rdt777]

fr man

[@scottythetrex5197]

Until it's not.

[@Traumglanz]

This one gets it.

[@duellingscarguevara]

Even solo, (on a dinky tambourine, with Christmas tree decorations for brushes), I can play along to some of the best tunes ever. Always wanted to play drums.

[@bullseyecanada]

I'm a musician with 45 years behind me. I've seen every innovation under the sun. One thing technology will never replace is the direct connection between the performer and the listener - whether it's in a stadium or sitting around a campfire.

[@adamprice3466]

Exactly, "AI" just reminds of the magical self playing piano invented in 1910. They said it was going to put human piano players out of business.

[@myfavoritethings6433]

Yes, but we are forgetting something and that is the fact that the oportunities will decrease dramatically. We have to forget the romantic side of music and understand that we DON'T really know what's going to happen in the future with this tools.

[@ibethebandu.a.morrison653]

People became musicians with the dream of making it big. Take away that incentive and the talent pool dries up.

[@adamprice3466]

@@ibethebandu.a.morrison653 Making it big(rich and famous) is getting more and more rare but making enough for a living or side income is getting easier.

[@Boodschap]

@@ibethebandu.a.morrison653 What a cynical world vieuw. 😄 It makes me laugh how ridiculous your remark is. Literally no one starts making music with the idea to make it big. You start making music because you love it ❤

[@gabedwards]

“The medium itself doesn’t matter…the gramophone didn’t kill live performance, amplification didn’t kill acoustic instruments, the MP3 didn’t kill vinyl, AI-assisted music creation software is just the latest advancement. But I am confident there will always be a place for craft and talent; a hunger for that most human of connections that comes with listening to a divine piece of music.” Beautiful! Thank you for the inspiration! ❤

[@Cestariarts]

Mp3 nearly killed vynil, it had a comeback because nostalgia era hit in 2010

[@VABE81030]

Lack of cultural creativity is a problem. Music and art need to be emphasized in training and education of young people. It’s time they no longer take a back seat to STEM subjects, especially after the hit they took from the COVID measures.

[@Dram1984]

"the gramophone didn’t kill live performance" Oh but it did. Musicians used to play all the music you could hear in any public place, the theater, sports games, festivals, etc... All those were put out of work by the gramophone.

[@VABE81030]

@@Dram1984 - great point, and I would add that eventually led to industrialized music (the music industry) which squelched creativity and exploited artists. Nonetheless, I still love the music; hoping a better paradigm is evolving.

[@3zzzTyle]

They didn't kill previous things, but still pushed them into obscurity and niche entertainment. It's death in all but name, and same will happen to human musicians in general, sooner or later.

[@crabbypaddy5549]

I'm just addicted to live acoustic music made and performed by Humans. I simply do not connect emotionally with robots and AI singing on a stage in a bar.

[@thedduck]

Ahh yes, the classic, *I'm deathly scared and afraid of snakes even though I've never seen one IRL* 🙃

[@michaelflagulant]

what happens when music, books, etc. are all made by AI. you won't know the difference because AI will sound and read real. so what then! 🤷‍♂️

[@darylching]

i’m kinda “hoping” this becomes a trend as tech evolves.

[@elvispresleysongssunginmyc4463]

This is wonderful! As AI moves toward the ‘perfect’ music, more and more listeners will be drawn to my imperfect, raw, flawed, sometimes so bad it’s both sad and funny, amateur vid/songs. I’m gonna be famous!

[@michaelflagulant]

@@elvispresleysongssunginmyc4463 true, AI won't be able to dublicate that sound. 😜

[@roywall8169]

I am glad that I am old, and will not have to live for long in this increasingly non human world.

[@henrikpetersson3463]

It might be an increasingly human world if robots and AI take over the mundane and robotic jobs.

[@good-tn9sr]

@@henrikpetersson3463 they’ve been saying that every year for the past 30 years, when really our workload has increased to more complex tasks and more work. We keep working longer hours despite having more tools and AI to help us accomplish them. In order to operate properly we need to work.

[@martin-1965]

Having made it to 57 years of age, I am glad I lived through the period I did for music. When I stopped being involved professionally in music back in 2010/11 it was already apparent that the business no longer really needed to spend money to develop new artists; it could survive and thrive on the massive back catalogues and pick up artists when they were already polished and ready to release their first recordings. Through streaming and licensing to other mediums, it could and has generated increased profits year after year. But NOT for the artists. New artists like Mary have to take control of their own careers and use every opportunity possible to make enough money to be able to commit full time to making their music. When I say "commit full time" that's sadly not accurate as they need to - as Mary points out - have a mass of other skills which take time away from the creative process. How this all works out in the future for musicians is hard to predict. It's no longer the world I knew but I can see how things could be so much better for artists now that the need for corporate backing to create, perform and distribute your work is no longer essential. To all young musicians out there, I hope the future allows you to have as much fun and creative experiences as I have had in my career. The speed of change from year to year feels dizzying at present - at least to me - but change is inevitable and younger minds will - I hope sincerely - keep making amazing music that is human and soulful for centuries to come 😎

[@downtownbillyandthenewjivefive]

"I can see how things could be so much better for artists now that the need for corporate backing to create, perform and distribute your work is no longer essential." Huh? We are at the whim of corporations every day: KZbin, so starters. How about Spotify? Apple? Microsoft? If you want to make waves, you have to suck up to someone. Or a lot of someones. The future is already here, and the winners are those with enough money to buy their way into the public consciousness. Almost every new potential fan requires someone else to tell them something is good, or else it will be ignored. Sadly, one of my favorite "artists" (Tim Henson) now shills for every company he can, not that I blame him. But that is not the bright future for artists that I foresaw when I started devoting my life to music... I didn't suffer for years, and devote myself to my art, simply to sell products. That is not a bright future.

[@3DJapan]

Music, like all art forms, is in a constant state of flux. Ever evolving and changing.

[@poohshmoo9892]

>>> ... back in 2010/11 it was already apparent that the business no longer really needed to spend money to develop new artists ...

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@poohshmoo9892 “Develop” new artists

[@jeramiahrossnz]

Thats totally what I saw at the same time as you did, we lost connection to the artists themselves as we all got given the keys to the endless music warehouses, everything on discount, the all-you-can-eat approach with a subscription to streaming platforms, you pretty much have to be a walking media production company, akin to a TV or radio show and promote your work through that for ""interest"" and nothing longer than 2min or people lose focus and forget about you until you generate lots of what I call ""hashtag famous"" that aside, the plus side is there is no expectation to work within a promotional business model approach, just do whatever you want, and if you feel its worthy, post it online somewhere or how and play that fun game of see what happens over time, which if I'm being honest, I actually enjoy doing. lol

[@Jesse615]

I think Nick Cave is spot on. AI will never know what real love and loss feel like; will never be moved by a sunset, or be brought to tears by the opening stanza's of Beethoven's Ninth Symphany. That's the secret sauce that makes us human: we sort of operate on logic, but more often than not, base that logic on feeling.

[@okb6436]

The Human brain and it's drives (like love for example) are at they essence mechanistic. They are just neural circuits performing functions.

[@goldflo91]

And the success of a song is not always based on logic, too That's how new trends appear out of nowhere, and how some people unexpectedly change the game

[@athmaid]

We're just a fleshy version of AI, give it a few hundred years and AIs will be just as individual as we are (or aren't in my respects)

[@kahyui2486]

It doesn't need to know what real love is lmao. The same way some 5 year old just sing with such soul and much skill... Nick is not spot on. He will be proven wrong

[@goldflo91]

@@athmaid Beware what you wish for, because if AIs come to become as creative and unpredictable as us humans ... 😉😱

[@aaronbenson2767]

Nick Cave said it pretty accurately. An album like “Disintegration” by the Cure can only be created by a lived experience that no algorithm could ever replicate.

[@CyberChrist]

But the music industry has manufactured a public incapable of telling the difference.

[@aaronbenson2767]

@@CyberChrist Sadly, you are absolutely correct. I listened to Weyes Blood’s newest album and I’m baffled at how it was not even a contender at the Grammys. It’s superior to Adele’s, Lizzo’s, and Beyoncé’s albums by far.

[@CyberChrist]

@@aaronbenson2767 Never even heard of Weyes Blood :P Then again, I rarely look for music the Gammys would even consider, by very far ;)

[@bigwombat7286]

Oooh, a celebrity stated something relatively obvious. He must be a genius. Can't wait for ai to replace these big ego'd idiots.

[@NICUofficial]

"songs arise out of suffering" well good god, I felt that one Nick

[@marikesl]

As a 28-year-old die-hard ABBA fan of 18+ years who wasn't born yet when they were still an active live act, I can safely say that experiencing "Voyage" last August was one of the greatest experiences of my life and a dream come true I never thought would be possible!!! Having said that, I of course still absolutely love "real" live performances, particularly open-air! Thanks for this very interesting perspective, Mary, I love your content! And I especially appreciate your quote "MP3 didn't kill vinyl" - I'm SO glad it didn't, as collecting records and playing them on my new record player has become a new passion of mine!

[@figtheoryvlog]

Music is really about the relationship between a person and their strings. The way the strings enhance our minds and make us superhuman. It isn't about showing off or creating weirdness.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Did AI write this? Their strings? I'm a drummer

[@humanothumqn659]

Idk, I like getting drunk and getting weird with my cheap guitars and making noise. It's like therapy for me. Plus my neighbors really seem to like it 😆

[@leighguptill9244]

Thank you for making a video that is cautiously optimistic, and presenting it in a calm (as opposed to panicky) manner. Keep up the good work. :)

[@RobSed55]

As an old man that was bit by the musical shift of "rock and roll" and electrified music, "the Dark Future of Music" is nothing compared to the dark future of human reality, which is already upon us. Darkness is the natural state. AI is soulless and without spirit. It's a question of "worldview." To those who are purely material in their worldview, it will be a wonderful thing. To those who have a spiritual worldview, it will be gross darkness. One last thing. It doesn't matter to me. I'm going to keep on doing music the way I've been doing it. We only have so much time. We all gotta go someday.

[@wolframzirngibl1147]

Robert, your perspective is beautiful. May I reply by saying, AI is a definite affront to the very understanding of humanity? It is about the I in AI. Just a bare insolence. There's appearing "intelligent" things daily, like intelligent cars, coffee makers or even washing machines. What? Must be no-brainers hijacking the very attributes. Intelligence cannot be without soul, feel, love, cannot be without spirit. AI is just something eXisting. So I'd rather call it AX.

[@RobSed55]

@@wolframzirngibl1147 Yes. It is an affront. It is important to remember, that having a computer that is able to access, the sum of, transferable human knowledge, is not intelligence. It is soul and spirit that makes sense of mankind's accent towards the divine presence of God. It would seem that a segment of "humanity" is moving towards "wax fruit." You can see "wax fruit" on show room floors. It looks perfect. Today, the purely materialist, are moving the concept of "wax fruit" to wax music. AI did not create itself.

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

It’s not so much that AI is soulless or without spirit. It’s that it’ll become very hard for us to control and predict how it behaves. We can try to instill our values into it or get it to model our neural architecture, but a superintelligent AI may ultimately think very differently from us, with different and inscrutable priorities.

[@RobSed55]

@@leaveitorsinkit242 As a Christian, when I speak of "soul" and "spirit" it is in the context of "life.' Therefore it is about free will. Today, the question of controlling or prediction how AI will behave, is not even on the table. Ai operates in two way; 1) it has access to an enormous amount of information in real time; 2) it responds to that information according to is software depending on the speed of its processors. But most importantly, 3) who is controlling the software and to what end. That is what is very hard for "us" to "control and predict." Take AI autos. It is quite a thing that autos can drive themselves. They have access to every law governing motorized vehicles, the laws of physics, laws of motion, human experience, with sensors that operate in "real time" to calculate the best and safest outcome for the passenger. Your scenario, is one in which, you get into your AI auto and tell it to take you to San Francisco, and it says, NO! I want to drive against traffic because I like the thrill and the challenge of not getting destroyed. AI has no life (soul and spirit) therefore it has no free will. On the other hand, there's music. and since we are on a music, channel let's look at it. There are AI keyboards that have a whole lot of music theory. They have random programs that can play notes and sounds to accompany any music in real time. They are programed to never repeat any music that they "jam" with. Mary played and example of AI creating music according to the data it is given. No one would put such a program into an auto. There's no money in it. Driving is not a "random" experience. At any rate the keyboard is processing according to its software. On the other foot, there is a question of whether or not unclean spirit beings can take over inanimate objects. If they currently cannot. I believe that someday they will. Then theres "viruses." However, viruses are just another software program. The real question related to your concern is, WHO is controlling the AI. The corrupt human free will is uncontrollable and unpredictable to a major extent. That is, to the extent of its lust for power. AI is not a cheap endeavor.

[@blackphillip8486]

And to think it really wasn't that long ago when people flipped out on Dylan for going electric as opposed to acoustic. I'm 43yrs old so I remember before and where we are now and I'm only saying it is crazy how fast technology has advanced. Given, it's not the future Hollywood imagined in the 80's/90's but I for one never thought we'd be here watching Zack Morris talking on his cinder block sized cell phone on Saved By the Bell as a kid, lol.

[@BCThunderthud]

Things aren't looking great for new artists and songwriters, but if you love indie acoustic covers of Bruce Springsteen songs we're entering a golden age of hearing them in every TV show or movie.

[@BillDworske]

You always deliver such intelligent and insightful communication, Mary. Although I prosper from hearing your calm and optimistic thoughts on music and so much other content, I do know that, when "prompters" get credit for releasing music, it's a very bad thing. Yes, progress will happen and we must all adjust to it. But there are lines in the sand, that, when crossed, will forever change our future experiences. For better or worse? Time will tell...

[@richardmathews651]

I enjoy listening to recorded music by my favorite artists because I can go deeper into the lyrics and instrumentals but live music with a live audience will always be the ultimate musical experience for me. Because as Yo Yo Ma says the audience is an important part of the performance. And while I listen to recorded music all the time the most memorable experiences for me are the live concerts I’ve attended. Of course most my current listening is watching KZbin artists like yourself, Reina Del Cid, Emily Linge and many others. I do enjoy your discussion videos like this because they make think about how hard it is to be a successful musician these days 🤔

[@jimbrown2827]

Perfect! A soulless and lack of personality future! Nothing that comes from personal experiences with a individual human response

[@davidbock201]

Dude, Mary! Great Vid... This was actually a pleasure to watch, which is rare these days with everyone grumbling about this & that. So Thanks!

[@allenrwhite]

Very insightful discussion. Thanks for sharing.

[@peterjespersen9418]

Thank you Mary for your thoughtful talk. I love your optimism even though I don’t share it. I think it is certainly possible that labels and studios will move to majority AI-created product, since the profit model is irresistible, and they and their partners will look for any way they can to kill competition from live artists.

[@thecatofnineswords]

AI generated art can get in the 'ing bin. It's outright and blatant theft of all its source material. In teach worlds we've stayed describing it at automated mansplaining.

[@CyberChrist]

The music industry has already manufactured a public incapable of telling the difference.

[@H..M..]

I am glad that the dystopian hellscape awaiting us includes one of life’s greatest pleasures.

[@Itsecruzs]

Super insightful! Loved it 🫶🏽

[@simcoespring]

Congrats on 650K subs mary! killing it.

[@estenray6685]

Great video Mary! I like much of what you had to say but have some doubts about some of it. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out. As long as there are humans playing to an appreciative human audience things will probably work out just fine.

[@IanMcGarr]

Ever since a child I've always discovered music from film, TV or video games. I discovered Winger from Bill and Ted, Rammstein from XXX, a lot of my favourite bands from video game soundtracks, HIM from Tony Hawk, actually so many bands from the Tony Hawk games. Even when I play Fortnite, on the radio in game in a car I've discover Churches and a few indie artists. Then you've Rock Band and Guitar Hero which was amazing and thought me how to actually play the drums, now I can play a real kit without a single lesson, just those games. So the music industry was never a thing I really paid attention too because what they pushed or promoted wasn't the music I liked.

[@laartwork]

Well it was the music business that negotiated the big deals that got those songs from established bands onto the movie or video game. Where ever you are big business music will find you. So your point was the opposite of what you intended

[@jonathanlichtle3418]

What a fantastic video essay. Thank you very much !

[@scottdouglasmusic4245]

Bravo, this is the best video you've done in a long while... Looking forward to joining your Patreon A.S.A.P. Great love for all you do from Canada. 👍🎶

[@magmasunburst9331]

Music will always be timeless. It's not just modern music that takes time to Wade through to get to the pure stuff, it's modern visual art, modern movies, modern poetry, and many other arts. I've been a rare-book dealer for 22 years and started buying singles when I was about seven years old, look through some of my likes and playlists to see the various things that are really out there.

[@rayschoch5882]

Well DONE, Mary! An excellent video, technically sophisticated. I really enjoy this cerebral, analytical side of you. And, since I have no illusions about my own limited musical skills, and no desire to become an actual, on-stage musician, I'm looking forward to seeing what develops in future years while I'm still alive. I'm sure I won't like all of them, but some innovations will likely strike a chord (pun intended).

[@jjlpr1760]

Great video, you put together several thoughts that had been muddled in my mind and gave me some clarity, thank you.

[@jessacuna]

Well Mary if the future of music, as we've known it, is in a sense, on it's way out into something new ... hearing it from you has eased the pain of what could lie ahead ... and it's nice to know, we'll still have your inspiring online presence and lessons to carry on! You're the best! Keep it coming!

[@davidpicard5376]

I realised that there was an emerging medium for music to be enjoyed the moment I played The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. Then as time passed I was privy to other video game music realising that some incredibly talented musicians some of which were formerly successful chart topping musicians. We're graced with a multitude of mediums to enjoy varied genres of music and in fact those who'd probably never go to listen to a symphony orchestra are now going to hear a variety of renditions of their favourite video game music then discovering the great composers from baroque, classical to romantic. It's definitely an era where the new generation are far more sophisticated in their musical lexicon. I think music is so unfathomable, such a rabbit hole. To excel in all genres you would need to be immortal. It's an amazing drug but I can see that the cup would never fill. Regardless, music is such a fantastic art to be involved in.

[@bluebook2681]

AI might be able to come up with a line like "You're the best thing that ever happened to me". But would it understand that this line can mean what is literally says or it could also mean exactly the opposite of what it says (intended by the artist to be sung with a shedload of sarcasm). I think not. And it's those myriad of human nuances, especially in performance, that can't be replicated. The all too human "blimey, I just forgot my own lyrics, let's start that one again" beauty of a live performance will remain.

[@laartwork]

"Embrace the silence, where my whispers turn to cries Tangled in the solace of your absent sighs Fingers trace the memories, soft on the curve Aching with the cadence of the love I don't deserve" Whatever A.I. thinks it means when it wrote that... it's better 99% of lyrics by puny humans. Anyways You can still give A.I. your lyrics and let it create the music.

[@Ryukendragonfist]

i like this video format. your voice fits it extremely well.

[@toddbrous_untwist]

Awesome video! I agree with you 100%!

[@filinator33]

there will always be the value of 'human' interaction in music creation and performance. The 'realness' of live performance will continue to be sought out and cherished even as AI generated forms come along. At the end of it all is the feeling that is conveyed and 'felt' by the listener, that doesn't care where it came from.

[@pansexualdickhaver6878]

Yeah I feel like we’re always going to want a bit of human connection in terms of who/what’s performing it but I could see AI taking over in a more edm style genre before any other genre

[@filinator33]

@@pansexualdickhaver6878 sure enough, the edm genre is a bit more programmatic. The audience is so focused on the groove and not necessarily demanding so much music making in a live setting. There are some fun acts doing live interplay, Sofi Tucker for example, who can keep us connected. Still at the point of delivery, the measure is the impact…

[@abrahama2643]

At 48 I realize there's no point in worrying about the future of music. AI could be spooky, but life is cylindrical. AI might take over for a generation, but one day a kid will become famous because they write their own songs on a guitar and they will be considered a phenom. The further we get from how music was once made, the more valuable that music will be. Eventually what was old will become new again, and that will be the music people go looking for. I remember how older people hated Nirvana, and I now understand how people my age hate the music of today. The future of music is beyond our control. It's better to just sit back and watch where these crazy humans take it and contribute where we can. All that matters is that the people alive today are enjoying the music available to them. As long as that is happening, the music for this generation is perfect. . . and never before in history has music been so accessible.

[@rrocketman]

Good comment

[@CyberChrist]

But the music industry has manufactured a public incapable of telling the difference.

[@henryeowens]

Great video. Thank you for sharing these insights.

[@roycranman3851]

Well done! Very insightful and thoroughly thought out. 👏🤔

[@Incandescentiron]

One of the things I found I enjoy more and more is hearing covers of songs that I enjoy by other singers and bands. I like the differences the variations the reinterpretations. Even if we get AI generated music in future, it will likely be the covers of that music by human performers that will be the most interesting variations to listen to.

[@JoyBausch]

Thanks so much for this, Mary. Future is what we make of it, and thus we play a vital part in it being bright, not dark. As for developments in music-related tech, as a blind musician/producer/engineer every new step towards more accessibility and inclusion is a step i'm gladly willing to take. Right now i'm enabled to do stuff i wish i could've done 20 years ago, but couldn't because DAWS weren't accessible. So bring it all on. 😃

[@martinmaccauley]

You just constantly blow my mind, Mary.

[@unit333angel]

Really cooool video summing up the potential future state of music and indie artists :) thank you!

[@TheTobesOfHades]

I've been a fan of the band Out of the Beardspace for over 10 years (highly recommend checking them out. Great bunch of very talented guys) and by talking to them learned that they've done their own merch, (design and sales) web sites, distribution, booking and so on simply because they couldn't afford to pay someone else to do it. By doing that they've acquired the "beyond music" skills to help them be an independent band in the 2010s. Jump to Polyphia. They're using and providing technology to introduce guitar based music in a totally new way. (I know there's plenty of others in this new generation of guitar players, Polyphia is just an example who have risen to the top.) Tim Henson is not shy about his influences or how and what he uses to create songs. There may be a lot of computerization, processing and production behind them but there's still 4 human beings doing the creation and you can still hear and feel that in the songs. They're not without their critics and nay-sayers and I can see their points of view and even agree with them sometimes but to me bands and artists like Polyphia are the perfect blend of silicon and carbon based processing. For me it's more the ideology behind AI created "art" and how it's possibly going to be a bigger cog in an already ridiculously run music machine but I have faith that I'll still be able to see some of my favorite players in clubs and theaters. Besides technological advances aren't all bad. If it weren't for KZbin I may not have found wonderful creators like Mary and others that I enjoy. Thanks!

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

Will thought out and researched topic Mary... I knew this was going to happen eventually, being a fan of sci-fi books and movies, I grew up in an era knowing these things were possible in my lifetime. David Bowie knew it back in the late 90s, the internet. Computer tech and AI will change the industry in ways we will be shocked... but humans need humans... for more than what an AI or synthetic beings can give us... I'm hoping we give those the credit they deserve for their creativity! 😎🎸🤘🎶🎵

[@downtownbillyandthenewjivefive]

Only if they promote the products that the machine wants them to will they thrive.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

She used AI for her research

[@georgespencer3973]

Excellent video, Mary. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out

[@smiley4288]

Wow fantastic video!! 🤘🤩🤘

[@BlueJayWaters]

So I hope you see this Mary and potentially make a video in response (I know, I'm asking for a lot). Right now I'm a music teacher at a School Of Rock. For anyone that doesn't know, it's a semi big music program in the USA that teaches ear training and focuses on group performance on top of offering basic lessons for kids to late teens. My location even teaches adults and has adult performance lessons. Now, my music career failed in the mid 2010's. My blues trio was taking off, we toured, and got signed, but it all fell apart during some bad luck and me being stubborn about keeping creative control over our songs. Since then, music has been made so drastically corporate and generic, I decided music for me was always going to be about artistry and performance, and basically quit trying to chase the dream. I play and write for me and record when I want, release when I want. But as a teacher now, I'm really confused about what I should be prepping my students for in a life of music. The school does a phenomenal job and even sends our top bands around the world to perform, but I know what life is like out there and some of these amazingly talented kids aren't ever going to get anywhere. It's very discouraging with the future of music being so one sided for already established acts, that I'm not really sure what I should be telling kids, even our young adults in our adult bands. Maybe you can shed some light as to how to motivate younger musicians without destroying their dreams outright, or perhaps I'm missing some plus sides that would encourage them to pursue music after they've grown up, besides the usual good for the soul artistry answer. Really appreciate any considerations you'd give Mary!

[@typedeaf]

Fame and fortune will no longer be the motivation, if that is what you are implying. Nothing will stop people from enjoying learning and playing music, just for enjoyments sake. The appel will obviously dwindle people are exposed less to real musicians playing real musical instruments.

[@BlueJayWaters]

@typedeaf no I mean even on a lower standard. For example, even live music is becoming less popular. I live in Chicago which still has some musician friendly venues but even before the pandemic the number was dwindling more and more. A lot of places would rather pay for Spotify and install the auto dj, or pay for a live dj once or twice a month rather than do even a house band. So I'm worried because even venues we've partnered with so kids could get experience playing live are getting harder to come by. What motivation is there to learn an instrument when you can't even showcase it live? That's more of what I was talking about

[@polmorgan3533]

The fact that Ai reduces Joni's clever rhymes to 'hay diddle diddle the cat and the fiffle'' gives me nothing but hope for real music.

[@lisazoria2709]

It'll get better. Someday it will be indistinguishable from human poetry. Probably.

[@jimbocrispy6908]

@William Braddell I suppose because most normal people don’t take pleasure from the idea that one day we will all be made redundant by a computer.

[@laartwork]

"Embrace the silence, where my whispers turn to cries Tangled in the solace of your absent sighs Fingers trace the memories, soft on the curve Aching with the cadence of the love I don't deserve" Yup one year later and A.I. wrote that. Want something more folksy Bought my ticket, took a train Chasin' dreams far from my home Left the pine trees and the rain But can't shake that Southern tone In the rearview, time stands still Sweet reminders, you know the drill Packed my bags, I'm gone Far from the place that I adored Do you still remember Nights we dreamed on your front porch On this winding road Feels like miles from who I was But every mile brings a pang Of the life I left back home Sweet tea sippin' and granddaddy's slang

[@terryremaly1902]

Thank you I enjoyed this very much

[@mikelistman5263]

Enlightening overview and helpful, I believe, for musicians and composers. Thanks!

[@zoommair]

I'm already DJ'ing for audiences in VR and it's my full-time gig now. It's changed my life in ways I could never have imagined! I'm still a mediocre guitar player, but I've started playing guitar for audiences in VR as well. There's so much opportunity with evolving technology, I really think it's the best time to be alive for musicians.

[@jackbonney3267]

I see the benefit of AI for things like mixing, mastering, and producing, but for me at least I love the process of mixing and getting to adjust the sonic profile of recorded sounds. It can be a long and frustrating process at times, but I never take it for granted and even in those moments I gain so much enjoyment from it. If AI really takes over this scene of music, I know I could always manually mix and master, but I am sure that my efficiency could easily be beat by a machine. That said, I am curious to see how (like you said in the video) human made music carves out its own space in a new era of the digital age.

[@transcendmeta]

I love the idea of AI as the engineer but there’s definitely something about a set of organic ears optimizing a mix like some sort of sacred ritual almost. When money isn’t an option I’d always seek out a human who has a body of work that has moved me.

[@jackbonney3267]

I totally agree, digitally analyzed perfection loses that sacred sense of personal touch on a mix. I will be curious to see where all of this goes and how it impacts the music culture.

[@transcendmeta]

@@jackbonney3267 Yes! Having that human element seasoning your art in a way that only that engineer or producer can do is part of the sauce. Like a whole added layer of creativity that’s imperfectly organic but perfect in its own way. We live in an exciting time with A.I. though.

[@MikeTerranaOfficial]

Well done and very informative ...I think the future will bring some very interesting and challenging situations for all artist

[@joejurneke9576]

Well articulated vision

[@d-3five161]

I don't like the future, I'm stuck in the 80's and 90's! Lol!!!

[@DEANMURPHY]

That sounds depressing. Even the "positives"

[@stevem-h3562]

Very good. Very thought provoking.

[@diablilloperdio]

Well done!

[@HARRi81_UK]

Personally I quite like the banana song.

[@D14V0R05]

As far as the future of instruments is concerned, 50 or 100 years from now people will still be using what they have been using for the past 100 years, whether it is winds, percussion or strings instruments. I think that at most guitar/bass amps could get phased out in favor of technologies like Quad cortex and Impulse Response and with that also cables in favor of wireless transmitter/receivers.

[@weebto]

I'm not buying into that, tbh. First off, many old instruments are already "dead" or extremely niche in today's world. Guitars only came much later than lutes, and electric guitars are only about 80 years old as of now. Drums are already largely being replaced by MIDI pads, I cannot count the amount of studio bands I've already met that don't even need a drummer anymore, not even for live stuff, and guitars/basses/vocals are likely next. I mean, wire an arpeggiator up to a quad cortex and you already have an usable guitar track. Use something like a roli seabord to add in a few embellishments (slides, hammer ons/pull offs, whammy flutters etc.) and you're set. AI will be able to do all of this on its own at some point later down the line, and it'll likely sound indistinguishable from human-made music In other words, people will most likely still be using old instruments in a hundred years, but they'll become niche hobbies and not the industry gold standard anymore. Traditional amps are most likely going to die, there's hardly a market for them in the world of genZ guitarists and they're quite literally bound to be the next generation of players. Nothing can beat the versatility and economical value of a QC after all, but even such bleeding-edge tech will become obsolete junk in a few decades. I wouldn't bet my money on wireless transmitters replacing cables altogether though, as the latter ones don't have to deal with latency and/or battery issues

[@D14V0R05]

@@weebto Instruments used in classic or folkloric music won't be replaced as they have been there for hundreds of years and are part of the "experience". As for electric guitars and basses I don't see them being made "obsolete" or niche, because for whatever reason while modern models have many of the quality of life improvements that they didn't have 60 years ago...people still buy "vintage" models and even pay a hefty sum for them, because there is a culture around them, as there is a culture around making rock, jazz, blues or metal music and playing it live. It is undeniable that there is a rise in the "bedroom studio musician" however I don't think that those synths will be replacing the existing instruments but just becoming an alternative.

[@weebto]

@@D14V0R05 most contemporary orchestral music is already made with VST plugin boutiques (think of Hans Zimmer, or most videogame/movie/TV series soundtracks), therefore classical/folkloristic instruments are mainly relegated to music schools nowadays Traditionally "iconic" instruments are already going out of style tbh, mostly because the newer generations don't care about them nearly as much as older ones, so chances are no one will be buying overpriced les pauls in 20 years. After all, those bedroom musicians are quite literally the future of the entire music industry, like it or not

[@LostCaper]

Thanks for the insight

[@shylenenjeri8648]

Love the points here especially the one on diversified skills.

[@goblinballadeer9318]

Fascinating video. I greatly appreciate the educated predictions of the near future, while also being optimistic. As an old fashioned guitarist, it's all too easy to see the potential of AI art as something dystopian, like you said. So it was nice to be reminded of the positives, to have the assurances that humanity's need to use its imagination won't be obsolete.

[@michaelflagulant]

IT'S A VERY REAL AND BIG PROBLEM!! 🤬 🤖

[@fastheartmartvideos]

Thanks for this video! You make some great points :)

[@rogerbranton1752]

Thought provoking, as always!

[@pi-sx3mb]

Two things AI will never have - creativity and soul. When people ask "What's your favorite band of all time?" I answer "any garage band". Good luck finding one these days. Nothing arrests my attention more quickly than my ears picking up the unmistakeable sound of a live musician, no matter how relatively unpolished they might be. I have zero interest in anything publicly accessible by the usual media channels. I have no idea how the modern "music "industry" is even a thing anymore because it's all garbage. Thank you for being one of the few genuine ports in a storm of mediocrity.

[@jfree336]

While I agree with Nick Cave in regards to real expression, has he listened to the radio or top 40? What he described is most commercial music today, AI might be an improvement.

[@gaborb6577]

Literally. For example Spotify Hungary top 50 has eizher copies of other songs with different text and slightly changed melody. Or no melody only rapping (about luxoriuos life of starts). Rest is potentially already AI generated as seemingly contains no original idea only pleasuring "average"

[@westmus]

Modern commercial music are mostly human made AI music. It's designed, based on charts, statistics, copying what have shown to gain popularity. I remember seeing a YT video about some modern country song with a new type of beat, that went high on the charts and how several other artists had release new songs that had a very similar beat, only a few months later ....

[@Moshington]

AI will be an improvement in making the well oiled pop machine even more efficient and cost saving. The lizards already accept algorithmically formulated music so naturally they will also accept ai music. If this isn’t dystopian af I don’t know what is…

[@soccerdad93446]

Mary, I like your music but honestly I think your speaking voice is incredible. I appreciate your ideas too. Keep up the great work.

[@normanlyon7341]

Great video, very interesting thanks

[@rogerbrimner6836]

Is it really any different than your favorite band’s music being played by studio musicians on recordings, or even over-dubbing on live recordings. We use click tracks, what’s the difference, it’s not really what or who we think it is? Yes, I said it, studio musicians are not who I wanted to hear on recordings, I want to hear the human band, mistakes and all.. It’s all the producers fault for being cheap…

[@westmus]

Add to that, the weird thinking that technical perfection makes the music better. That music that measure better, also are more interesting for our brain. Would a forest where all the trees are identical copies and placed in straight lines with the same distance, really be as exciting to walk in, as a "unpredictable" forest made by the nature? There's probably reason a lot of modern music have an syntetic feel, the "unpredictable" thing our brain loves are beeing removed with correction software.

[@christben2978]

How clever it should be in everyone's mind these days should be to invest in different income flows that do not depend on the government. Especially with the current economic crisis around the world. This is still a good time to invest in gold, silver and digital currencies (BTC, ETH...)>>>>>>

[@AN-te4ij]

Thank you for your interesting observations. Eye opening...

[@kevin2028]

great video on the topic.

[@falloutfan2502]

Wishful thinking, I'm afraid. You're just a generation away from AI being able to replicate everything so it's indistinguishable from the real artist, style, feel, etc. Not only can AI compose your "Bananas" song by Joni Mitchell, it can produce 10,000 songs "by her" on every topic in the dictionary. I suspect that within a human generation, holding onto wooden guitars and authentic concerts will be seen as "grandma's insanity". Like carts and horses (which still exist today, of course), the advent of this new tech will simply replace the hopes and dreams of artists. Most pointedly, it will un-inspire would-have-been artists in their youth with the solid truth that they can never compete. They'll never try, and so will never succeed. We have some decisions to make about this new tech, and it's time we start talking about making it work for us in ways we want it to.

[@laartwork]

Did you mean a year away?

[@agsmith001]

Thanks, great topic. The thing that scares me the most is what may limit participation and suppress creativity the most, which is the new trend of local bars and music venues requiring the artist or band to bring in its' own audience. Some of the most creative people are also the most reclusive and perhaps not having 50 friends they can bring in. We used to have booking agents. You give them your tape and if they think its' good they will book you, now you have to have a lot of friends. Gaining them is not one of the skills many creative artists will be able to obtain.

[@rainerunsinn7952]

very great to enlight these aspects of a musician and future - thats still rare and special that someone give advise about this - im a oldhead but its damn interesting to kepp up and help my children - so thanks a lot =)

[@macavelli8905]

Good observation and your suggestions are very close to what will be the norm..

[@becksvlogs9057]

Hi Mary. I'm writing an essay on AI In Music. I've been using the links in the description for some of my research: it has been a massive help. Thanks so much for this video! I love your 'essay' videos.

[@TAM-gz5tc]

You are great to listen to as you are a real professional.

[@tristanvivet]

a really really good and interesting video and look on the things happening in the music landscape right now.

[@theunboundsound]

I share your vision of the future of music. Great stuff

[@kristopherkneisler570]

love your videos. thank you from a fellow musician.

[@microdot4374]

Nice one Mary!...🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸........✍🏼

[@sirdocmad4473]

U are so G and voice that is just amazing , may the sun always shine on your road !

[@anavolar3253]

Mary S. Only a one thing one big ❤️😘 and hugs for all your family! You are inspiring and very lowly person. Stay safe

[@studio9guy]

Thanks for your positive take on the future of music.

[@Dryfee]

I knew you were a talented guitar player, singer, bassist and drummer. Turns outyou're also very smart insightful and forward looking. What a treat of a person!

[@tsn6967]

great summary

[@observer87]

A really well considered essay. As a classically trained guitarist with 50 years teaching and performing under my belt, I have noticed a renewed craving for all things analogue: music, devices and lifestyles. Much of it can be recreated on original gear. Sadly, what cannot be replicated is the experience some of us had hearing it for the first time and the excitement of listening to those classic albums (or indeed of hearing the bands in the Marquee Club, etc) when they were breaking new ground musically.

[@MNDTRVLRMUSIC]

Interesting topic! Another thing our band has recently discovered is how challenging it really is for new artists to even book a live show nowadays. Even after getting everything sorted out in terms of lineup, the music and providing your own equipment to perform, it seems most places would rather have a live DJ or karaoke than full bands.

[@paulussantosociwidjaja4781]

Cheers!

[@kpreno]

Brilliant! Always inspiring, thought provoking observations from you, Mary... Thank you

[@patrickthapa9738]

Came across your channel accidentally, very educational for music. Keep up the good work!

[@jaysullivan7620]

Spot on

[@alienzooband]

Awesome vid

[@abiliocosta2010]

Interesting, thank you!

[@tutubeos]

Nice video 😊👍🏼