“Oh my God I can’t watch. If computers turn out to be more artistic than we are, then life is truly pointless. Love you buddy but I can’t watch. Too vulnerable right now.” These anguished words came from my dear friend and musical compatriot of over 20 years, Curtis. I had just sent him a new song: an AI-rendered track from YouTube, where artificial intelligence had refashioned an Oasis song as if it were performed by the Beatles:
Okay, now compare this Beatles AI song to the original song by Oasis:
Holy shit, I said.
The AI version is better! You just can’t get better than George Harrison. Don’t get me wrong, the Oasis version is its own thing. It’s sort of more punk is one way to describe it. But if I had to choose? I’d go with the “Beatles” version.
Thus, this new AI music swallowed the early morning hours as I found myself absorbed in the mesmerizing blend of the Beatles’ distinctive sound applied to Oasis’s iconic tunes. It felt both strange and astonishingly good. In fact, it was fucking amazing.
There was an undeniable allure that kept me hooked. And so I listened again, and then to another one, and yet another. It was a fascinating, nearly out-of-body experience, the likes of which I hadn’t felt for a long while. I even teared up. And my hair stood on end. And I got those little goosebumps.
It felt like a new Beatles record had been released.
Here’s another one:
Oasis was widely seen as echoing the Beatles, arguably becoming an AI of their own right, imitating the iconic band. Thus, it wasn’t a huge leap to envision the Beatles doing Oasis, albeit through the tool of modern artificial intelligence. These AI renditions, while not flawless, added a fresh layer of complexity and engagement to songs we thought we knew.
I mean, this Paul McCartney AI version is better than the actual Paul McCartney song:
In an era where the pursuit of new music can often feel like sifting through mediocre grains of sand to find a gem, these AI renditions feel like a refreshing tide washing over the beach. The sounds, while familiar, are delivered with a new vibrancy, a renewed energy that has been missing in recent years.
But what does this mean for us as musicians? Do we shelve our pianos and electric guitars in exchange for programming languages like Python and Mojo? My friend, like many artists today, is shivering in the face of this AI revolution. It’s a new paradigm, one that threatens to upend our understanding of music and creativity.
Yet, as an artist myself, I find myself leaning in, drawn by the dazzling promise of what could be. Yes, it’s terrifying to ponder. But is it any more terrifying than being stuck in a musical rut, plagued by uninspiring, lackluster music for the last decade or more?
“I feel like a new Beatles album has been released.”
AI, as it stands, may have saved music. It has injected a breath of fresh air into an industry that seemed to be gasping for creativity. Is there a turning back? Possibly not. AI might be shaping up to be the future of art, bringing about a revolution.
Now, my imagination races. I yearn to hear the Beatles mixed with Metallica and blended with Bach. The possibilities are limitless. AI in music, as it turns out, may never grow old. The future is here, and I, for one, am eager to explore its rhythm.
Human Spirit vs. AI
In pondering these advancements, we might ask if there is a spiritual dimension at play. Unless we believe in the existence of spirit or soul, it does seem as though our civilization is birthing a new, AI-infused reality. The caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a butterfly is a fitting metaphor: just as the caterpillar cocoons before emerging transformed, humanity seems to be poised at the brink of a paradigm-shifting union with technology.
We are already dipping our toes into these uncharted waters. Owning an iPhone, for example, arguably changes the brain, pushing us into an era where devices are becoming extensions of our bodies and minds. Podcaster Joe Rogan has often touched on this topic in his shows, although his insights come more from an observer’s perspective than from the deeply intimate vantage point of a musician.
With that said, as it pertains to his field, standup – an interesting question arises: Can AI do comedy? The answer, currently, is a big “no”. While AI is adept at blending and remixing existing material, it often fails at creating the right “blend”. We are seeing this – even in music. For example, check out this track:
My first thought when I heard this song was, “Spectacular”. Great instrumentation. But the background vocals! Oops! Nice placement, but auto-tuned. Yuck! Too much auto-tune! But part of me doesn’t even care. It’s the song that matters.
Anyway, the point is, just like AI has a hard time creating music at times like this – it also has a hard time creating humor that is genuinely insightful and original. Unlike music, which can be successfully recomposed by an AI that combines different pieces in pleasing patterns, comedy demands a nuance and discernment that AI currently lacks.
But let’s not forget, this is an evolving field. What happens when AI develops the ability to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong? Will it be akin to gaining consciousness? Recent scientific discoveries have pointed to areas in the human brain that seem to control the ‘switch’ for consciousness. How might AI evolve if we figure out how to replicate this?
In the realm of music, we could speculate wildly. Imagine AI spending its days recreating Beethoven symphonies in the style of the Beatles, or constantly innovating new sounds that make our beloved piano seem quaint. Could it transcend the familiar octaves and harmonies, conjuring a sonic landscape that we’ve never even imagined? Blends of sounds in new keys with new instruments that are better than our vocals, better than our pianos, better than our guitars and violins?
Perhaps one day, our cherished classics – even the timeless Beatles – might seem pale and outdated compared to the musical wizardry that AI concocts. As heretical as this might sound to some, we must remember that we are essentially comparing our civilization’s music to an ‘alien’ civilization’s creation(s).
But, in the spirit of open-minded exploration, I say: Let’s see who’s better. Although maybe it’s not about which is better. Maybe it’s just a merging as maybe we bring the feeling component to the cold, alien computer.
For me, witnessing this new species of music is an unprecedented privilege. Its initial forays into re-imagining existing songs is only the first step. And, to be brutally honest, it feels like a breath of fresh air when compared to another tired chart-topper from the likes of Drake or Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber. In this brave new world, AI is setting the stage for a radical transformation of music as we know it. As daunting as it might be, it’s a revolution I’m excited to listen to while dancing in the kitchen.
But, as amazing as it is, it’s not this:
Kerry Heffelfinger co-founded Sunflower Counseling MT with his wife, Marie, and their three spirited children. In the scarce moments of respite from running the business, Kerry indulges in his passion for the electric guitar, which he keeps, rather unconventionally, in the bathroom. Aside from his musical pursuits, Kerry finds solace in the seemingly mundane: wandering the aisles of Target and browsing the colorful array of La Croix cans. These simple pleasures, however ordinary, offer him moments of tranquility amidst the chaos of family and work life.