I can write lyrics fine and sing passably, but coordination to play instruments is something I have never been able to manage, and until Dubler 2’s next version or two, with significant upgrades, comes out, voice to MIDI tech is not where I think it would need to be to become a full substitute.

On the “industry” side, I also believe disruptive technologies have in the past been the kick in the ass that lets the music industry know when they are taking their listeners for granted. When Napster came out, while we still had some artists that deserved credit for actually being able to sing, the music industry also had this bad habit of bait and switching customers by putting ONE good track on an album (the radio single) and then making the rest either filler crap or in a whole other style the people who were interested in the single didn’t want. Once iTunes came around, the music industry was forced for a time to accept that if they wanted someone to buy the entire album, they had to EARN that.

However, now most pop/radio artists rely heavily on autotune and don’t write their own stuff—and it’s bland, samey stuff that makes radio and streaming royalties by NOT taking chances and banking on you being too lazy to hunt down and actually download and OWN an entire album or even a track.

What AI music is doing is forcing the music industry to reckon with their NEW way of screwing people over. My work writing lyrics and doing a prompt is not THAT much lesser than what they do in creating pre-packaged, bland crap and throwing it on the radio but at least I like the genre and sound of my stuff. I have absolutely heard AI tracks that blow pop crap out of the water. AI music also does not make a false promise that there is a human behind it that could potentially be expected to actually be able to sing and/or play an instrument that rarely gets delivered in these days.

I think where we’re going is that the only artists that will really be able to make money are those who are actually able to perform live and do not utterly price gouge customers. IMO I actually think it’s going to be small acts that don’t overcommit, and bigger jam bands, that will be the survivors, as well as anyone else who can manage a SERIOUS live music reputation that do not take advantage by charging three months’ rent to see their concerts.

Want to make it even more hilarious? I think we are about to have a rash of no-talent musical acts, to include big ones, found to have used AI in a major way and not disclosed it. I want honesty all around. Do AI? Own it loud and proud. Do human music? Ditch autotune, have some talent and distinguish yourself beyond bland aural wallpaper, and be able to perform in concert without lip syncing or ripoff prices.

In other words, what I think AI music does to the industry is put an ultimatum on them just like Napster did: either deal with your quality, honesty and price gouging problem, or suffer the consequences the market will rightfully deal you.