Photo credit: Newshub.ai
Are Robots Taking Over?!
In recent years, the music industry has been getting a somewhat fabulous makeover thanks to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, which have been strutting their benefits in multiple ways. From composing and arranging the sickest beats, to creating the most personalized playlists on streaming services, AI-powered superstars like OpenAI's MuseNet and Jukedeck are rocking the stage and pushing the boundaries of musical creativity.
But hold your applause! Some might be worried that AI could steal the spotlight from our beloved human musicians. However, the truth is, technology is here to harmonize with the creative process, not to upstage it. It's all about teamwork, as collaborations between human artists and AI-generated tunes pave the way for a symphony of innovation.
Take, for example, the trailblazing British musician Taryn Southern, who released the groundbreaking album "I AM AI," a beautiful collaboration with AI maestros like Amper Music and Google's Magenta. These robot virtuosos laid the groundwork for Taryn's music, which she then fine-tuned into her own unique masterpiece. But the party doesn’t stop there! This technology has also been busy remixing the listening experience. With AI-driven algorithms, the once exclusive artform of audio mastering is now accessible to most. Services like LANDR are here to give your tracks the perfect polish, making audio mastering affordable and accessible to a wider audience.
And finally, Artificial Intelligence is like the ultimate DJ, spinning personalized recommendations on music streaming platforms. By studying your listening history and identifying musical patterns (even copying your favorite artist's voice), AI can craft the perfect playlist to keep you dancing all night long. So, let's raise a glass to the future of music, as machine and human creativity come together in perfect harmony! Imma still book my DJ friends though 🎶
A New World of Performances
Once upon a time, live music was all about gathering in a crowded venue, waiting for your favorite artist to hit the stage, and dancing the night away. But once I saw a hologram of Tupac, I was mind blown.😳 Extended Reality or XR technology is intended to combine or mirror the physical world with a "digital twin world" able to interact with it. VR or virtual reality allows fans to attend concerts virtually, transcending physical limitations and bridging the gap between the artist and the audience like never before (Source: Forbes, "How Virtual Reality Concerts Are Taking Live Music To A New Level," 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamos/2019/08/12/how-virtual-reality-concerts-are-taking-live-music-to-a-new-level/).
Platforms like MelodyVR and TheWaveVR have been at the forefront of this revolution, offering fans immersive, interactive, and mesmerizing virtual concerts that transport them to a whole new world. Imagine slipping on a VR headset and suddenly finding yourself in the front row of your favorite artist's concert, or even backstage, without leaving your living room! The VR scared the hell out of me playing Jurassic Park though so I would rather see my favorite living artists in person.
Travis Scott performing in AR: Fortnite
Feeling the Beat in Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is the integration of digital information with the user's environment in real time. Unlike VR, which creates a totally artificial environment, AR users experience a real-world environment with generated perceptual information overlaid on top of it. While virtual reality concerts are making headlines, AR is adding a new dimension to the way we experience music.
AR-powered apps and experiences allow fans to interact with their favorite artists in innovative ways, blurring the lines between the digital and the physical. Imagine pointing your smartphone at your favorite album cover and watching it come to life, revealing exclusive content and interactive elements. Artists can now use AR to create virtual music videos, interactive album art, and even digital merchandise that fans can explore, collect, and share with others. The opportunities for creative expression and fan engagement are endless! I need Faded Truth in every reality okkkkayyy!
The Sound of the Future: Spatial Audio
But XR isn't just about the visuals – it's also changing the way we hear music. Spatial audio, a technology that creates a 3D soundscape, allows listeners to experience music as if they were surrounded by it. This cutting-edge audio technology is making its way into XR experiences, giving fans an even more immersive and realistic experience of live performances and recorded music. Imagine feeling the bass drop not just in your ears but all around you, as if you were in the heart of the action at a live show. Spatial audio has the potential to change the way we consume music, offering an unparalleled listening experience that is more engaging and emotionally powerful than traditional stereo sound.
Extended Reality is turning the music industry on its head, offering fans new and innovative ways to connect with their favorite artists and experience live music. From virtual concerts to interactive album releases, XR is ushering in a new era of creative expression and fan engagement that transcends the boundaries of traditional live performances. As artists continue to experiment with XR technology, one thing is for sure: the future of music is as bright and bold as a Lady Gaga outfit. So, strap on your VR headsets, grab your AR-enabled smartphones, and get ready to dance the night away in the world of Extended Reality!
Blockchain and Crypto's Romance with the Music Industry
The music industry is getting a fresh new beat, thanks to the disruptive duo of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. These technological marvels are reshaping the music landscape and giving artists more control over their work. Blockchain: The Decentralized Maestro of the Music Industry is making waves in the music world, bringing transparency and empowerment to artists everywhere (Source: Ujo Music, "Ujo Music x RAC: The Future of Licensing," 2018, https://blog.ujomusic.com/2018/01/11/ujomusicxracthefutureoflicensing/).
Platforms like Audius, Ujo Music, and Choon are leveraging blockchain's decentralized nature to create ecosystems where artists can distribute their work, manage their digital rights, and receive royalties directly – all without intermediaries. Imagine a world where artists have total control over their music, setting their prices and determining how their work is used. Blockchain makes this possible, giving musicians the freedom to express themselves and connect with their fans on their own terms.
But the music ain't stoppin there! Cryptocurrencies and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are adding a splash of color to the music scene, offering artists innovative ways to monetize their work and engage with fans. Musicians can now sell digital merchandise, limited-edition collectibles, and even virtual concert tickets using cryptocurrencies and NFTs. These digital assets not only provide a new revenue stream for artists but also allow fans to own a piece of music history. I always said I need to drop an episode in the Metaverse!
The Future of Media Distribution: A Mogul in Tech & Music
My most recent guest, John Nichols, is a tech guru responsible for major success in mixtapes, streaming, app building and distribution. Born and raised in Miami, John grew up and gravitated towards hip hop culture and quickly made waves in the music industry. After he decided to take a step back and a leap of faith, Nichols created the Stugo App, an app allowing artists and content creators to find studios across the US at affordable rates. He then founded Perfect Distro, a space of opportunity for independent creators to monetize from over 50 digital platforms, as well as receive hands on assistance.
In this episode, we chop it up at a Vegas studio that’s now available on the app! John reveals some exclusive info on how he pioneered the mixtape industry years ago and how his major success led him to build what is now a creative empire. We talk how AI has helped us both with content (shoutout to Chat GPT), but it can never replace real blood, sweat and tears. THE GRIND NEVER LIES!
His platform, Perfect Distro, is really a breath of fresh air. If you aren’t a creator, you may never understand the stress, time and money we put into our crafts, sometimes to receive pennies in return from billion-dollar companies who monetize off our content. Nichols is excited to develop the movement of easily accessible space and monetization for influencers and is using his advertising and marketing skills to make his next multimillion dollar business! Do yourself a favor and go make yourself some money at https://perfectdistro.com
Click photo below for a preview! Full episode of gems available at https://www.fadedtruth.com/episodes
