Xander Nelson

AI is the antithesis of human creativity.

Speaking from experience (and as a Berklee grad), any work in the creative field (which obviously includes music) requires a good balance of imagination, artistic vision, and knowledge and competency with the craft. The more of those things we offload onto AI, the more authenticity and authorship we give up in our own work… not to mention losing out the beauty and skills found in the process.

There is an unspoken contract between any artist and their listeners that the music is a form of their artistic expression - the work of one or more human souls, reaching out to connect with others. Letting AI come into that relationship puts that contract into serious jeopardy.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real. It just has to be you.

Sure, in certain specific scenarios, AI has proven itself a useful tool. For that reason, it’s likely here to stay, and worth being familiar with to use in those few scenarios (or to know what you’re up against). But artists - PLEASE don’t let it start to do the work for you. I come to you and your art because I care about what YOU have to say - NOT what AI has to say FOR you, or how it has to say it.

What you might see as imperfections for AI to iron out just might be the quirks that make your artistic identity what it is… And losing that would be such a profound act of betrayal, to both you and your fans.

tonight with and ! Music starts at 9:30 🎸 ⛷️