AI removes the most annoying part of music for business people — the musicians.
One way I am adapting my music to the ecosystem is abandoning the slick studio polish sound of modern recordings, and instead letting the output be raw and choppy. Letting the flaws shine through. The flaws are more interesting and also harder for the AI to replicate.
I love that approach. With AI, everything will start to look and sound the same: UI interfaces, marketing copy, song structure. So the best way to differentiate is through being the most human!
I agree and subscribe to this! I just recorded my third album in this style- live takes, very minimal edits and effects. The old way of recording has a warm feel to it that I really enjoy.
I do roots music so it's easy to get that effect- Since I know nothing about it I'm very curious, how do you do that with experimental EDM? What elements of production help differentiate from sound like AI production?
What I have published now doesn't reflect this, but it's mostly in the vocal artifacts that I incorporate into the song, almost as instrumentation using pitch correctors and filters, bit crushers, etc.
My next album will be all of this. I also use lots of non-traditional breaks, bridges, and constructions. very little verse, chorus, verse. Or when I record with my gf, we include the little riffs we do, discussing what we like, or if the cat meows and it shows up in the recording.
This article nails it — the flood of AI-generated music may fill the streams, but it often lacks the heartbeat that connects artists and fans.
As someone who uses AI tools in the studio but starts every song from my own samples and real human voices, I see clearly that technology is just a tool, not the soul.
The challenge is not creating more music — it’s creating music that matters. Music that carries stories, scars, sweat, and spirit.
Fans don’t just want sound; they want connection, meaning, and a glimpse into the artist’s world. That’s why live shows, vinyl, and grassroots scenes are thriving despite the digital noise.
The future of music lies in artists and fans reclaiming culture together — where AI can empower, not replace.
Respect to all pushing for depth in an age of endless streams.
— Fotios Mytikas Producer & Creator of A.I Artist "Roselune Everly"
I’m an independent producer, not a singer, and I don’t have the budget or time for a traditional artist career.
I work another job and raise my child as a single dad. Music is my passion and escape, something I create in my free time.
Making Roselune Everly a “Hybrid AI Artist” lets me blend human emotion and technology to tell stories I couldn’t otherwise share.
It’s not about hiding behind AI — it’s about expanding what’s possible for me.
— Fotios Mytikas (a.k.a. FoiVosX)
Producer & Creator of Hybrid A.I Artist Roselune Everly.
Why Hybrid?
CREDITS
LYRICS & MUSIC: Fotios Mytikas (FoiVosX) Music Re-created with A.I Tools based from original beats, melodies created by FoiVosX on professional programs
PRODUCED BY: FoiVosX
PERFORMED BY: Roselune Everly (Hybrid A.I Artist)
RECORD LABEL: Interactive Studios
VOICE DESIGN: AI voice modeled from real recordings (based on Eirini Machaira)
Such a thoughtful description of current state of music - I 💯% agree with your future outlook. Fantastic - happy to follow along with your work thanks to this post!
I do follow a lot of djs, and use last.fm and Shazam. So I build my own catalog, my playlists. Also I think maybe music in Brasil is different, so yeah
This is so heartening to read as an artist getting started building community slow and steady. It will be so interesting to see what happens with this shift
Great piece, looking forward to reading more from you about what comes next!
I had this eerie feeling a couple years ago in a grocery store. I’d stopped hearing yacht rock classics like “What a Fool Believes”, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”, and “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” and started hearing songs that sounded like uncanny Yacht Rock slop.
I’m really into how retail music affects consumer behavior, and it’s sad to think AI slop is reflection of what’s going on in our heads
The joy I get from playing instruments, singing, and fucking around in garage band without removing all the idiosyncrasies of how I play and sing. Gillian Welch has it right when she says “ everything is free now, that’s what they say. Everything I ever done, gonna give it away… that we’re gonna do it anyway, even if it doesn’t pay”
Very well written! Just shared this with the Icelandic music community of which I am a part. There's of course a lot of debate here as well (when will we see the first Björk vocal fake?), and especially since a lot of Icelandic composers rely on salary from the film and advertisement business.
How do you see combatting convenience? Napster was convenient and fans flocked. Streaming was convenient and fans flocked.
Discretely owned formats are currently inconvenient. Decentralization is inconvenient. There are technical solutions BUT it’s inconvenient to stop chasing social metrics and the current model.
Convenience wins and that’s the challenge for culture change.
Something I think about a lot too. I don't fault individual consumers for choosing convenient options / the option that makes the most sense for them financially. A product is worth what someone will pay for it, but we have clear signals that people will pay more than the cost of a streaming subscription for all sorts of "non-practical" reasons like self-expression, support, mementos. So part of the solution is tapping into that demand. But there is also a case for changing the incentive structure!
When you say pay more than sub price are you thinking of Bandcamp where people pay above asking?
The various direct to fan porn sites give all kinds of clues as to what people pay for and it often boils down to access to something. Either content not available elsewhere, direct interaction, or even in person experience. To continue my earlier comment, these sites have made something more convenient…
I make my own playlists, often adding songs I've heard on KEXP (tagline: "where the music matters"). The playlists the apps generate for me are just visual clutter on my apps' home screens. I don't think I've ever clicked one.
Emily! This was a life-giving read. Thank you for crafting it. It really seems like we're in a space and time where leaning into the imperfections that define us and the moments that can't be replicated (live) while jettisoning the channels that have failed us (streaming) is our future. Thank you for illuminating that so clearly!
100%
AI removes the most annoying part of music for business people — the musicians.
One way I am adapting my music to the ecosystem is abandoning the slick studio polish sound of modern recordings, and instead letting the output be raw and choppy. Letting the flaws shine through. The flaws are more interesting and also harder for the AI to replicate.
I love that approach. With AI, everything will start to look and sound the same: UI interfaces, marketing copy, song structure. So the best way to differentiate is through being the most human!
💯💯💯
Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it too,
we have to be overly human.
I agree and subscribe to this! I just recorded my third album in this style- live takes, very minimal edits and effects. The old way of recording has a warm feel to it that I really enjoy.
I do roots music so it's easy to get that effect- Since I know nothing about it I'm very curious, how do you do that with experimental EDM? What elements of production help differentiate from sound like AI production?
What I have published now doesn't reflect this, but it's mostly in the vocal artifacts that I incorporate into the song, almost as instrumentation using pitch correctors and filters, bit crushers, etc.
My next album will be all of this. I also use lots of non-traditional breaks, bridges, and constructions. very little verse, chorus, verse. Or when I record with my gf, we include the little riffs we do, discussing what we like, or if the cat meows and it shows up in the recording.
Very cool, looking forward to it
🙏
This article nails it — the flood of AI-generated music may fill the streams, but it often lacks the heartbeat that connects artists and fans.
As someone who uses AI tools in the studio but starts every song from my own samples and real human voices, I see clearly that technology is just a tool, not the soul.
The challenge is not creating more music — it’s creating music that matters. Music that carries stories, scars, sweat, and spirit.
Fans don’t just want sound; they want connection, meaning, and a glimpse into the artist’s world. That’s why live shows, vinyl, and grassroots scenes are thriving despite the digital noise.
The future of music lies in artists and fans reclaiming culture together — where AI can empower, not replace.
Respect to all pushing for depth in an age of endless streams.
— Fotios Mytikas Producer & Creator of A.I Artist "Roselune Everly"
Why do you not create this music with your own name as the artist / why do you prefer to be represented by an "AI artist"? (Curious, not snarking)
Thanks for asking!
I’m an independent producer, not a singer, and I don’t have the budget or time for a traditional artist career.
I work another job and raise my child as a single dad. Music is my passion and escape, something I create in my free time.
Making Roselune Everly a “Hybrid AI Artist” lets me blend human emotion and technology to tell stories I couldn’t otherwise share.
It’s not about hiding behind AI — it’s about expanding what’s possible for me.
— Fotios Mytikas (a.k.a. FoiVosX)
Producer & Creator of Hybrid A.I Artist Roselune Everly.
Why Hybrid?
CREDITS
LYRICS & MUSIC: Fotios Mytikas (FoiVosX) Music Re-created with A.I Tools based from original beats, melodies created by FoiVosX on professional programs
PRODUCED BY: FoiVosX
PERFORMED BY: Roselune Everly (Hybrid A.I Artist)
RECORD LABEL: Interactive Studios
VOICE DESIGN: AI voice modeled from real recordings (based on Eirini Machaira)
That sounds like a really fun project.
Thanks! It really is. I’m enjoying exploring new ways to blend human emotion and AI. It’s a unique journey balancing life, art, and parenthood.
"The Amazon Basics of Music" really hits the mark. Great piece, Emily. I'm so glad you're covering this beat!
Thank you!
Your article hit at exactly the right moment! I'm currently composing my Dear John letter to Spotify.
Can’t wait to read it! 👀
Exceptional summary of what I’ve been feeling for the last couple of years. And an exciting call for possibility!
Thank you so much! It’d definitely an uncertain time for many, but ultimately I am hopeful.
Such a thoughtful description of current state of music - I 💯% agree with your future outlook. Fantastic - happy to follow along with your work thanks to this post!
For me, Spotify is a music player, not a catalog.
What do you use as your "catalog"?
I do follow a lot of djs, and use last.fm and Shazam. So I build my own catalog, my playlists. Also I think maybe music in Brasil is different, so yeah
This is really, truly, excellent. Thank you
Right words well said
thank you kindly 🙏
This is so heartening to read as an artist getting started building community slow and steady. It will be so interesting to see what happens with this shift
Great piece, looking forward to reading more from you about what comes next!
I had this eerie feeling a couple years ago in a grocery store. I’d stopped hearing yacht rock classics like “What a Fool Believes”, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”, and “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” and started hearing songs that sounded like uncanny Yacht Rock slop.
I’m really into how retail music affects consumer behavior, and it’s sad to think AI slop is reflection of what’s going on in our heads
Oh NO, "uncanny yacht rock slop" sounds like a bizarro Spotify Daylist title 💀
The joy I get from playing instruments, singing, and fucking around in garage band without removing all the idiosyncrasies of how I play and sing. Gillian Welch has it right when she says “ everything is free now, that’s what they say. Everything I ever done, gonna give it away… that we’re gonna do it anyway, even if it doesn’t pay”
Love that song <3
Very well written! Just shared this with the Icelandic music community of which I am a part. There's of course a lot of debate here as well (when will we see the first Björk vocal fake?), and especially since a lot of Icelandic composers rely on salary from the film and advertisement business.
Thank you for sharing! Yeah I imagine there is a lot of anxiety from composers and musicians who make a lot of their music income from sync 😔
How do you see combatting convenience? Napster was convenient and fans flocked. Streaming was convenient and fans flocked.
Discretely owned formats are currently inconvenient. Decentralization is inconvenient. There are technical solutions BUT it’s inconvenient to stop chasing social metrics and the current model.
Convenience wins and that’s the challenge for culture change.
Something I think about a lot too. I don't fault individual consumers for choosing convenient options / the option that makes the most sense for them financially. A product is worth what someone will pay for it, but we have clear signals that people will pay more than the cost of a streaming subscription for all sorts of "non-practical" reasons like self-expression, support, mementos. So part of the solution is tapping into that demand. But there is also a case for changing the incentive structure!
When you say pay more than sub price are you thinking of Bandcamp where people pay above asking?
The various direct to fan porn sites give all kinds of clues as to what people pay for and it often boils down to access to something. Either content not available elsewhere, direct interaction, or even in person experience. To continue my earlier comment, these sites have made something more convenient…
I make my own playlists, often adding songs I've heard on KEXP (tagline: "where the music matters"). The playlists the apps generate for me are just visual clutter on my apps' home screens. I don't think I've ever clicked one.
Emily! This was a life-giving read. Thank you for crafting it. It really seems like we're in a space and time where leaning into the imperfections that define us and the moments that can't be replicated (live) while jettisoning the channels that have failed us (streaming) is our future. Thank you for illuminating that so clearly!
Thank you for the very kind words!