Indie band The Pocket Gods are putting AI and fans to the test with a dual album release. One was recorded by the band in a studio, the other was generated by AI. Both albums are available for listening.
The Pocket Gods are known for stretching the limits of the music industry, especially as technology and time have marched hand in hand. The band formed in 1998 while working at Tower Records in London. Since then, they’ve released a collection of 76 albums in unique methods, including the album Vegetal Digital. Only a single copy of this album exists on vinyl for sale—for £1 million.
Digital Music News has covered the band’s previous attempts at campaigning for fairer royalties from streaming services, too. They released a series of 30-second song albums since Spotify only pays royalties after the first 30 seconds in streaming. This release campaign was also featured in the film ‘Inspired: The 30 Second Song Story’ which can be watched on Plex and YouTube.
“We see a lot of musicians and artists being fearful of AI and what it may do to their careers, but I say worry about those shop or factory workers who will lose their jobs, that’s the real fear,” adds frontman Mark Christopher Lee. “We’ve been using computers and AI to some extent for a while in recording music, there’s no reason to see it as a threat but it can be a useful tool in the creative process.”
“As these two albums show in our opinion, you can’t recreate the complexity of the creative mind with AI and you definitely can’t recreate that rock n’ roll rebellious spirit that has always driven popular music,” Lee continues. Curious about the albums? You can listen to the studio-recorded album and the AI-generated album on Spotify and decide for yourself which sounds better.