Podcast Summary
Revolutionizing presentations with AI technology: Canva's AI technology saves time and reduces anxiety when creating presentations for work, while the music industry explores the fusion of old and new recordings to create future hits
Technology, specifically Canva's AI, is revolutionizing the way we create presentations for work. This not only saves time but also reduces anxiety when presenting to colleagues. Meanwhile, in the world of music, the future might lie in the fusion of old and new. Music executives and artists are increasingly using samples, remixes, and interpolations from older songs to create new hits. This trend was explored in the first episode of The Vergecast's new series on the future of music, featuring an interview with music journalist Charlie Harding. He discussed the growing popularity of repurposing older recordings and detuning voices to make them sound more contemporary. These developments suggest that the future of music could involve a greater emphasis on the past, with old songs serving as a source of inspiration and raw material for new creations.
A long history of vocal manipulation and music: From crooners to contemporary pop, vocal manipulation has evolved from microphone technique to commonplace tuning and creative effects, with technology making voice alterations like pitch or gender perception easy.
Vocal manipulation and changes in music have a long history, dating back to the era of crooners like Sinatra, where microphone technique played a significant role in creating auditory illusions. Early vocalists had to adapt to technological requirements, such as ensuring consistent recordings by minimizing vocal fluctuations. In contemporary pop music, vocal manipulation is commonplace, with artists using tuning and creative effects to enhance their sound. The use of technology to alter voices, such as changing pitch or gender perception, is also relatively easy and common. Selena's estate's decision to update her music using these techniques can be seen as part of a larger trend of finding and updating older recordings. While the processes are related, cleaning up old recordings often involves removing background noise and separating instruments, whereas manipulating voices for creative or age-altering purposes is a more targeted application of vocal processing tools.
Navigating the use of technology to recreate or update a performer's music: Transparency and clear communication with fans are crucial when using technology to recreate or update a performer's music to maintain authenticity and avoid fan suspicion.
The authenticity of a performer's voice and their recorded music is of great importance to fans. The human ear is highly attuned to the human voice, and any deviation from the natural sound can create confusion and suspicion. This is especially true in pop music, where the performance of authenticity is deeply ingrained in the genre. While technology has made it possible to recover and update old recordings, doing so can be challenging and may not be well-received by fans. The use of impersonators or ghostwriters can further erode the perceived authenticity of a performer. The Beatles' release of previously unreleased recordings with the surviving members performing in the style of the deceased members serves as an example of a transparent approach to such situations. Ultimately, transparency and clear communication with fans are key to navigating the use of technology to recreate or update a performer's music.
The authenticity and intent of artists matter in music: Fans desire to connect with artists' original vision, and the use of AI-generated voices in music raises questions about authenticity and artist intent. The legacy of artists continues to drive fan engagement and the continuation of their music.
The authenticity and intent of artists continue to be significant factors in the consumption and creation of music. The Beatles' final recordings using John Lennon's tape and Paul's vocals illustrate this, as fans desire to connect with the artists' original vision. The debate around the use of AI voices in music also raises questions about authenticity and artist intent. While there are potential applications for using AI-generated voices for missing notes or art projects, the cultural significance and acceptance of such creations remain to be seen. The legacy of artists, such as Prince and Frank Zappa, who have left their groups or passed away, have shown that fan engagement and continuation of their music is a strong market, but it must pass through the authenticity tests of the audience.
AI transforming music creation and fan engagement: AI tools enable artists to separate and manipulate music elements, driving new forms of expression and fan engagement on platforms like TikTok, potentially impacting music discovery and consumption trends.
AI technology is revolutionizing various creative industries, particularly music, by enabling new forms of expression and fan engagement. For instance, AI tools like Audio Shake are helping artists to separate and manipulate individual elements of their music, enabling them to create remixes and mashups that were previously impossible. This trend is particularly prominent on platforms like TikTok, which is driving music discovery and consumption in new and innovative ways. Whether this is a passing fad or the future of music remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: AI is transforming the way we create, consume, and engage with music. Additionally, the discussion touched upon the potential use of AI voices from deceased artists, suggesting that this could be another area where AI technology makes a significant impact in the music industry.
Interpolations and remixes in music culture: Interpolations have doubled in the last 5 years, young artists are popularizing this trend by updating old hits, similar to Hollywood's reboot strategy, a way for artists to pay homage to the past while creating something new.
Interpolations and remixes have become increasingly popular in music culture, especially with the rise of social media platforms like TikTok. Interpolations involve borrowing musical elements from another song, such as a melody or lyric, and updating it into a new song. This trend has been on the rise in the last five years, with interpolations doubling on billboards and the Hot 100. Young artists like Young Gravy, Latto, and Rita Ora are popularizing this trend by updating old hits and making them relevant again. This trend is similar to the Hollywood strategy of rebooting old films, as it's easier and more cost-effective to market something that is already familiar to audiences. The cycles of popularity in social media and music seem to be increasing in length, but interpolations and remixes are here to stay for the time being. It's a way for artists to pay homage to the past while also creating something new and exciting.
Music publishers pitching interpolations to major artists: Music publishers leverage streaming's transparency to extend catalogs' value by interpolating popular songs and selling to major artists for predictable revenue.
The music industry is experiencing a surge in the number of songs being released daily, leading to intense competition for listeners' attention. Music publishers, who own the songwriting credits, are actively seeking ways to extend the lifetime value of their catalogs by pitching interpolations to major artists. This bidirectional trend is driven by both the listeners' preference for popular music and the publishers' desire for predictable revenue streams in the unpredictable world of entertainment. Streaming has changed the game by providing more transparent revenue data and making it easier to revive old catalogs through covers, biopics, and documentaries. The practice of buying music catalogs for predictable revenue is not new, but the predictability offered by streaming has made it more valuable than ever. Paul McCartney's famous advice to Michael Jackson about the value of music publishing is a testament to this trend that has been ongoing for decades.
Streaming platforms revive old hits for classic music lovers: Streaming services offer access to classic tunes, making it an attractive market for publishers and companies to buy catalogs, create new versions, and maintain quality.
The music industry is evolving, with streaming platforms playing a significant role in the revival and reimagining of old hits. For older generations who love classic music, streaming services provide access to their favorite tunes, even if they can't find them in physical stores. The predictability of listener behavior and revenue generation in streaming makes it an attractive market for publishers and companies. They are buying catalogs, working with artists to create new versions of old songs, and ensuring high-quality output to maintain the value of the music. However, there are limitations to this business model, as not all music has a current fanbase, and there may be a finite number of catalogs to buy. Overall, the industry is adapting to the changing culture and consumer preferences, focusing on intelligent and value-building approaches to engaging with old hits in new ways.
Maintaining the Lifetime Value of Music Intellectual Property: Music publishers use various strategies to prolong the value of their intellectual property, including reigniting fan interest and advocating for longer protection periods. The music industry is constantly evolving, with opinions divided on fair use and creative control.
The music industry is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging and old intellectual property being protected for as long as possible. Copyright explorations mean that all work will eventually enter the public domain, but music publishers are actively pursuing strategies to maintain the lifetime value of their intellectual property. This includes constantly reigniting fandom and petitioning the government for longer protection periods. In the music community, there is a mix of opinions on fair use and creative control. Some people want to sample freely, while others prefer that every use is paid for. The future of music is difficult to predict due to its fast-moving nature, with new technologies and trends emerging every year. While some may see this as a loop of recall, others see it as an opportunity for humans to continue participating in music in creative ways. Ultimately, the music industry will continue to adapt and change, with a focus on preserving intellectual property and embracing new technologies and trends.
Nostalgia wave in music: Current music trend features nostalgia in older genres and blending modern sounds with past elements, artists continue to innovate while past influences remain strong.
We are currently experiencing a significant wave of nostalgia in popular culture, particularly in music. This trend is evident in the resurgence of older genres like disco and the success of albums that blend modern sounds with nostalgic elements. While this nostalgia loop may not last forever, it is a prominent feature of our current cultural landscape. Artists continue to push boundaries and innovate, but for now, the past is a powerful influence. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how long this nostalgia trend continues and what new trends will emerge. In the meantime, we can enjoy the music and art that draws from the past while also looking forward to the future.
