Some thoughts about AI and Integrity.
I have issues with folks wanting to be known as artists without putting in thinking or leg work. I do not mind saying it. I’m a creator and a fan of what humans can do. My problem isn’t so much with AI. I can see its many legitimate uses everywhere. My problem is folks who use AI to make so-called “art.”
First, 99 percent of AI visual stuff looks dorky. It’s why I removed all art but like 2 actual photos from our BandCamp. Now our “art” is a piece of notebook paper with the title typed on it. I’m not a visual person. A lot of times, I can’t remember what folks even look like, even if they’re close to me. It’s startled me several times. One reason I love photos so much.
Another reason is I don’t want to waste anyone’s time. Our album covers now hopefully give the impression we don’t use AI. We actually enjoy thinking stuff up. We aren’t visual artists like we want. We can’t afford to hire for art. So, blank piece of paper. Hope your ears dig it.
Integrity, what is it?
The main reason I’ve divorced myself from AI in art is integrity. And frankly, this is the reason that bugs me about other artists into it. Whatever hoops you jump through to make it okay, not just in your head, but that place that wants good things for other human beings, not just yourself, it isn’t worth it. It’s because of integrity.
Integrity is an interesting word. Merriam Webster’s definition.
Even in Webster’s, “artistic values” is mentioned in the first definition before we get to the second definition describing holding the ship together and lastly, we talk about fitting in the collection.
That’s a helluva word for an artist.
My experience works much like the definition in that order. I hold myself accountable to values I will stick to for projects. Then those values somehow become cornerstones to many aspects of the project, including sound, lyrics, performance, etc. Then after several projects, not only do I hear how my output hopefully improves, integrity has shown up over time across projects. That’s affirming to see. Album to album the music can be very different, but it will have our mark. We are proud of it by the time you get to hear it. That’s integrity.
AI robs integrity.
None of that happens with AI. Just likes and follows. That’s what it sounds like too. It sounds like a kid saying “watch me hold my breath!” Kids are cool, but adults who claim to be artists, I don’t have time. I don’t feel bad about it at all. Those folks obviously don’t have time for me either.
When we hand someone something we didn’t make ourselves and we want them to think we did, it violates a terribly old and necessary code. It robs us of the title “artist.” We start at the bottom with integrity, even if no one finds out. Integrity is tricky that way.
Careful you aren’t just being selfish.
If this isn’t important to you, maybe you like getting attention more than the world of art. That’s just being selfish.
I saw a guy during my last few weeks of social media who mystified me with the bullshit he was telling himself. He believed it too. How do you start with that? It doesn’t have anything to do with ability. It has to do with what they think is right for the listener, and what they think is wrong. They’re very different than me in that they don’t seem to mind wasting your time.
Play the motherf*cker.
My issues tend to resolve faster the more I practice. Right now, we are headed to the studio in August, so I am practicing a lot. I notice when I practice a lot, I learn about what I like and what I don’t like. That’s the stuff that winds up in my music, what I like. Didn’t need a computer. Didn’t need a course. I just played guitar for a while.
Return to home.
