10 Musicians Noted for Using AI

Brian Eno

Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of generative music, Brian Eno has been creating ambient and generative music since the 1970s. His “Generative Music 1” and “Generative Music 2” software systems have been influential in the field.

Björk

Icelandic musician Björk has incorporated generative elements into her albums, such as “Biophilia” and “Vulnicura.” She collaborated with software developers and composers to create interactive and generative music apps for her audience.

Holly Herndon

Known for her experimental electronic music, Holly Herndon explores the intersection of human and artificial intelligence. She has used generative techniques to create immersive soundscapes and interactive performances.

Autechre

This pioneering electronic music duo, consisting of Rob Brown and Sean Booth, has been creating complex and abstract generative compositions throughout their career. Their music often combines intricate rhythms and evolving soundscapes.

Alva Noto (Carsten Nicolai)

A German composer and visual artist, Alva Noto has embraced generative music as part of his creative process. His works often involve minimalistic and glitch aesthetics, with generative algorithms shaping the sonic output.

Ryoji Ikeda

Japanese composer and visual artist Ryoji Ikeda explores the realms of generative music and audiovisual installations. His works incorporate precise mathematical patterns and data-driven structures.

Mark Fell

Mark Fell is an experimental electronic musician who utilizes generative systems to create intricate rhythmic patterns and textures. His compositions often involve algorithmic processes and generative software.

Richard James (Aphex Twin)

Known for his innovative approach to electronic music, Aphex Twin has incorporated generative techniques into his compositions. His album “Selected Ambient Works Volume II” features generative elements and evolving textures.

Laraaji

Laraaji is an American musician and ambient artist who has utilized generative music techniques to create mesmerizing and meditative sonic landscapes. His music often incorporates improvisation and relaxation elements.

Tim Exile

Tim Exile is a British musician and innovator who has developed his own generative music software, such as “Flow Machine.” He uses these tools to create dynamic and interactive live performances.

New Bjork cover song from Rosie Thomas, Sufjan Stevens, The Shins and others

For her new Bjork cover of “All is Full of Love,” indie musician and singer Rosie Thomas enlisted an ‘indie’ all-star cast of guest vocalists for a virtual choir, including Sufjan Stevens, The Shins, Iron & Wine, Alexi Murdoch, Charily Theilen, Kanene Pipkin, William Fitzsimmons, Dawn Landes, and a bunch of others.

The cover track is off of the Lullabies For Parents Vol 1 EP, a “multimedia series of resources, entertainment, and encouragement for parents of all ages featuring music, podcast, videos, essays, assorted content and community that promotes finding common ground, connection, and comfort.”

The song is undeniably beautiful rolling through cycles of choir infusions. The problem is, however, that it is difficult to hear the full force of all of those voices as a listener would expect.

Nonetheless, and to be fair, unless you’re seeing the choir, or virtual choir, at the same time (like the famous Live Aid video from the 80s) then everyone’s voices pretty much get drown out, not to mention the music.

Perhaps one of the things that Quincy Jones did brilliantly with the song, and video, was to record them at the same time, in the studio. But even more than that, Jones realized the ‘drowning out’ effect and therefore had individual solos for a number of the top vocalists of the time – MJ, Bruce, Bono, Michael Stipe, etc.