AI music + two live releases + EP done
Hey everyone,
Over the past couple weeks I’ve re-released two of my songs to streaming services as stripped down live piano-only versions.
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about the propagation of AI-generated music and fraudulent streaming (Over 30,000 AI-generated songs are published to streaming platforms every day and 70% of the streaming activity is coming from bots) and honestly, it’s put me into a weird sort of depression.
I’m not all that surprised that the major streaming platforms haven’t locked down on AI-generated content and fraudulent bot streams, because I assume that as long as there is some money to be made, it shall be allowed. Meanwhile, independent artists continue to suffer as targets of bot streams, and have their music pulled from streaming sites (e.g. R.I.P. “It’s a Long Drive To Christmas” 2024-2025 👼)
Despite this, I really don’t feel a long-term threat from AI-generated music. I do a combination of things that it will never be able to do; pump blood, show up in a room, play the piano, sing songs, and someday, die.
I also continue to be a whole person outside of the music, who is raising kids, working a job, riding bikes, etc.
I don’t think you should feel bad if you’ve listened to AI-generated music, or even found yourself enjoying it. After all, one could make a convincing argument that mainstream commercial pop music has been following a “generative” recipe for decades now.
I think there’s a timeline where we see AI-generated music essentially cannibalize the pop music industry. Pop music will be generated because it’s relatively easy to replicate, has a fine-tuned recipe for success, and most importantly, has the biggest market.
AI-generator music people (???) will learn firsthand how impossibly difficult it is to promote music, and either a) give up or b) give in to shady practices like bot-streaming.
I don’t believe most people using AI to generate music can persist long-term; deep conviction is what keeps artists going, despite the uphill battle.
I think we’ll continue to persevere as independent musicians who create imperfect music, full of heart, hurt, authentic lived experience, and that has something to say. And market trends show that independent musicians are taking an increasing piece of the overall music market share.
How is this impacting me? As much fun as I’ve had the last few years making a lot of sounds from within my computer, I can already feel myself leaning back out to pick up and play my instruments more; plugging in microphones to record the resultant air vibrations.
So with that I’ll leave you the live piano versions of “Colors of the Leaves” and “Bones”. I do hope you’ll enjoy these single-take manifestations of my songs.
colorsoftheleaves.iamdavehawkins.com
oh - and yes the EP is done. I just received the final mix of the final track from Sean (mix engineer here in Denver) and it’s sounding great. A quick master and I will have this 5-track album ready to share with you all!! Appreciate ya hanging with me this year while I spent 2025 producing this record that I’m incredibly proud of.
With love,
-Dave