Introduction
This is a hybrid project. I’ve decided to self-publish this very quietly because it does, indeed utilize AI technology. Every time I try to publish to the usual places, I feel like I’m being stopped at the border and asked to produce my passport. I’m not trying to monitize anything. I simply wanted these tracks to be heard. So what’s the basis behind an hour-long expanded list of songs? Over the years I have accumulated an entire closet full of unfinished demo tapes. Reel-to-reels, 4 and 8 track multitrack cassettes, digital files that go all the way back to the days of N-Track and Cool Edit Pro, right up until present day. Some were started in professional recording studios… most were done in a garage or a basement studio.
What’s “Real”. What’s Not… and Why?
Every track has elements of the demo tapes in them. Guitars, drums, bass, backgound vocals. It all just depends which track and to what degree. However, the lead vocals are, indeed, AI generated.
As for “why”: The young man who wrote these songs no longer exists. In his place is a 58 year old man with neuropathy in his hands and legs, coupled with crippling arthritis. I can no longer stand long enough in a studio to record. My hands no longer work well enough to play an instrument. Who was it that said “youth is overrated”? Yeah, he’s full of shit.
Additional Thoughts
AI assistance…whether it’s Suno or something more “in-depth”… is not something I am ashamed of as an artist or creator. I wrote and arranged every note, every lyric that went into this project, and in most cases, I did this many many years ago. I am on these recordings. This is my work. I’m proud of it. Would I use generative AI to help me create if I still had full use of my hands and could record these tracks on my own? Why the fuck not? So for those of you who say “he cheated!!! He used AI!!!”… piss off, bro. Let’s see you do better.
A Friendly Reminder
This collection is in “Pre-Master” stage. While a lot of work has been done to remove analog hiss from the demo tapes, some artifacts still exist, but I opted to use the tracks anyway, rather than reproduce them through AI. Final equalization and mastering will be done some time after the new year. Why? Because I have a blown ear drum at the moment. Yeah. Damn. Once they’re finalized, they’ll be available for download. Call this a “Listening Party”
Anyway… not bad for an autistic kid from Pittsburgh. I hope you enjoy it.
Track Listing
- Nothing Sacred
- Steal My Last
- Lessons
- Facades
- Autocratic For The People
- Wings To Fly
- If Truth Were Told
- Gallows
- Safe From Harm
- The Puzzle
- Purgatory
- Don’t
- Back Against The Wall
- Midnight On Venice Beach
- She’s My Soul
- Parasitic
- Extremes (The Perfect Cage)