by Abhi Parasher
The thought-provoking new film, The Computer Accent, is an AI rock doco, following indie pop group YACHT as they use cutting-edge data analysis tools, machine learning, neural networks, sci-fi instruments, and generative composition strategies to create a new kind of human-machine album, melodies, lyrics, artwork, videos, and all.
The band struggle with complex new concepts as they attempt to forge their own path through the brave new world of machine intelligence.
“Back in 2017, we decided that we wanted to create an album in collaboration with AI — from soup to nuts — using machine learning to generate notes, lyrics, sounds, and even band portraits, videos, and album artwork,” says Claire L. Evans [below], lead singer of the band. “The process took several years to ideate and execute and required tons of collaboration with machine learning researchers and other artists.”
By putting AI to the test in the name of art, YACHT asks probing questions — what does Artificial Intelligence mean for the future of music? Can artists subvert obsolescence, making vital new work even as automation threatens their livelihoods? Can a machine learning model truly be “authentic”? Will convenience destroy creativity?
“Ultimately, making an album that we felt comfortable putting our names on, involved a lot more human effort than anticipated, and while we came away from the process understanding AI as a powerful tool (and potential foe), making this album gave us a newfound respect for the complexity and effort of human creativity, and how rewarding it is to struggle through the process of making something. The Computer Accent is a window into that experience, and a crash course in the future of music.”
In the film, the band sits back as research scientists whiteboard their way through explanations of neural networks. They struggle to make themselves legible to the machine by translating their entire back catalogue of music into data. They wade through thousands of pages of machine-generated song lyrics and tear their hair out trying to play strange, AI-generated riffs on guitar. Ultimately, they question their own roles in a future where software anticipates, generates, and synthesizes human work.
Featuring interviews with AI researchers, pioneers, curators, and artists, this highly entertaining documentary takes us on a musical journey that goes right to the heart of our current moment, posing big questions around art, technology and authenticity.
The Computer Accent will screen at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 16 July 2023 at 4pm AEST. The screening will be introduced with a Q&A featuring YACHT lead singer and author Claire L. Evans, in conversation with Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo.
