The use of AI in creative pursuits remains controversial, and rightly so. The technology is renowned for using human creativity to train its algorithms, often without consent or permission.
By Graeme Smith
Having said that, it’s not going anywhere, and some artists are exploring its use as a creative art. I’ve seen some novel and unexpected uses which provoke thought and make a statement. Sometimes its more rudimentary. AI will never replace creativity, it’s not capable of it, but it can be used take away to mundane tasks.
Scooter Scudieri decided to make it his manager for his new project, The Musical Bruises of a Recovering Dreamer. He turned to ChatGPT to take him through a DIY recording and production process, letting him do what he does best, write and make music.
Musical Bruises is a classic-feeling record. Scudieri takes inspiration from the emotional world-building of the ‘70s and ‘80s to craft his brand of pop rock. There’s an organic warmth to the music itself, as far removed from the world of AI as you can get.
The confessional Crushed opens things honestly, setting the scene of the album before She Is The Sun proves the early highlight. It’s the record’s single for a reason. Bright, vibrant, catchy, and written for his wife Kelly, it combines a hooky chorus with a smile-inducing synth rhythm.
The moody disco groove of Heavy also proves a highlight. Its storytelling lyrics, delivered understatedly, hold the attention as the instrumental urges you to move, finally exploding in a brassy, memorable chorus.
From there we get a variety of styles from the folksy to the electronic. Title track Musical Bruises is a passionate wonder, as is the cleverly titled Super Calloused Fragile Misfit. To Live in This World ends things poetically and defiantly, tying up the album’s themes well.
Scooter Scudieri is based in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA. He’s been making music for 40 years and crafted his new album gradually over seven of them. Working in his basement before sunrise, using Logic Pro, Scudieri fully self-produced the project. If you’re interested in learning more of the story, he’s documented it all on Substack.
Previously he’s toured alongside Jewel and Jason Mraz, and has shared bills with the likes of Dave Matthews and Joan Jett.
If you want to keep up to date with what Scudieri is doing, you can by heading to his website, and by following him on Instagram.
The Musical Bruises of a Recovering Dreamer is out now, and you can listen to it below.