In this interview spotlight, I chat with Las Nubes about the latest release, AI in music, dream collabs, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some Ais a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?
This is a really tough question to answer, so we’ll answer it just on the music front. In the question you use the word “write” when you talk about students using AI for musical purposes, however, aren’t they merely “prompting” it and it’s generating whatever based on the prompt? That’s our very rudimentary understanding. Actually writing something, at least music-wise takes some time, thought, maybe even a little bit of experience – even just experience listening to music through our human-animal senses. AI-generated music could be fun, silly, weird, challenging, etc., but not truly written in the traditional sense. Furthermore, what about the performance element? Yeah, there are a lot of studio projects and genres of music where live performance never comes into play, but there are more where it does. AI as it exists now and probably for some time won’t be able to play a live set in a shitty dive bar. Even if it could, would you go see it?
I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not favorite, in your top 3?
We’ve been asked this before and said if we absolutely had to choose Ale’s is “Unsatisfied” by The Replacements and Emile’s is “Cherry-Coloured Funk” by Cocteau Twins.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?
Interpreting “project” as our newest album for this answer, yes, we wanted to show some versatility in the songwriting and styles compared to our debut album. We’re constantly growing and changing as people and as musicians, and we aimed to convey that. The back story is just that – capturing changes in our lives, relationships, interests, tastes, abilities, etc. and sharing them through song.
What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?
The unparalleled interpersonal human connection that comes from sharing ideas and experiences, especially those born of art and music-making.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? Please plug them with a link so readers can check them out.
We’ve also answered this before, so we’ll keep that consistent as well. Ale: The Breeders, Emile: Ray Cooper (Elton John’s live percussionist).
Where is the best place to stay connected with You?
We’re on most socials as @lasnubesband and we also have a website: lasnubesband.com, but we’d love for folks to come see us live!
I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?
While answering this there was an iguana clawing at the window in Emile’s rehearsal room. Nails on a chalkboard are NOTHING compared to iguana claws on thin glass.
Tour Dates
8/7: The Sardine in San Pedro, CA
8/8: Transplants Brewing Company in Palmdale, CA
8/9: Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, CA
8/10: The Holland Project in Reno, NV
8/11: Argus Bar in Chico, CA
8/13: The Big Dirty in Eugene, OR
8/14: Turn! Turn! Turn! In Portland, OR
8/15: Bearded Monkey Music in Yakima, WA
8/16: Clock Out Lounge in Seattle, WA
8/17: The Shakedown in Bellingham, WA
