In this interview spotlight, I chat with M. Vaughan about the upcoming EP (Keep in Touch), AI in music, choosing a favorite song of all time, 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?
Weirdly I used to work for an AI music generation company a few years ago, so I’ve thought about this a good bit. However, back then I think the technology was a bit more premature.
I would like to believe that tools are only as good as those who use them. Like anything else, they’ll make the barrier to entry lower, but also without proper steering they’ll make a lot of the same type of fast-food music. Sure, it will be easy to cook up a stylistically cohesive packet of music using AI tools, but to get something truly human and imperfect and creative and interesting, it will take effort and deep knowledge. As AI music gets bigger, I think more human processes will be more valued—analog synths, re-recording into a real room, off kilter drum programming, deeper sample digging, etc.
Also, half of the joy of art is the story behind it. Even if it’s made up, believing that this song you’ve heard is by a cambodian funk band playing with contraband instruments during a dictatorshup makes it more interesting. AI can’t replicate that.
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?
“For Reverend Green” by Animal Collective. I’ve always loved their mixture of raw musicianship, songwriting, and experimentation. This song is such a great example of all of that. There’s this big pulsating synth as the main element underpinning Avey’s vocals which are so poignant and raw. I used to listen to this one a lot when I was in high school and going through lots of emotions and I feel like this just captured youthful malaise so well. Also the screams are sick.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?
I have been an electronic music producer for the past ten years. I started a label in this world, DJed a bunch, and released music that people seemed to like. However, I grew up playing in indie rock bands and I’ve always had one foot in the indie music world. This record is me coming back to these indie rock roots, after being one foot on the dancefloor for a long time.
Also, over the course of this record I moved from Brooklyn to Berlin and finally to Lisbon where I live now. There’s a lot of longing, trial and error, and looking for “home” in these songs. Long story short, Berlin was hard, Lisbon is much better. Feeling pretty good here.
What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?
I think I need to for my sanity. Making music is a cathartic release for me. I also love playing with gear and experimenting. It just feels good and right and like an almost religious release when it’s going well.
I’ve been struggling with lacking motivation at times, especially as I now live in a pleasant, sunny place. I definitely create less than I used to, but I think there’s an emphasis in the US that we value people based on their output. Musical worth as a form of GDP. I try to be chiller now, go easier on myself. I make music often enough, and I love it when I turn the synths on a find a new melody, but I don’t beat myself up if the spark didn’t take that day. Trying to enjoy the process just as much as the output.
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.
Insides! They’re a duo from the UK that put out on 4AD in the nineties and semi disbanded up until recently. Her vocals are kind of Nico and the productions are so minimal and sick. Reminds me of Stereolab + Beach House + opiates. https://www.facebook.com/Insides.band/
Where is the best place to stay connected with You?
I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?
Thank you! Excited for this to drop. I’ll playing at Beginnings festival in Evora Portugal in mid-May and hope to put together some summer dates in and around the EU.
