Music: has the internet replaced artists with algorithms? – Charlie Hooper-Williams

It promised to empower artists and give listeners infinite choice. But has the internet turned music into a disposable commodity, replaced human curation with algorithms, and made it impossible for most artists to earn a sustainable living?

To help us explore the new world of music, we’re joined by Charlie Hooper-Williams, a critically-acclaimed composer, pianist & creative coder, and one of the developers behindmusic-identification app Shazam.

His new album ‘The Book of Fixed Stars’ is out now on The Way Beyond Music.

http://charliehooperwilliams.com

https://www.instagram.com/charliehooperwilliams

https://www.youtube.com/@CharlieHooperWilliams

In this episode, Charlie joins us to discuss his journey as a composer and pianist, the impact of digital technology on the music industry, and the challenges and opportunities presented by streaming platforms.

We also look at the changing landscape of music consumption, the role of algorithms in discoverability, the influence of AI on music creation, as well as advice for aspiring musicians and the future of music in a technology-driven world.

00:00 Introduction to Charlie's Musical Journey

01:31 The Impact of Digital Transformation on Music

02:33 The TikTokification of Music

04:17 The Devaluation of Music as an Art Form

05:32 Streaming Platforms: Exposure vs. Earnings

08:06 The Role of Spotify in the Music Industry

08:51 The Challenges of Discoverability in the Digital Age

12:17 The Evolution of Artist-Fan Relationships

17:52 Technology's Role in Music Creation and Distribution

20:04 Navigating the Modern Music Landscape

22:56 The Art of Live Performance and Technology

25:46 The Role of Algorithms and AI in Music

34:50 The Future of Music in a Digital Age

40:46 Advice for Aspiring Musicians and Creators

If you like what you hear, please follow the show, leave a review, or let us know what else you’d like us to look into at ⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠