Innovative use of AI in music Industry

In this episode, Agnes Chung, Senior Director of AI & Search at Songtradr, explains how AI is transforming music discovery by enhancing the search process and playlist creation for brands and music supervisors.

She emphasizes that while AI serves as an efficient support tool, the human creative touch remains irreplaceable in storytelling and artistry.

0:00 [Agnes]: I'm Agnes from Hamburg, Germany. I studied musicology and computer science, which led me to evolve in the music tech area. I've worked in the music industry for 15 years and believe that unknown artists need support so their songs can be discovered.

0:30 [Agnes]: Our vision was to help music be found. When we founded Music Cube, we recognized the abundance of great music worldwide, and that brands, agencies, and music supervisors need quality tracks for advertisements, TV spots, and more.

0:53 [Agnes]: That's why we joined Songtradr. Songtradr is a B2B sync platform for brands, agencies, and music supervisors, helping make vast catalogs more visible. Even though Spotify has over 80 million songs, in our world we typically encounter only two or three thousand.

1:20 [Agnes]: We wanted to make music catalogs more discoverable and searchable for customers, especially on Songtradr. The persistent question remains: where can I find the perfect song if I don’t know the artist's name or song title?

1:45 [Agnes]: That’s where AI comes in. It tags a song by mood, instruments, voices, vocals, and even the tempo—using common descriptors to make searching for the ideal track much easier.

2:10 [Agnes]: Often, clients have a specific artist in mind, but if the artist is too expensive, they request similar songs with comparable sound or mood for their TV spots.

2:33 [Agnes]: Clients provide a briefing outlining the video concept and desired music. Our music supervisors then create the perfect playlist, with the AI tool supporting both internal and external searches on the Songtradr platform.

2:56 [Agnes]: The AI tool serves solely as support and does not generate content. We do not produce AI-generated music or video, ensuring it only helps search through our extensive database.

3:21 [Agnes]: AI supports song discovery from a massive database, without replacing the human element. While generative AI tools exist for videos and audio, the human story behind each song remains essential.

3:49 [Agnes]: AI can only replicate what it learns, not create an original narrative. We want to preserve the creative process as a uniquely human endeavor, using AI only as a supportive tool.

4:17 [Agnes]: Think of AI as a new instrument, similar to a drum machine, that can provide unexpected creative inspiration. Some artists use it to explore beyond genre boundaries, blending styles in innovative ways.

4:40 [Agnes]: Essentially, AI functions both as a creative tool and as a search tool. Brands, agencies, and music supervisors need licensed, pre-cleared songs—especially for the dynamic demands of social media.

5:07 [Agnes]: Speed is crucial today. Unlike the long-term planning of TV spots in previous decades, modern social media requires rapid, precise matching of music to content.

5:32 [Agnes]: Social media's fast pace means that the perfect musical match must be found almost instantly. Our AI tool empowers brands and agencies to quickly create playlists that capture the moment.

5:58 [Agnes]: This rapid approach is a global phenomenon, just like social media itself. At the same time, it's essential to navigate licensing and rights distribution to ensure proper usage in specific regions.

6:22 [Agnes]: On the industry side, managing rights with labels and publishers is critical. When possible, I experiment with tools like ChatGPT to rethink and refine ideas.

6:47 [Agnes]: I'm more of a traditional musician who prefers playing an instrument over using generative AI for production. Nonetheless, I enjoy exploring AI developments through various newsletters and mailings.

7:13 [Agnes]: It's overwhelming to see the flood of AI tools as everyone explores the limits and potential of AI. I believe that, with time, fewer but higher-quality AI tools will prevail.

7:39 [Agnes]: I appreciate tools that emphasize thoughtful training data and clear goals. I'm fascinated to see how creative professionals—from graphic designers to musicians—leverage AI as a supportive instrument.

8:08 [Agnes]: I enjoy reading newsletters, joining mailing lists, and exploring how people worldwide are using AI. It’s inspiring to learn about emerging tools and innovations.

8:32 [Agnes]: Keeping track of everything is challenging due to our natural filter bubbles. I have experimented with tools like Midjourney and sometimes ask ChatGPT for recommendations on new AI tools.

8:58 [Agnes]: Ultimately, I rely on newsletters, forums, and blogs to stay updated on the latest developments in AI.