Ecobyte
Collective

Rick Rubin, in his book The Creative Act: A Way of Being, talked about his belief that "the audience comes last." He said he doesn't make music for the masses, but for himself — and that when someone makes music truly for themselves, because they love to do it and not merely for some prospect of profiting by it, they are essentially engaging in a devotional act, often described as an offering to God. In doing so, this inadvertently ends up being the best gift one could give the audience.

Today's world — and especially the music business — is full of people making music for money. I'm not saying it's wrong to profit by sharing a creative talent, but if that's the main focus, it's likely, in my opinion, that the focus will drive the content, and that content will often become lifeless and boring.

I don't care if AI tools are used in the process of making music. I rather care that music is made in the process of using AI.

Does that make sense? While it might be "cool" to profit by the artistic presentation, I personally am far less motivated by any such hope. I love music, and I enjoy making music.

From the first drum I banged on as a kid, the first guitar string I plucked, the first piano I worked out chords and choruses on, the first digital workstation I sequenced sounds and tracks on, and the first Suno track I put together by uploading songs I wrote myself, sung, or played the guitar to set the melody — it's all the same to me, because it flows from my heart.

"The world doesn't need Christian music as much as it needs Christians making music."

— an artist from the Jesus People era of the 70s

This is a similar line of thought to what I am trying to express, because my faith also motivates what I do — it flows from the joy and truth of my relationship with my Creator. But I have no interest in trying to fit into an "industry." I just want to be a part of making music that makes me smile, honors God, and promotes joy for others.

— David Yeubanks