In a landmark music industry moment, Irish independent record label Strange Brew are pleased to announce that today they become the first Irish based independent record label to sign an AI act, adding the anonymous act KLEM KolecUv to their roster.
KLEM have also been signed to UK independent record label Alcopop!, and received an undisclosed advance as part of their deal with both labels. They released their first single ‘Cyberstalkin’ Queen’ independently in June this year as a free download on Soundcloud where it has garnered some industry aIenJon by clocking up more than 1 million streams.
Their next single ‘Oppenhaimer’, featuring vocalist Day-V, will be released on Friday 20th September 2024 on all good digital plaUorms plus a limited physical NFT release through Strange Brew.
KLEM KolecJv is a not-for-profit project, and the group have revealed that any profits generated from their acJons will be donated to Orquesta Juvenil del Sodre Uruguay. The enigmaJc crew have yet to clarify exactly why profits will be donated to a South American youth orchestra, but all will be revealed in good Jme.
Whilst they may have a similar approach to some of the AI acts that have preceded them—using varying degrees of ArJficial Intelligence in the creaJon and producJon process—where KLEM are unique is that their reason for existence is not to profit from or promote the use of AI tools but, through direct experience, explore and document the impact of AI on music and art.
The group have been booked for a public appearance at Output Music Conference in Belfast on November 12th 2024. Here they will reveal their idenUty, describe their process, discuss why they exist, and display how their observaUons impact music, art, and society.
By remaining anonymous KLEM have circumnavigated the constraints of image and idenJty poliJcs, raising each release above customary commodificaJon.
CommenJng on their work, the KolecJv say: “Music, stories and art have been the threads that have bound the fabric of society together since Ume immemorial. Now as we witness the weE and warp of that fabric change irrevocably, as counterfeit threads are shot through the weave, we observe, we learn, we create, and now we choose to act. We are KLEM.”
The level of mysJque around the KolecJv is part of their intrigue; KLEM can be contacted through their social media channels, but none of their label reps have managed to speak to them directly yet. “We’ve been given a landline number, but we’ve been told that the phone ringer has been disconnected. Someone
from KLEM answers the phone at the same Jme every day, but we don’t know what Jme that is, and we haven’t called at the right Jme yet. We hope to guess right before the single drops in September.”
Strange Brew label manager, Gugai, says of the project: “We’re thrilled and a li_le scared to welcome our first AI act to the label. It’s a bold step into the future, but with KLEM KolecUv that step is an ethical one that promises to have a posiUve impact on the music industry in Ireland and beyond. We can’t ignore AI music, it’s here, it’s not going away, and it’s changing music as we’ve known it. KLEM are the first act to address this head on, and we’re excited to partner them in that. We all want to ensure that auto-tune doesn’t develop into an autocracy.”
When it comes to AI music elsewhere in the music industry, the genie is already well and truly out of the boIle. Kizuna AI is a Japanese virtual Youtuber and performer who built up 4 million followers on the channel ader debuJng in 2016. Kizuna has performed to both virtual and live audiences, taking a hiatus in 2022.
Capitol Records in the US signed AI rapper FN Meka in 2022. The robot rapper was dropped by the label less than two weeks ader releasing their first single. A significant backlash to racial slurs in the digital performer’s lyrics prompted Capitol to sever Jes with the act and publish an apology.
In Autumn 2023 Warner Music Central Europe signed Noonoouri, a virtual influencer and performer. Noonoouri counts Kim Kardashian among her fans, and has worked on campaigns with Dior, Versace and Vogue.