what the hell is on joey's head

30th October 2009

Interview with Clive Davis

I have a theory that the music recorded with auto-tuners is being produced exclusively for robots. Have you really listened to this stuff? It’s like easy-listening for C3P0.

I think for a record to be successful, or for an artist to be successful over a period of time, they have to deliver. Not just in the studio, but in a live setting.

But what if this music is triggering some emotional response in robots? What if it’s inspiring them to lash out against their creators?

These artists could have hit records—and maybe they’re doing it with the technology you’re describing, and it’s a hit record disguised by a lesser talent. But then they go on tour and they can’t deliver, and they might have a hit record but they’re not selling albums. To really survive as an artist, you’ve got to be able to do both.

Yes, I understand that. But how do we stop the inevitable robot uprising?

(Long pause.) I guess there should be vigilantes to prevent that from happening.

(VF.com)