Fort Worth, Tex., April 3 – Rock sensation Nelo takes center-stage tonight at The Aardvark as they debut their new self-titled album for the first performance of their spring tour, Whiskey and Love. “The Aardvark was one of the first venues we played at in Texas, and we all love coming back here because it feels like a party atmosphere,” said primary songwriter and rhythm guitarist Matt Ragland. “The crowds in Fort Worth have always been enthusiastic and supportive, so it was an easy decision to make it a part of our tour.”Their evocative lyricism and energetic stage presence displays a camaraderie that the crowd can’t help but join. Ragland said that the band worked hard on the new album for two years, constantly tweaking and perfecting the production in order to manifest the same intensity in the live performances.
“Our goal has always been to capture the energy of our live shows and exude that in our studio albums,” Ragland said. “And I think our aggressive approach to this album has allowed us to bridge that gap.”
Nelo’s hard work paid off, as their new album debuted at #18 on iTunes’ rock charts. It was important to the band that every aspect of production was another link to their ultimate goal: writing meaningful, heartfelt songs that “take the listener on a journey.”
Ragland said, “I try to write from an observational and peaceful place. I feel a sense of catharsis, and that is just what our song Hometown is about. I write everyday, but I never force myself to write or write uninspired just to crank something out. For me, I have to find myself in that Hometown state of mind, and that’s how I know it’s meaningful.”
The process of the band’s new release began years ago when the band first started performing together. Ragland said everything started with a few songs he wrote in college and he continued to write because it is what keeps everything going.
“I feel like we have hit our stride. Essentially, this album started five years ago when we released our first album,” Ragland said. “Each album has been a work-in-progress, and sort of like a calibrator, it finally clicked.”
The band’s new musical approach and maturity has even altered the playing of their previous albums.
“We have become a real rock n’ roll band, and we are playing the old songs now the way we first intended them to be played,” Ragland said. “We are excited to see our fans enjoy the bolstered energy of our old releases as well as the new album.”
Nelo’s Whiskey and Love Tour begins Thursday, April 3 in Fort Worth at The Aardvark. The band’s spring tour will close with their performance at The Granada Theatre in Dallas on May 16.
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StableDiffusion
The Illusion of Creativity
AI-generated music is often marketed as “artistic” or “educational.” But what does it really teach?
- That style can be replicated without understanding.
- That emotion can be simulated without feeling.
- That effort can be bypassed with a prompt.
For young creators, this sets a dangerous precedent. Why learn to play guitar when an algorithm can do it faster? Why study harmony when AI can generate chord progressions in seconds? The risk isn’t just laziness — it’s the loss of depth, discipline, and the tactile joy of creation.
I have listened to several AI-generated music covers. My initial reaction was one of considerable impressiveness, particularly regarding the reimagining of classic pop hits in diverse genres with novel arrangements. Here is one good example a-ha — Take On Me
However, after engaging with several such Ai generated song covers, a sense of emotional detachment emerged, attributable to the perceived absence of human artistry and genuine sentiment, resulting in a technically flawless yet ultimately soulless auditory experience.
Copyright in Crisis
What does the copyright law say about AI generated music, especially in field of music covers. Who is liable for copyright in this case, AI developers, people who used AI to generate music or people who published it on music platforms?
Recent lawsuits show that the music industry is pushing back hard:
- Universal, Sony, and Warner sued AI music platforms Suno and Udio in 2024 for allegedly training their models on copyrighted songs without permission Ars Technica The Lyon Firm.
- They’re seeking up to $150,000 per infringed song, arguing that the AI outputs resemble famous tracks and voices (e.g., Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson).
- These lawsuits target the developers of the AI tools — but they raise broader questions:The legal gray area is training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use Sites at USC.
But who’s liable?
Role | Legal Risk | Why |
AI Developers | ✅ High | For training on copyrighted material without licenses. |
Users | ⚠️ Moderate | If they intentionally recreate protected works. |
Publishers/Platforms | ✅ High | For distributing infringing content. |
The grey area lies in training data. Courts haven’t yet ruled definitively on whether using copyrighted songs to train AI counts as infringement or fair use. Meanwhile, AI-generated works themselves aren’t eligible for copyright unless a human provides substantial creative input — leaving them in legal limbo.
The Educational Mirage
Some argue that AI music helps people learn genres, production styles, or vocal techniques. But this “education” often lacks context. It’s like learning to paint by watching a printer — technically impressive, but creatively hollow.
True musical education involves:
- Struggle and iteration: Learning through mistakes.
- Emotional connection: Expressing what words can’t.
- Cultural lineage: Understanding the roots of sound.
AI shortcuts bypass all of this. And in doing so, they risk flattening the rich terrain of human creativity into a sterile landscape of algorithmic mimicry.
Why This Fight Matters
This isn’t just about music. It’s about the future of art, storytelling, and human expression. If we allow machines to dominate creative spaces, we risk turning culture into content — optimized, monetized, and devoid of soul.
We must ask: Do we want a world where art is made by machines, or one where machines help humans make better art?
5 Key Takeaways
- AI-generated music blurs the line between innovation and erosion in the creative arts
- AI-generated music raises questions about copyright, culture, education, and artistic expression
- AI-generated music can replicate style without understanding, simulate emotion without feeling, and bypass effort with a prompt
- AI-generated music sets a dangerous precedent for young creators by potentially leading to a loss of depth, discipline, and joy of creation
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