Local Band Uses AI to Write Music and Discuss Elections

Three local designers have released a music album created with the help of artificial intelligence. The group, called The Layoffs, states they are the first band to use ChatGPT to advance songwriting and release a full album in less than 50 days. They are currently discussing how these new tools might influence the upcoming US midterm elections.

The band members are David Robinson, Jeremy LaCroix, and Josh Klenert. Robinson has led design roles at Google, Yahoo, and Flexport. LaCroix has a background in punk music, magazines, and Silicon Valley. Klenert has spent years leading design for major media brands and digital platforms. They describe the band as a way to experiment with where creativity and AI meet.

Josh Klenert explained the group's purpose in a statement. He said, "The Layoffs have become our way to experiment with where creativity and AI collide." The band aims to open up larger conversations about technology and the role of new tools in the creative process. They view their work as a practical example of how AI functions in everyday tasks.

The group took time from their busy professional schedules to talk about the midterms. They believe the elections will be historical regardless of which party wins. They point to the large amounts of funding flowing into campaigns as a key factor. They also note the heavy use of AI in these political efforts.

The band members argue that AI has become an everyday topic in media and conversation. Apps like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok are now common in daily use. They say these tools help people handle various tasks. The band contends that their music highlights the impact of this technology on how people create and communicate.

The Layoffs have shared their conversation with a local news outlet via YouTube. The discussion covers the influence of AI on the upcoming elections and the time following them. The group encourages listeners to visit their website to hear their music and watch their videos. They recently created an image for the story using AI tools.