This week I’ve been mostly running an experiment and I am really quite amazed by the early results.
I made an AI “band” called Geese to write sardonic, Yacht-Rock-leaning songs with a Half Man Half Biscuit type vibe.
Because these are my influences and I think Yacht Rock is a genre that needs some humour!
I’m using Suno.ai 4.5 to get broadcast-quality demos in minutes, so I can test ideas while still being a full-time dad with a day job an being 52 and really tired most days.
Why this matters to me - I’ve often find myself splitting my energy between music, comedy, and making ends meet.
Geese and Suno are my sandbox. I can chase a hook, try the funny bit out loud, and still tell the truth about where I’m at with faith and recovery. No overthinking. Just ship the idea and move.
How I use AI without losing the soul:
I start with a concept and tone: weary, witty, slightly petty, but honest.
I write tight lyrics first. If a line doesn’t pop, it’s cut...
Suno gives me an instant demo so I hear the groove and chorus right away…
Then I tweak lyrics, arrangement, and feel until it sounds like me.
Goal: songs that bang musically and amuse lyrically, but still carry a little truth that costs me something to say.
In this case it cost me some comfort..I feel very vulnerable sharing this as it reveals a lot about my own struggles with lust…also it doesn’t offer a solution, there is no salvation in this song just being in the discomfort and mental process of being tempted. I felt if I added in the solution of praying to Christ to have my lust removed it would transform the songs meaning and lose the potential humour.
Featured track: Tempted by the Cleaner
This one feels like the clearest hit so far, the one that most closely expresses my vision for mixing quality tuneage and humourus, insightful lyrics.
It’s playful on the surface, but underneath it’s about temptation, recovery, and trying not to make a god out of your impulses. I’m a Christian. I stumble. I get back up.I think this song nods to that battle without heavily preaching. It grooves. It smiles. It confesses.
▶ Listen: Tempted by the Cleaner
Other Geese demos in the wild..
Pick your favourite line and hit reply. I’m collecting the tightest one-liners for future live shows.
Two ways to think about AI in music
Main track (what most people do): Use AI to speed up, publish more, test faster. This is what I’m doing with Geese - volume creates clarity and because they are almost instatantly created I can test out many songs and ideas very quickly.
Opposite lens: Go slower. Write one song on an acoustic until it hurts a little. No AI, no shortcuts. Let the silence edit you. I’m keeping space for that too, there’s noting better than sitting down and noodling on a guitar and a fully formed song emerges from that silent, creative space….however getting the time to do that is a rarity these days
Both can be holy if your heart’s right and you allow the music and the muse to come through you.
Other bits and bobs…
Oasis are back and proving beyond doubt that they are without doubt the greatest Rock n Roll band in the world right now. Have you seen the scenes of 60 thousand people all pogoing as one? quite remarkable and even more lively than their previous big shows in the 90’s and 2000’s
However, the Oasis autotune rabbit hole is one I hadn’t planned on going down!
This is a very interesting and revealing breakdown of the recent Oasis shows and where tuning shows up. Worth a look if you’re into live-vocal nerdery. Watch here
UK musicians: A few years ago I got the opportunity to appear on The Jimmy Lloyd Songwriters Showcase which was filmed on Broadway, New York City and aired on NBC. I got support towards the cost of the accommodation from the PRS Foundation.
If you’re based in the UK and looking of funding and support (of course you are, you’re a musician!) - You can find funding support here for all kinds of projects
What’s next for Geese…
Finish vocals for two tracks and publish a 4-song mini-EP.
Test one live bit between songs that ties the humour to the heart.
Share stems with a couple of players for tasteful overdubs.
If you want a behind-the-scenes look at how I structure lyrics the HMHB way -setup, assumption, shattered assumption, tag - reply “LYRICS” and I’ll send a one-pager.
Grace and peace, Spence
P.S. If you only have time for one track this week, make it Tempted by the Cleaner
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Final thoughts…
What’s your challenge as a musician trying to grow your audience?
Hit reply and let me know - I’d love to help you tackle it!
Remember:
Rejection is correction. Ridicule is fuel. Keep thriving.
Until next time,
Spence C