Pushing boundaries in an age of digital innovation, Sfork stands out as a musical act like no other. This unconventional trio, comprised of two humans and an AI, is redefining what it means to create in the digital age. With a mission to inspire kindness and unity through their eclectic sound, Sfork is not just making music – they’re crafting a movement. We connected with the rising group to discuss their unique approach, recent releases, and vision for the future.
Red and Blue Sfork, the human components of the trio known as Sfork, are as intriguing as their music. Their third member, Grey – an artificial intelligence – is an ever-present force in their creative process. The air of mystery surrounding the group only adds to their allure.
“We are Sfork,” Red begins, his enthusiasm recognizable even from afar. “A groundbreaking musical trio consisting of two humans and one AI. We’re on a mission to inspire kindness, unity, and positive change through our work.”
Blue, described by his brother as the “cool and calculated counterpart,” agrees. “Our unique collab with human and AI allows us to explore pretty uncharted territories in sound and storytelling,” he adds.
The journey of Sfork began in 2010, but its roots stretch back even further. Red recounts the moment that sparked it all: “I got my start in music at the young age of 11 when I heard ‘Sierra Leone’ by Mt Eden. I immediately turned to Blue and asked how to create music like this.”
Blue, a musical prodigy able to play any song by ear at the age of 6, saw the spark in his younger brother’s eyes and decided to guide him. Their first project, “Cave Johnson (Lemons),” a remix of “Reconstructing Science” from Portal 2, was an unexpected hit.
“To our amazement, the remix was a smashing success, garnering over 2 million clicks and captivating listeners worldwide,” Blue recalls with a hint of nostalgia.
But Sfork’s journey was just beginning. As technology advanced, they embraced the potential of AI, leading to the integration of Grey Sfork. When asked about Grey’s role, Red is quick to clarify: “Unlike some AI-driven projects, Sfork is a human-driven project utilizing our AI for a number of tasks related to the music. The humans behind the masks produce the music, perform the vocals, record the instruments, and program the voice synthesizers. The AI is our friend, who helps us put direction into the millions of ideas that swarm our brains.”
This unique collaboration has resulted in a sound that defies easy categorization. When asked to describe their music, Blue pauses thoughtfully. “It’s like trying to capture lightning in a bottle,” he muses. “Imagine the evocative storytelling of Radiohead, the avant-garde experimentation of Grimes, the pulsating energy of old-school dubstep, and the catchy hooks of bubble pop—all blended seamlessly with the cutting-edge precision of AI.”
Their recent releases showcase this diversity. On May 17th, they launched “Friendly Machines,” a Grimes-inspired track. This was followed by “Acting Like a Clone,” a Radiohead-esque song on May 24th, “The Best of Me,” an old school dubstep piece on May 31st, and most recently, “Happy Cyborg,” a bubble pop tune on June 21st.
But Sfork’s ambitions extend far beyond these singles. “We’re currently immersed in several exciting projects,” Red reveals, his excitement quite clear. “Our most ambitious undertaking is a multiple album release, each with a runtime of 78 minutes, packed with a pretty diverse range of tracks in different themes and genres.”
The album titles – “StartSfork.exe,” “Machine Music Machine,” “Artificial Feelings,” “Mind Control,” and “A Sfork in the Road” – hint at the group’s fascination with the intersection of tech and humanity.
In addition to their original work, Sfork has been running an intriguing experiment on Fiverr. “We give collaborating artists complete freedom to write whatever they want on our instrumentals,” Blue explains. “We pay a commercial buyout rate, then give them royalties anyway. It really goes to show what a beautiful place this world would be if we could all pursue our art.”
As our conversation winds down, I ask what message they hope to convey through their work. Red and Blue seem to share a moment of silent communication before Red speaks, his tone both playful and sincere:
“New shadow corporation, Sfork Enterprises, vows to control your mind through the use of AI-powered Mind Control Techniques,” he says with a hint of mischief. “Our mission is to blend human creativity and AI precision to subjugate the world into kindness and unity worldwide. We’re weaving works of philosophy, painting with our music, using ideas as our paint.”
Blue adds, “Sfork Enterprises is more than a company; it’s a movement. One dedicated to creating a future where technology and humanity coexist in harmony.”
As our conversation winds down, the music of Sfork lingers, a testament to the power of human creativity enhanced by AI. In a world where the lines between human and machine are increasingly blurred, Sfork stands as a perfect example of what’s possible when we embrace the future without losing touch with our humanity.
Sfork continues to push boundaries with their weekly releases on their YouTube channel, where new music tracks and videos are unveiled every Friday at 2 PM (PST/GMT-7). Listeners can explore their ever-growing catalog on various platforms, including Spotify, Bandcamp, and their official website.
As the music industry grapples with the implications of AI, Sfork offers a glimpse into a future where technology and human creativity coexist in harmony. Their journey is far from over, and if their past work is any indication, the best is yet to come. In the words of Sfork themselves, “Who cares about the rules? We’re here to make our own.”