Briston Maroney Releases New AI Music Video for “Harvard,” Despite Being on Tour

Briston Maroney Releases New AI Music Video for “Harvard,” Despite Being on Tour

Briston Maroney just released the new music video for his song, “Harvard” on Nov. 17 and the comments say it all. What makes the video so groundbreaking, is that it was made entirely with AI software – the Nashville-based singer-songwriter was on tour and therefore unable to film a music video in-person. The AI is apparent in each scene, as the music video shoots through a series of abstract pieces of art and pictures while there’s clearly a face embedded into the imagery of each one. While the “art” mostly continues to sing the lyrics of “Harvard,” it seems Briston himself makes an appearance in some parts with a hand covering his eyes.

Though Briston wasn’t able to be present for the “Harvard” music video, his longtime visual collaborator and director of the video, Joey Brodnax, was able to successfully render the almost three-minute song into a work of art. So how did he do it? Brodnax reveals the process, explaining:

“Using AI, I rendered photorealistic characters and settings that aligned with the song. I recorded Briston’s face performing the song. Then using 52 facial tracking points, I moved that mapping data into my renders – sometimes reorienting Briston’s performance back onto his body… I also used this facial tracking data to bring the faces of many new characters to life. The resulting video is one that sits on the current edge of AI tech and generative art. Many people currently fear/avoid AI in the art world. Some see it as an antithesis to authenticity.”

Joey Brodnax

At the young age of 24, the Knoxville, Tennessee artist has already released four EP’s and continues to show up for his fans – just ending his “Paradise” tour earlier this month. Check out more of Briston Maroney’s music on Spotify below, or keep up with Briston here!