Music - Helge Schneider on AI, music and annoying grammar
The artist and musician Helge Schneider definitely doesn't want to be represented by an artificial intelligence. "I think it's spooky. I think it's funny. But it would be even worse to send avatars on stage like Abba," said the musician and composer in Munich, alluding to the Swedish pop band, who perform virtually on stage in their concert show "Abba Voyage". Schneider promised: "At his concerts, everything remains live and real, his band consists exclusively of live people.
Schneider shows no signs of fatigue: his album "Live from Graz" was recently released and his tour "Katzenkloen auf Rädern" starts in Zurich. With over 70 appearances, it is "a world tour through Germany, Austria and Switzerland", said the 68-year-old. Schneider composed the song "Katzenklo" in 1993, when people could not yet imagine that it would be possible to see each other on the telephone in the future. Now his audiences are also using cell phones at concerts. "It bothers me, but as soon as I bring it up or something, it bothers me even more," he said.
His new crime novel "Stepptanz" was published in October. In Munich, the author joked about grammatical rules. Sometimes it's even better to write the way you speak, he said. "I'm beginning to not care what my grammar is - the main thing is that you understand it," said Schneider.
The 68-year-old left it open as to whether he will write another book. He prefers to devote himself to music. "Writing is not as imaginary as playing the piano - music is a real art, it's so heavenly. And writing is more on earth," says Schneider.
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- Despite his success in literature, Helge Schneider remains deeply connected to his musical roots, often incorporating humorous grammatical errors into his spoken word performances, much to the amusement of his audience in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
- In his latest album "Live from Graz," Helge Schneider showcases his musical prowess, while his upcoming tour "Katzenkloen auf Rädern" promises a live experience, featuring only human band members, in contrast to the virtual performances of artists like Abba and their AI-assisted show "Abba Voyage."
- While Helge Schneider's new crime novel "Stepptanz" sold well, the artist has expressed a preference for music, jokingly stating that writing is more earthbound, and music is a heavenly art form, like his popular song "Katzenklo," which he composed back in 1993, before video calls became the norm.
- The German-born musician and author's international appeal is evident in his performances, as his audiences in Zurich, Austria, and beyond embrace his distinctive style, which combines humor, music, and an irreverent approach to grammar, akin to the playful use of language in Helge Schneider Ki: Litter Box on Wheels.
- Despite the rising use of technology in modern music, from digital instruments to AI-assisted music composition, Helge Schneider remains firmly committed to the live, human element of his musical performances, drawing inspiration from his hometown of Munich, Bavaria, and the rich musical traditions of Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
