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How Artificial Intelligence Tech Emulated Kurt Cobain to Release a New Nirvana Song

Listen to the new Nirvana AI surrogate track ‘Drowned in the Sun’ and learn how you can visit Kurt Cobain's augmented reality mural in Aberdeen

By Rui AlvesPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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Image by Kayl Mejarito from Pixabay

Kurt Cobain died 27 years ago. Now, in 2021, computer science helped release a new Nirvana song. The iconic frontman of Seattle sound pathfinders, Nirvana, committed suicide on April 5, 1994. Kurt Cobain’s iconoclast career crowned him at the Rock n’Roll Hall of Fame and paved the way to the urban legend known as the “27 Club.”

In April 2021, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) project known as Lost Tapes Of The 27 Club used an advanced programming system, based on Google’s Magenta AI, to write songs in the styles of the musicians that died at the age of 27, such as Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Amy Winehouse. The plan was to raise awareness about the importance of mental health support, namely relating to musicians’ struggles with depression, psychological issues and the support offered to them.

The Toronto-based organization Over the Bridge developed the AI software. Their system analyzed 30 Nirvana songs and thoroughly studied the chord changes, harmonies, guitar riffs, solos, drum patterns, lyrics, and vocals. With this information, the machine created an entirely new song entitled “Drowned in the Sun”.

I’m a die-hard Nirvana fan and Kurt Cobain’s death deeply impacted my teenage years, and it probably shaped my musical career. I admit the track sounds great, thinking how everything we hear is the making of an artificial intelligence musical insight. Only the vocals are human. Eric Hogan, a member of a Nirvana tribute band, gave voice to the lyrics. There’s no AI that could monicker Kurt’s voice and musical prowess. Even the human counterpart admitted he had a hard time giving voice to the AI's music.

You can listen to “Drowned In The Sun” and others songs included in Lost Tapes Of The 27 Club via YouTube.

Aberdeen Honors Nirvana's Legacy

In 2014, Kurt Cobain’s hometown, Aberdeen, unveiled a mural honoring Nirvana’s frontman legacy. When arriving in Aberdeen, WA, we are entering the birthplace of Grunge. Right at the entrance, there’s a welcome sign saying “Come As You Are,” a tribute to the band formed by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.

Welcome sign at the entrance of Aberdeen mentioning Nirvana’s song “Come as You Are.”

Photo by Kaya on Flickr

Local artist, Erik Sandgren, created a mural depicting the band’s importance in Aberdeen’s history by illustrating what inspired Nirvana’s mastermind and its influences on popular culture. The unveiling celebration took place in the city on September 21, 2014, and former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic attended and the event.

Image via Google Maps

Artist Honors Kurt Cobain With an Augmented Reality Mural

On April 5, 2021, 27 years passed since Cobain died in 1994 at age 27. Among the latest tributes on the anniversary of his death, there’s a new Nirvana song created by AI software (you can listen to it here) and a brand-new Kurt Cobain augmented reality mural by artist D.S. Bradford.

Inspired by From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, a live compilation album by Nirvana, released on October 1, 1996, the new art piece can be found “on the muddy banks” of the Wishkah River in Aberdeen, WA, near the Kurt Cobain Under the Bridge memorial.

Anyone can experience the augmented reality experience portal by traveling to the designated coordinates. There, a portal can be accessed by the click of a button. You can learn more about Kurt Cobain’s mural here on the artist's website if you cannot travel to Aberdeen and visit the memorial grounds near Kurt’s home.

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“The individual experience of viewing works of art is personal. This is even more so in public. (...) It’s the same with music. The artists and their songs mean different things to different people and have brought so much to the world. There is beauty in the world that we can’t see until we are made aware and open our eyes. – D.S. Bradford”

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Thanks for reading this article. You can learn more about the recent tributes to Kurt Cobain here. Feel free to come back at any time and pick up another thread from my Vocal book of content by clicking here. Small tips and big hearts are highly appreciated. Till next time, cheers. - Rui

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About the Creator

Rui Alves

Hi, I'm Rui Alves, a teacher, army veteran & digital pathfinder. Author, alchemist of sound & Gen-AI artist.

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