Briston Maroney has released the official music video for “Harvard”, directed by longtime collaborator Joey Brodnax. Utilizing cutting-edge AI technologies, the video “stars” Maroney, despite the fact he was not physically present during the creation of the video, as he was on tour at the time. Watch it now below.
Of the unconventional process, Brodnax shares, “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, but in a new, impossible setting. 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. The way we see it, it’s just a new tool. New to all of us. We are all learning how to conform with it. Briston was on tour for months. This tool allowed us to remotely create. This sort of thing was impossible six months ago. And it’s only getting crazier.”
Fans were able to enjoy “Harvard” live at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville earlier this month, the site of Maroney’s two-night, sold-out Paradise Fest. The event marked a hometown milestone for the young musician who curated the lineup – sharing the stage with the likes of Indigo DeSouza, The Greeting Committee, Sunflower Bean, Annie DiRusso, Cece Coakley, and Canvasback labelmates MICHELLE – donated a portion of proceeds to local nonprofits The Nashville Food Project and Oasis Center, and closed out each night with a highly-anticipated headline set.
Maroney recently wrapped his headline ‘All Aboard’ North American fall tour, which included stops in cities including Toronto, Atlanta, and Charleston, as well as appearances at Delaware’s Firefly Festival and Southern California’s Ohana Music Festival. Over the summer, he played standout sets to crowds at Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, shortly after serving as support on select dates of 2022 tours for both Jack White and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.