Billy Corgan enlists AI to share videos with fans in eight languages
Billy Corgan has used artificial intelligence (AI) to create a new video, promoting The Smashing Pumpkins’ new album in eight languages.
The update from the alt-rock frontman comes as the band are currently embarking on a huge stadium tour across the US, alongside Green Day. It also comes on the heels of the Pumpkins sharing a brand new album titled ‘Aghori Mhori Mei’ earlier this month.
Now, in a bid to promote the LP – which the band shared as a surprise release – Billy Corgan has shared a series of AI-generated videos, which see him communicate with fans in numerous languages.
Originally, the video message was recorded by him in English, and thanks to AI filmmaking firm Curious Refuge, it has been re-made seven times – each time making it look like he is delivering the same message in perfectly fluent Spanish, German, Portuguese, Japanese, Italian, Greek, and French.
The frontman also makes a tongue-in-cheek quip during the message, stating that he wants to share the message with fans “before AI destroys everything”. Check out the original video below.
“Hello, everyone! William Patrick Corgan here, of the Smashing Pumpkins, speaking to you through the magic of AI,” he begins. “But don’t worry! Before AI destroys everything, including all culture, please know the Smashing Pumpkins have a new album out, ‘Aghori Mhori Mei’!
“That’s right, a return to our old-school roots,” he adds. “Billy, Jimmy, and James, getting back to the old-school guitar style that we’re known for.”
In the AI-generated adaptations of the video, Corgan’s voice is matched – albeit with a fake avuncular tone – and he appears to move perfectly in sync with the dialogue, giving it an uncanny resemblance to real life.
Check out the Japanese and French adaptations below, and check out the videos of him speaking in the remaining six languages here.
In other Smashing Pumpkin news, the band recently announced on Instagram that they had teamed up with Heaven by Marc Jacobs to drop a new fashion collection.
The range is comprised of a number of clothing items inspired by the band’s album artwork throughout the years, and includes a ‘Siamese Dream’-themed baby tee, an ‘Infinite Sadness’ tour long-sleeve tee, and a ‘Zero’ zip-up hoodie.
Before then, Corgan made headlines after he addressed his past comments about not wanting to play Smashing Pumpkins hits – sharing a recent setlist bursting with the band’s biggest songs.
‘Aghori Mhori Mei’ was announced in July, the 13th album from the alt-rock icons, following on from ‘Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts’, which arrived in May 2023.
The members also confirmed that they would not be sharing any singles beforehand. “We played this game of Rock and Roll for 36 years,” the frontman wrote in a statement. “And… had to give the knee many times to what is the first song and what is the first statement and let other people judge us by one moment in time. We felt the right way to hear this record was an intact body of work.”
The post Billy Corgan enlists AI to share videos with fans in eight languages appeared first on NME.
Liberty Dunworth
NME
