Monthly Newsletter Digest
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
A I (…CAN’T EVEN)
I have never espoused deterministic thinking, that some particular tomorrow already exists and is simply waiting for us to arrive. I live as if the specifics of any generalized “future” might be realized by the sum of my experiences, investments, and moral choices. The current techno-determinism behind artificial intelligence (AI) represents a quasi-existential challenge to me. A recent op-ed in the New York Times posited that the entity that “wins” AI will, in essence, “win capitalism.” The truth of this sentiment resonated deeply, and it was then that I knew that our headlong rush toward AI would not likely be stopped, or even slowed: the potential reward for those with the capital and power to invest in the technology is too great.
This became less hypothetical for me when The Atlantic magazine recently released a searchable database of millions of songs potentially used to train AI’s large language models (LLMs). I was a bit taken aback to discover that tech companies had scraped up 153 of my songs—nearly all of my pre-Spring Greenrecorded output—to potentially train their LLMs. The legality and fairness of this theft is probably negated by the ambiguous fine print of whatever user agreements I had to agree to to partake in the previous technological mass migration of music to YouTube and various streaming services. Still, as an artist, AI elicits a lot of the same reactions in me as social media—I feel exploited, undermined, scammed, and generally abused by a system which neither represents nor supports my values, but from which I cannot reasonably opt out.
Perhaps AI services like SUNO will help people make music that they and others find compelling, but it will be missing a central component—true lived experience. Just as corporations like PepsiCo have developed snacks and junk foods that prove irresistible to our palettes, companies like SUNO may well scrape all of our data only to fuel a torrent of songs that may hit all the pleasure centers but lack any real depth. Some people will lament and resist such forces but, due to increasing economic disparity and insecurity, I wonder if many more will not have the privilege of doing so.
I’m not worried that AI is going to replace my work, because the work entails writing my soul into songs, then standing on a stage by myself or with a friend or two, and singing with my full heart directly to other humans. But for my work to continue as my job, I have to be fairly compensated for the degree of my expertise and investment in my craft. This basic economic fact is the weakest link in the chain. If we move toward a future where my own humble and human contributions are further diluted, where algorithms exert even more influence over the process of an artist finding his audience and asking for their support, then the future is, indeed, grim.
And yet, this grim prophecy is not yet foretold. The more care and intention we put into both the creation and consumption of art, the less storm clouds on the horizon scare me. But it’s not enough for me to live and create a certain way, a brighter future also requires a little something of you as well. The ultimate effect is that we need each other, now more than ever. I’m ok with that, and a big part of me hopes and has to believe that you are too.
BUTTERFLY UPDATE
I can’t resist providing a brief update on the monarch butterfly caterpillars I tended this summer. Of a dozen eggs, I was able to rear one to the adult butterfly stage. It was a wondrous, miraculous process, and with any luck my little butterfly is on its way back to Mexico, a place only its distant relatives could know.
GOT GROTON TICKETS YET?
I am beyond excited for this very special “Mark Erelli & Friends” show at Groton Hill Music Center this fall. Two of my dearest musical friends Lori McKenna and Amy Helm will join me and my band for a joyful, collaborative evening. There are less than 100 tickets left, so don’t sleep on this. Give yourself something to look forward to in November!
GET YOUR “MARK ERELLI & FRIENDS” TIX NOW!
SHOWS
Sun Sept 20 - North Shore Point House Concerts, Norfolk VA - 7 pm
It’s been awhile for me in this part of the world. Last time I was here was with Aoife O’Donovan, the week of the release of my For A Song album…10 years ago?!? We have lots to catch up on, and the flexibility of a solo, acoustic set will allow me plenty of time and opportunity to do just that. Come on our for an intimate, honest evening of stories and songs!
Sat Sept 26 - Daily Brew Coffeehouse & Lounge, Falmouth MA - 7 pm
The last time I played in Falmouth I was a graduate student in the late 1900s, doing my field work in the forests surrounding a nearby military base by day, and playing the open mic at a local Irish pub by night. A lot of has happened since the last century, so let’s catch up!
ON THE HORIZON
Thu Oct 1 - Bates College, Lewiston ME - 8 pm
California Co-Bill Tour with Maya De Vitry
Sun Oct 4 - McCabe’s, Santa Monica CA - 8 pm
Tue Oct 6 - Yodeltone @ C5 Studios Community Arts Center, Bishop CA - 7 pm
Thu Oct 8 - Lille Aeske Arthouse, Boulder Creek CA - 8 pm
Fri Oct 9 - Hillside Club, Berkeley CA - 7:30 pm
Sat Oct 10 - House Concert, Sacramento CA area (reply to this email for details on attending!)
Fri Oct 16 - Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton MA - 7 pm
Sat Oct 17 - Lamp Club Light Shop, Burlington VT - 6 pm (tix on sale soon!)
MP3 of the MONTH
This month, I have a wonderful version of a nearly 20 year-old song that finally made it onto a record. Here’s a live version of Spring Green’s “While You Were Sleeping” from my very first full band album release show on Cape Cod this past March. It’s available for the month of September at my Bandcamp page. Enjoy!
NOTE: Some of you alerted me to some troubles with downloading the monthly MP3, and I think the best way to move forward is to release each MP3 of the MONTH as its own single track album. If you listen for free, each track will disappear at the month’s end. If you pay-what-you-want and download the track to your computer, you can listen in perpetuity.
SIDEMAN SECTION
Nothing on the books, but you never can tell where I’ll show up next!
A WORD ABOUT PATREON - JOIN OUR PATREON COMMUNITY!
I love streaming music, and stream much of the music I listen to. But streaming does not translate into support, if we define “support” as “generating enough income to keep the lights on and fund the creation of more new music.” This is not your fault, we are all victims of tech companies’ unsustainable (except for them) model.
The best way to sustainably support my creative output is by getting a subscription to my Patreon. As you're thinking about what you want to support in the coming year, I'd be honored if you made my music one of those things. For as little as $5/month ($60/year), you can help me do things like release new songs, make new albums, and tour consistently. In return, you get early access to all new music and much more. Thank you for your support!
peace,
mark
Watch Mark’s performance from the 2019 Americanafest at the Ryman Auditorium!
You can check out a special episode of Austin City Limits featuring highlights from this year's Americanafest (like yours truly performing with Lori McKenna, Josh Ritter, J.S. Ondara & Shawn Colvin) on PBS starting this Saturday at 10 pm CT! Check out this teaser video & go to http://acltv.com/watch/tv-schedule/ & click on "check your local PBS listings" to find out exactly when it will air in your market.
