London Inc. September 2024 - 16

Upfront TechAlliance
HARMONIZING THE FUTURE
A generative AI platform for musicians, songwriters and producers
embraces a transformative era for the music industry
IN AN ERA of unprecedented growth for the global
music industry, the music creation landscape is rapidly
evolving. Ranked as the eighth largest global music market
in a 2024 report from the International Federation of the
Phonographic Industry, Canada's market grew by over 12
per cent last year, reaching (US)$659.6 million in music
sales in 2023.
With recorded music revenues increasing
across almost all formats, it's not surprising to
learn that the generative AI music market is
experiencing significant growth, driven by
advancements in technology and the proliferation
of digital platforms. We've seen
how anyone can use tools like ChatGPT or
Midjourney to express ideas with words or
pictures, and the way we create and listen to
music is being turned on its head, too.
The demand for user-friendly music creation
platforms that allow musicians,
where they left off and continue to write the music, all in
the same style. Alternatively, for creators who have an idea
in mind, but struggle to communicate their ideas through
a musical instrument, Staccato helps them share thoughts
through a text-to-music feature.
As a musician himself, Lupker found the initial inspiration
for Staccato while pursuing his PhD at the Don
Wright Faculty of Music at Western University.
With a knack for tech and a passion for music,
as the generative AI market blossomed he
recognized its potential to revolutionize the
music creation process.
" When I first saw GPT-2 [predecessor to
ChatGPT's AI model], I was excited about its
Jeff Lupker
songwriters,
producers and creators to better craft music is what led
founders Jeff Lupker and Jason Kowalczyk to launch their
platform, Staccato (www.staccato.ai).
Staccato is an AI-powered music and lyrics creation platform
that helps spark inspiration for artists and creators
worldwide. Guiding users to generate their own musical
building blocks, Staccato makes it easier for creators to
bring their ideas to life. For example, artists can record a
musical passage on a keyboard, and Staccato will pick up
16|londonincmagazine.ca|SEPTEMBER 2024
potential, " recalls Lupker. " I started looking
at ways to rearchitect GPT-2 to make it work
for music. "
Determined to pursue the concept full-time,
Lupker quickly realized he needed help on the financial
and operational side of the business. That is when he called
on his brother-in-law and long-time friend Jason Kowalczyk
to join the Staccato team. With an HBA in accounting and
finance from the Ivey Business School, Kowalczyk had built
a strong career as a forensic accountant until he decided to
take the leap into entrepreneurship.
" Over just a few months, my role [at Staccato] expanded
as I became more enthralled by everything that we were
doing, " shares Kowalczyk. " In November [2023], I decided
http://www.staccato.ai
London Inc. September 2024

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