Nashville Songwriters Back AI Co-Writing Tool Built by Better Than Ezra's Kevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin, the lead singer of '90s alternative rock band Better Than Ezra, has launched SoundBreak, an AI music-generating software that lets songwriters control how their work trains the system. Several Nashville songwriters have signed on as "virtual co-writers," including Jaren Johnston of The Cadillac Three.
The move reflects a strategic shift in how some musicians are responding to AI. Rather than resist the technology, Griffin built a platform where songwriters retain input over the process-a contrast to how AI companies have previously trained models on released music without artist consent.
How SoundBreak Works
Users select from a menu of participating songwriters and feed the software prompts requesting specific tones, instruments, or vocal styles. The AI generates songs based on the selected writer's catalog and style preferences.
When Griffin tested SoundBreak with a prompt for a song called "Bright-colored kicks" based on Johnston's writing style, the software produced two southern-rock songs that Johnston approved. "If I was in a writing session with somebody and I came out with that, I'd be like, 'Baby, you gotta hear this!'" Johnston said.
After generation, the virtual co-writer reviews the output and provides feedback, maintaining some control over the final product.
A Response to Industry Power Imbalance
Griffin said his motivation came from watching major labels benefit most from the streaming era while AI companies trained models on existing songs without artist permission. "I can throw up my hands and say, 'Here's another thing that's going to cannibalize my songwriting career,'" Griffin told WPLN. "Or I can say, 'I want to do something that advocates for me as a songwriter, and my peers.'"
The approach addresses a real concern for songwriters. A study found that 97% of people cannot distinguish between music made by AI and music made by humans-a gap that narrows as the technology improves.
The Broader Divide
SoundBreak represents one end of a spectrum. Many songwriters continue to oppose AI in music entirely, while others like Griffin see participation as the more practical path forward.
For writers exploring how AI tools work, AI for Writers resources cover how generative AI functions in creative work. Those interested in the technical foundation behind tools like SoundBreak may find Generative AI and LLM Courses useful for understanding the underlying models.
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