Vitrifuture: A Blind Creator’s Journey in AI Music Creation

Vitrifuture: A Blind Creator’s Journey in AI Music Creation

As part of a regular series spotlighting the unique stories and people behind AI content creation, I had the chance to talk to Tyler Zahnke, better known as Vitrifuture in the AI music world. Tyler has a deep passion for music, which started early in his life, and his dedication to creating music despite being blind since birth is truly inspiring. When I learned how he’s using Suno as a tool to overcome challenges and express his creativity, I knew his story needed to be shared with a broader audience.

In this interview, Tyler opens up about his journey with AI music, the importance of accessibility, and how Suno has empowered him to push his creative limits.

Q&A with Tyler Zahnke (Vitrifuture)

What sparked your initial interest in AI music, and how did you first get involved?

"Hmmm, tough question! I've always enjoyed music created using electronic means; I got a 2003 Yamaha PSR-275 keyboard for Christmas when I was six years old, learning that I could make all kinds of electronic sounds with that keyboard, from harps to violins to steel drums to bagpipes. When I was seven and I learned how to use a computer, my childhood brain over-imagined the power of tools like Google! I thought I could ask Google a question, like, 'Did Elvis Presley ever record a slower version of Aloha Oe, slower than the one he recorded for Blue Hawaii?' and Google would answer, 'No, but the Alfred Apaka version sounds a little bit like Elvis! Maybe that's the one you are thinking of!' Of course once I actually saw Google for myself, I realized it was just using search keywords and spitting out links. Say, maybe my dreams predicted AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini!

So the idea of AI programs that can be prompted have always been in my imagination. I just knew it would take a lot of technological progress to get that human-like communication, let alone actually making pictures, animation, and music—the other things the software products in my dreams could do. Due to this fascination with the idea of software generating content, partially influenced by the popularity of the computer-generated music of the DarwinTunes project that came out in 2009 and got really popular in 2012, I started doing Google searches about different kinds of content generators. I discovered Fake Music Generator in 2015; this was a product that came out in 2013, though the music-generating algorithm within is estimated to have come out in 2008, which was likely not trained on actual audio data but rather on music theory rules. It could generate somewhat classical-sounding pieces, often with piano sounds. It is still online today.

As mentions of AI became more common among large technology companies, I would occasionally see a Facebook post about a voice-generating neural network with realistic voices. But due to how long these programs took to run, I understand why they never got a wide release. By 2020, AI was far enough along that I figured it was time to research music generators again, which is how I discovered Boomy, the AI app that took the Internet by storm in 2019. Somehow I missed it until 2020. That's when I realized that music production was becoming more accessible for everyone. This future felt like a vitriform (glass-like) road where everyone could express themselves through music, which is why I chose the name Vitrifuture."

Can you describe your experience with Suno, especially as a blind creator? What makes it accessible for you?

"I had heard about the Suno company in 2023 and how they had released code for an AI music model, but I wasn’t technical enough to use it. I waited for them to release a web platform that would be accessible to the general public. It wasn’t until April 2024 that I got an account and started creating. I found that Suno was much more accessible than other platforms. The prompt-based interface meant I could type what I wanted instead of navigating a visually complex interface. This made the process much easier as a blind user."

What motivates your creativity as a music creator, and how do you approach your work with AI tools?

"I’ve been writing songs and composing for over 20 years, so inspiration comes from a lot of places—life, books, movies, TV shows, even websites. I see AI tools like Suno as a way to bring those ideas to life. AI music is not replacing musicians; it’s adding a new layer of creative possibilities. The human element in creating prompts and shaping the AI’s output is essential."

What challenges have you faced in AI music creation, and how has Suno helped you overcome them?

"Many AI music tools rely heavily on visual interfaces, which makes them difficult to use for someone like me. Boomy started off simple but became more visual over time. Suno, however, uses a prompt-based system that’s much more accessible. While it’s not perfect, it’s a big improvement over other tools."

You mentioned your theme song 'We Are Vitrifuture'—what inspired that song, and why is it important to you?

"This song started as a Suno experiment where I imagined Vitrifuture as a band of robots playing since 2020, capable of performing any genre. When I was creating my fifth Vitrifuture album in early May, I decided the album should start with a theme song. I like promoting it because it’s a good introduction, and very few AI songs acknowledge that they are AI songs, so I thought, why not?"

What do you see for the future of AI music creation, and where would you like to go with your work?

"It’s hard to say exactly what’s next for AI music, but I’m excited to see where it goes. I think AI will become more integrated into things like music videos and live performances. I’ve already created a 35-minute AI fantasy film, and I hope to explore AI music videos next. As AI technology improves, it opens new doors for what’s possible in music creation."

Where to Find Vitrifuture:

Share Your Story

Tyler’s story is just one example of how AI tools are empowering creators in new and unexpected ways. If you have an inspiring story about your journey with AI content creation, I’d love to hear from you. Share your story in the comments below or send me an email at info@jackrighteous.com with the subject “Share My Story.” Let's continue highlighting the diverse voices behind AI-powered creativity.

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