OI Music/HI Music: Music created by Organic-Human Intelligence; The Antithesis of AI Music. A Definition by Buck Curran

OI Music and it's subdivision HI Music is music created by Organic-Animal Intelligence (OI) and/or Human Intelligence (HI). The terms were specifically created to describe and refer to music produced by animals: humans, birds, whales, insects, etc. OI and HI Music includes all musical sounds generated by humans (live or recorded) using handmade or factory made instruments: guitars, banjos, violins, flutes, trumpets, saxaphone, bones, sticks, drums, etc; or musical sound generated by body parts: singing, hand clapping, foot stomping, etc - including musical sounds generated by the body parts of animals (mammals and insects): monkeys, birds, whales, dolphins, elephants, crickets, cicadas, bees, etc. The terms OI Music and HI Music were coined by American musician, artist, writer Buck Curran on 3 December 2025 at 07:57 to differentiate between music made by Human Intelligence or Animal Intelligence and music generated by Artifical Intelligence (AI) or humans using AI to make music. OI and HI Music is the antithesis of AI Music and distinguishs all music produced, composed/written, performed, transcribed, and recorded by Human or Animal Intelligence (Organic Intelligence) from music generated by Articifical Intelligence (AI). Suno is a leading example of a private company using their online platform (Suno.com) to create tools for consumers and artists enabling the proliferation of Generative AI Music. Suno has been accused of stealing recordings and copyrighted music to train their AI model and was taken to court by Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Group in June 2024 over copyright infringement. Other prominent AI companies include OpenAI and Udio. In 2025 the German rights organisation GEMA won a Legal case against OpenAI, which was found guilty of unlawful use of copyright-protected lyrics. A regional court in Munich, Germany found that the US tech firm had illegally reproduced protected lyrics from German songwriters without license or payment. The ruling confirms that OpenAI used GEMA’s repertoire without permission. Profound Examples of OI or HI Music include: J.S. Bach, Amadeus Mozart, Beethoven, Claude Debussy, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, Blind Willie Johnson (the 1927 recording of his song 'Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground' was included on the Golden Record (a collection of music, songs, and images meant to show the diversity of Life on Earth) and placed aboard the NASA probes Voyager 1 and 2 and sent into space into 1977), Elizabeth Cotten, Hank Williams, Fred Cockerham, Camarón de la Isla, Paco Delucia, Django Reinhardt, Ali Farka Touré, Toumani Diabaté, Yma Sumac, Mercedes Sosa, Munir Bashir, Selda Bağcan, Jimi Hendrix, Robbie Basho, John Fahey, etc. Contemporary examples of AI Music include The Velvet Sundown, Breaking Rust, Axania Monet. Youtuber and musical expert Rick Beato has produced many videos related to analyzing and criticizing AI Music. The primary purpose of this article with titles and definition of OI and HI Music is to celebrate and defend human artistry (composers and musicians) and to combat (criticize and hold accountable) AI Tech Companies and the proliferation of AI Music which compromises and endangers the livelihoods of performing and recording artists, musicians, composers, sound engineers, mixing and mastering engineers, music promoters and managers, instrument manufacturers, etc. - Buck Curran, 3 December 2025

Buck Curran 'Far Driven Sun' (Obsolete Recordings, Echodelick Records, and ESP-Disk') New album for 2025

My new album 'Far Driven Sun' (my 9th Solo Album) is out now on all streaming platforms and CD available in the US through ESP-Disk' and Obslete Recordings Bandcamp in Europe. The Vinyl edition will be available in October through Echodelick Records. Album Overview: Far Driven Sun, Buck Curran's 9th solo album finds an elemental, full form return to his musical roots; a deep love for the ambient and resonant nature of the acoustic steel-string guitar in alternate tunings. In company and reunited (after an 18 year separation) with a rare 'Butterfly' Model 1 acoustic guitar made by Stefan Sobell in Northumberland, England in 1990 (previously used to record the first two albums made by his duo Arborea), Curran creates idiosyncratic and ethereal soundscapes through the use of its sonorous fundamental voice, incredible sustain, shimmering overtones and harmonics...and the additional use of a brass slide and EBow. The compositions and improvisations that are presented in this album are intricate and subtly powerful throughout...yet plaintive and mystical sounding. The notes contained within Far Driven Sun are further defined with plentiful space and tonal colours. And there is the addition of harmonic flowing bass lines on ‘Unicorn Song’ (a track that was named by Buck’s daughter Lucia) and 'ILiad (Slight Return)’ by Nataly Kozlova and the dynamic drumming of Francesco Di Lenge on ‘ILiad (Slight Return)’. Deserto Parallax is a fine example of Buck using the acoustic guitar to create psychedelic landscapes and ethereal atmospheres.

'Deep in the Lovin' Arms of My Babe' - New Video by Buck Curran

New video for Buck Curran's 'Deep in the Lovin' Arms of My Babe' from his latest solo album 'One Evening and Other Folk Songs'

Acoustic Guitar Magazine - Buck Curran 'Black is the Colour of my True Love's Hair'

Online feature article for Buck Curran's arrangement of 'Black is the Colour of my True Love's Hair' available now at Acoustic Guitar Magazine The article is from the forthcoming January/February 2025 issue. There's also a video performance of Buck's arrangement at Acoustic Guitar's Youtube Channel

KLOF Magazine 'Best Albums of 2024'

Deep Thanks to KLOF Magazine (Folk Radio UK) for including Buck Curran's new album 'One Evening and Other Folk Songs' in their list of 'Best Albums of 2024'

Aquarium Drunkard 'Year in Review 2024'

Thanks so much to Aquarium Drunkard for including Buck Curran's new album 'One Evening and Other Folk Songs' (ESP-Disk'/Obsolete Recordings) in their 'Year in Review'for 2024.

Buck Curran reunited with his 1990 Sobell Butterfly

I was recently reunited with the gorgeous 1990 Stefan Sobell Butterfly that I used to record Arborea's first two albums: 'Wayfaring Summer'(2006) and Arborea S/T (2008). I parted ways with the this guitar in 2006 but always hoped to have it back one day. This guitar was also used on one of my favorite albums - Martin Simpson's album 'When I Was On Horseback'. Here are two photos...one taken by David James Logan in April 2024 in Bergamo, Italy and the other photo was taken be Shanti Deschaine in 2006 in Sumner, Maine.

Robbie Basho's 12 String in the Fretboard Journal (issue no. 53)

Buck wrote an article about Robbie Basho's 12 string for the new issue of the Fretboard Journal (issue no. 53)

Uncut Magazine 'January 2024': Adele H 'Impermanence' Album Review

Adele H 'Impermanence'(Ramble Records/Obsolete Recordings) reviewed by Peter Watts in the January 2024 issue of Uncut Magazine. 'Impermanence' was produced and recorded by Buck Curran.

Aquarium Drunkard 'Year in Review 2023': Buck Curran 'The Long Distance'

Aquarium Drunkard included Buck Curran's 'The Long Distance'(his first works for Analog Synthesizer among there favorite albums of 2023. 'The Long Distance' will be released on CD and Cassette Tape in February 2024 via Eiderdown Records.

Folk Radio UK 'Best Albums of 2023': Solstice - A Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans

Folk Radio UK included 'Solstice: A Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans' among their Best Albums of 2023.

Petal Motel 'Best Albums of 2023': Adele H 'Impermanence'

Petal Motel lists Adele H 'Impermanence' among their best albums of 2023.

Buck Curran - 'River Unto Sea' (Live)

New Live Video of Buck Curran performing 'River Unto Sea' - a guitar instrumental inspired by Ireland and Maine from the album 'Immortal Light' and 'Morning Haikus, Afternoon Ragas'. The video was filmed in Bergamo, Italy by David James Logan (who also plays bass) with camera assitance by Adele Pappalardo.

Robbie Basho's 12 String - Acoustic Guitar Magazine Nov-Dec 2023

The Online Version of my article about Robbie Basho's 12 string for the November-December 2023 issue of Acoustic Guitar Magazine is available now.

Buck Curran & Adele H '13th Mountain' Folk Radio UK 'Song of the Day'

Buck Curran & Adele H cover of '13th Mountain'(a song from Bruce Cockburn's 1970 Debut Album) makes Folk Radio UK 'Song of the Day'. The song is available now on Apple Music, Amazon, Spotify, etc. The best way to support this release is at Obsolete Recordings Bandcamp

Buck Curran & Liam Grant Tour 2023

The Robbie Basho 12 String Restoration Project: Art & Music Bundles

The Robbie Basho 12 String Restoration Project! We are presenting a very special offer over at Bandcamp: Art and Music bundles with signed original watercolor paintings by Buck and Steffen Basho-Junghans, custom recordings, etc. There are 3 tier levels to support this project. For full details and Mission Statement please visit Obsolete Recordings Bandcamp

Official Video for Winter Solstice 1: A Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans by Buck Curran

The Official Video for Winter Solstice 1, Buck Curran's dedication to Steffen Basho-Junghans. The video was filmed on location in the old historic city of Bergamo, Italy 13 January 2023 by David James Logan. The track was recorded using Robbie Basho's 12 String and the guitar is featured prominently in the video. From the album Solstice 'A Tribute To Steffen Basho-Junghans' (Various Artists) available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp

Folk Radio UK Video Premiere: Buck Curran's Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans

Folk Radio Uk Video Premiere of Buck Curran's Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans.

Solstice: A Tribute to Steffen Basho-Junghans (Various Artists)

Sadly our dear friend, guitarist Steffen Basho-Junghans passed away in December of 2022. With the help of an amazing lineup of guitarists from the US, UK and Europe, Buck has lovingly produced a Tribute to honour Steffen Basho. Among the 23 tracks include artists such as Henry Kaiser, Joseph Allred, Liam Grant, Kendraplex, Isasa, Paul Perrim, Blake Hornsby, and Jesse Sheppard (Elkhorn). The album is available now at Obsolete Recordings Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music