AI Music, Corporate Lessons, and Political Rants: Joe Schwartz Returns | Set Lusting Bruce (B-Side)

Host Jesse Jackson welcomes returning guest Joe Schwartz, a retired corporate technology executive who began experimenting with AI music to explore creativity and deliver message-driven songs. Joe describes his career (from programmer to VP of application development at Hyatt) and how agile, test-driven thinking shaped his evolving process: starting with an idea, drafting lyrics, generating many genre variations, then refining sound, structure, and wording through iterative “covers,” mixing, and meta-tag direction. He discusses using AI to challenge constraints, the tension between creativity and promotion/analytics, and learning that art is about finding an audience rather than being “good” or “bad.” Joe shares politically influenced songwriting, including “Ready for Doom,” built around the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and an updated “John Henry” reimagined as musician vs. tech. He reflects on goals, audience reach, and making music for intellectual and creative stimulation. Artist name on all platforms: Joseph SchwartzHere is my website: https://joespi.carrd.co Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1i0YtjdzwndXd3oQqiiLoT 00:00 B-Side Welcome 00:37 Meet Joe Again 01:12 Corporate Tech Career 03:50 Discovering AI Music 08:01 Test Driven Songmaking 12:42 Joe’s Creative Workflow 15:43 Heart and Rants 17:02 Reimagining John Henry 19:43 Evolving Tools and Genres 22:58 Promotion and Analytics 29:01 Breakthrough Ready for Doom 32:35 Politics in the Lyrics 35:37 Goals After the Peak 40:49 Finding Your Audience 41:58 Wrap Up and Where to Listen 44:08 Closing Blessing I Wish You Well Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices