Creating the “Perfect” Pumpfoiling Music with AI: My Journey

Pumpfoiling has always been more than just a sport for me— it has been an experience of freedom, rhythm and connection with the water and with nice people, some of whom I now call friends. But I often found myself searching for the right music to accompany that feeling in videos and during sessions. So, I decided to create it myself, combining my love for pumpfoiling with my curiosity for AI-driven creativity.

Using tools like Suno, ChatGPT, and MidJourney, I embarked on an ambitious project: crafting music specifically designed to reflect the essence of pumpfoiling. What started as an experiment turned into a creative adventure involving three albums, custom lyrics, and an entirely fictional studio.

Here’s how I turned AI into my co-creator and why this project deepened my respect for human artistry.

The Tools: Combining Suno, ChatGPT, and MidJourney

To bring my musical vision to life, I relied on three powerful AI tools:

• Suno for composing and producing the instrumental tracks ($10/month).
• ChatGPT for crafting lyrics and refining creative ideas ($20/month).
• MidJourney for creating stunning album covers and artwork ($30/month).

These tools allowed me to explore different genres, test new ideas, and efficiently create music and visuals.

Distributing My Work: Lakeshore Studios

To tie everything together, I “founded” a fictional studio named Lakeshore Studios, where creativity flows as freely as the water beneath a pumpfoil ;-).

Thanks to DistroKid, it was incredibly simple to distribute my music across various streaming platforms, making it accessible to a wide audience. The service supports a broad range of platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube Music, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer, TIDAL, iHeartRadio, ClaroMusica, Saavn, Anghami, Boomplay, Snapchat, NetEase, Tencent (QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music, WeSing), Pretzel, TouchTunes, Audiomack, Qobuz, Joox, and Kuack Media Group.

Albums and Styles

After some weeks of experimentation, I created three albums that showcase the versatility of pumpfoiling-inspired music:

“Happy Place by the Lake”

A playful mix of genres like Ska Punk, Indie, Folk, Reggae, Jawaiian and Hip Hop. With texts about the feeling of pumpfoiling, the friends at the lake, about falls and progress etc.

“Loyal to the Foil”

Another album where I experimented with different genres and lyrics.

The Water’s Voice

A purely instrumental album that blends elements of classical music such as piano and cello with some jazz & modern touches such as drum & bass. Each track has been designed to reflect the fluidity and energy of water.

AI Costs and Considerations

Producing music with AI tools is accessible and cost-effective compared to traditional methods. Here’s a breakdown of the monthly costs:

• MidJourney for visuals: $30/month
• Suno for music production: $10/month
• ChatGPT for lyrics and creative input: $20/month
• Musixmatch for Lyric sychnronisation and upload to the platforms: $3/month

In total, I invested $63/month into these tools, making it an affordable way to explore new creative avenues. However, this cost also highlights how accessible AI has made it to produce music, which could have both positive and negative implications for the music industry.

A Critical Reflection on AI-Generated Music

While this journey has been incredibly rewarding and creative, it has also made me reflect on the limitations of AI-generated music. Despite producing polished tracks with captivating melodies, I often felt that something essential was missing: depth, emotion and the subtle nuances that human artistry brings.

Music created by human artists carries the weight of their experiences, struggles and emotions – something AI simply cannot replicate. The songs I created with AI lacked the richness and soul that comes from deeply personal expression. Even though I have always tried to bring my emotions into it while prompting.

This realisation has given me an even greater appreciation for the hard work, creativity and passion that human musicians put into their craft. While AI is a fantastic tool for experimenting and exploring new ideas, it will never replace the irreplaceable spark of human creativity.

For me, this project has been not only a creative experiment, but also a lesson in respect for traditional artistry.

Why This Matters

Ultimately, this project was driven by two goals:

• To create music that enhances pumpfoiling videos.
• To experiment with AI tools and explore how far they can take creativity.

While AI has proven to be an incredible asset in pushing creative boundaries, this experience has deepened my respect for human artistry and reinforced the importance of preserving the emotional depth that only humans can bring to their creations.

If you’re a pumpfoiler – or just someone fascinated by the intersection of technology and art – I invite you to listen to the albums and experience the creative journey for yourself.

Stay Loyal to the Foil!