A shibuya-based startup offers music apps without AI prompting

A Shibuya-based startup, A Vinyl Bar, is launching a series of music apps that focus on user interaction rather than AI-generated content. The company, founded by Máuhan M Zonoozy, a former Spotify innovation head, has raised $5.5 million in pre-seed funding from notable investors including Mantis VC and Dawn Ostroff. Zonoozy emphasized the importance of human creativity in music, stating that while AI is powerful, the future of music lies in taste and participation rather than automated generation. The startup's apps, such as Speed Surfer and Usersound, allow users to manipulate sound and create music through interactive elements. The company is also developing an iOS app called bop, which enables users to create and share music mixes on social platforms. Zonoozy plans to release a 'musical sandbox mixer' this year, expanding on the interactive music-making experience. Zonoozy's decision to avoid AI in core app functions reflects a broader strategy to prioritize user creativity. He believes that as AI-generated content becomes more abundant, the value of human interaction with music will increase. The startup is also working on a multiplayer version of its app, allowing users to collaborate on remixes. Despite the growing AI music landscape, A Vinyl Bar aims to provide a unique, hands-on approach to music creation, emphasizing the role of human creativity in the process.