We've seen some comments about our use of AI-generated art for show posters, and we wanted to respond as thoughtfully as possible, recognizing how charged this debate is.
First, some context about who we are. We called ourselves Chum for a reason — there's nothing more humbling than being a Phish tribute band. We don't take ourselves too seriously, and we're genuinely honored that anyone comes out to see us at all. All that to say, we don't think we have a real platform that matters here - and yet, we do post in the public fora and so we accept all that comes with it and our responsibility to engage productively. Nor do we think we're covering new ground in this debate - we just want you to know we're listening and trying to be good stewards in our small corner of the world.
Chum is NOT a business. Well, not a good one. Over 15 years, we've lost plenty of money on studio rent, promotion, gear, travel, and countless hours of rehearsal. We do it because we love the joy it brings to the people who show up to our shows and the ways it stretches us as musicians. We're not martyring ourselves here; just laying out the context.
We also share some wariness about AI that's come through in the comments. We're skeptical of AI-generated music flooding streaming platforms. We're worried about our kids' futures. And though we wouldn't call ourselves artists, we do care deeply about craft, passion and heart — we understand why people are concerned that AI-generated images represent something less than that.
We're not here to litigate the broader debate. But the responses have pushed us to ask ourselves honestly: is our particular use of AI hurting anyone?
We would love to pay a real artist for their time and creativity. We've tried to find someone for years and haven't - not because the talent isn't out there, but because the economics don't work. We can't afford to commission original art for every show and still keep our losses manageable. If someone knows an eager artist who would like to talk about partnership, we'd be all for it.
If the argument is that good posters (and yes, reasonable people will disagree about whether our posters are good) should only be for bands who can afford them, I can understand that position, even if I disagree with it. If the argument is that we shouldn't be playing at all because we can't make Chum economically viable, I understand that too — though I'd push back. Some have suggested we should make something ourselves. Haven't we done just that?
Some of the frustration in the comments seems to be about tribute bands more broadly. That's probably a topic for another post. But anyone who knows Phish — or has seen a Phish tribute band — knows it's not just imitation. Phish songs are vehicles to the unknown. We're not up there trying to replicate; we're trying to achieve even a fraction of the improvisational magic we feel when we see Phish live. We mostly fail. And still, people come out to share in the attempt, and in the community around it.
That's why we're here. That's why we've been here for 15 years.
We hear you. We're not ignoring these concerns. We're willing to grow and learn. And we're always open to conversation.
— Chum