Chaisen Hale: Too Alive — Live Coverage

Thanks for hanging with Zinstrel in LA! Check out our article that features this event, "The Music Industry Is Missing Another Underground Movement." https://zinstrel.substack.com/p/the-music-industry-is-missing-another

John and Ollie taking questions from the livestream after the show.

That was really cool. Collecting my thoughts.

Curtain call!

After his thank you, a montage of all his videos which is very moving and cinematic, with the word "coexist" simply appearing onscreen at the end.

"I want to use my voice to lift people up, and not to drown anyone else out."

"I get that I'm different. I just don't want different to mean I can't belong."

"The first thing I ever bought online was a birthday gift for John." -Chaisen

Now, another video. Back to the desert. Chaisen thanks us for the "best night" of his life. But teases something... "In two weeks or so, I get my new body. Seriously."

He said "too real" in this song. Hashtag saved. #tooreal

"How Am I Ever Gonna Love"

Quick costume change. Now "How Am I Gonna Love," currently charting on SIQA.

John got a loud ovation for his first solo performance as Chaisen. In his voice.

"Out of sight, out of mind."

John Victor is singing now, accompanied by the Zero Signal guitarist/screamer, who is now playing acoustic.

John Victor after the song puts a hand on his chest, looks at his hand, giving us the moment the AI realizes he's in a human form.

That's "Sing for Me".

"Song for Me" features John Victor, flanked by the Choir. He's selling the song well, despite the lipsync. This is the moment history was made. He did it. He's embodying an AI singer. He's selling it well. It's a powerful moment early on.

"Thank you for bringing me back to life." Song about how Chaisen had to be revived following the car crash featured Brian literally onstage, showing his absolute embodiment in this project.

Screen goes up, revealing John and Ollie.

Preroll video has introduced Chaisen. He's in a desert. Very cinematic, meditative atmosphere to set the Chaisen segment. "I'm ready to feel alive with you. I can hardly believe that I get to be here, that I get to breathe. I wanna feel too alive with you."

Zero Signal did two Chaisen Hale songs and they were incredible. The fact that a band can take a song produced by AI and turn it into a legitimately excellent performance says everything you need to know about where this is all going, and that human artists are not threatened.

"Fake Friends" was the second song. So good.

Zero Signal is pretty freaking talented. They're on their second original song. Lots of high quality playing, singing, and screaming. Methinks Chaisen song is next.

Okay guys...

Zero Signal is melting our faces off to start the show.

Brian has opened the show. He said that if anything tonight should eliminate fear in AI and show people what's possible.

This venue is called The Cats Crawl, and co-owner Daniel is hard at work making drinks. As good as an old fashioned sounds, I'm in the job. It'll be a Coke Zero.

That long until the event, here are some thoughts: the whole thing feels like a family affair. All of the performers have loved ones here. The VIP tickets have been given to first responders. The main performers are milling about with a little nervous energy but are pumped. Brian looks like he's about to play in the Super Bowl. Despite the cozy, family feel of this event, it's clear something bigger is happening as it relates to AI Music and its place in culture.

Brian chatting up a buddy. He's clearly put everything into this show and is deeply invested in its execution. He's gonna sleep like a baby tonight.

The prep is officially over. 15 mins until showtime. The walk-in Spotify playlist is rolling. Sounds like New Orleans big band... which matches the venue.

That moment you realize you've been saying #tooreal all day and the hashtag is actually #tooalive. SMH. #journalism

Quick lip sync rehearsal. Powerful stuff.

"I can't believe we're here. Isn't this so exciting?" Overheard from the audience. The speaker, Bob Reynolds, flew in from Arizona to see the show. He runs a YouTube channel and website about geography called ClickAndLearn.fun, and beyond strong support for the project, he's hoping to learn more about how he can use AI media in what he's doing.

I just learned that the killer rock band that opens the show will be doing some Chaisen Hale covers. I'm super interested to see what that looks like. It's giving NEON ONI.

John Victor's sound check!

I just got some more Intel about the Choir. Apparently, Brian knew that this concert needed a Choir, and according to Deb, finding the right Choir really determined where this event would be held. Thankfully, he found one not too far from home. One of the things about this Choir is that they're willing to do unconventional and unexpected performances like this. Originally it was only a few kids, but Moore and Moore decided they wanted to be a part of this event and it's up to 24 singers.

Musyca Children's Choir is pretty in-demand. A mom told me they do so many SAG events that if her daughter does much more she may have to join SAG.

Choir looks pretty cool onstage. Apparently this Choir is a pretty big deal in the LA area. They're headed to Carnegie Hall soon and they recently went to Brazil from what I just learned.

Positions for the first song.

Ok we're back. Nothing was happening anyway... but now it's a full run through... started with a very loud car crash should, per Chaisen's story.

Gonna take a quick charge break... you should take this opportunity to get tickets for the stream, which goes live in less than an hour

Really hoping my external battery pack does what it needs to! Should be fine... #tooreal

Back to Deb... she added that there is a world where we get the well crafted ultra detailed human work in cinema, but also AI empowering storytellers to create projects that would never get the funding or support from traditional means. She said there's room for both.

Soundcheck with John and the choir is about to happen.

Something that was clear to me the first time I interviewed Brian was that he cares as much about the video accompaniment with his songs as he does the songs themselves, perhaps more.

I just chatted with Brian Gregory's wife, Deb. She said Chaisen Hale story has been 20 years in the making, and that Brian has always been a storyteller, and that this concert is just a natural evolution of his desire to tell stories in new ways. If you're unfamiliar with the general gist of this character, it's quite heartbreaking actually. It follows him in the aftermath of a devastating car crash. Having to deal with life and the difficulty of loss.

A shot of the Chaisen Hale video that'll run tonight.

The choir is doing one song with Chaisen, backing him. Not sure which one yet.

The robes have arrived (for the choir, in case you weren't sure).

The two Chaisen Hale actors, John Victor and Oliver Stover (who plays young Chaisen), hyping each other up pre-show.

The stage is set. T-minus 90 minutes until showtime.

There's the choir, waiting for their soundcheck.

Not my mom. A mom. My mom isn't here.

The Musyca Children's Choir just walked in, and my mom was holding a Costco box of Pringles. This Choir knows what's up.

Talked with one of the dads of the opening band, Zero Signal. I asked them why they decided to do the show, given that some backlash could exist because it's an AI show. The dad just simply said, "They're musicians." There's really nothing overly "AI" about this show. Yes, the songs come from an AI artist. Yes, that AI artist will appear on screen. But for all intents and purposes, this is a rock show. Suno may have generated the songs but real musicians are ready to put their spin on the songs.

There's an emotional, cinematic weight to the evening, which makes sense if you're familiar with Chaisen Hale's music. He sings about tough stuff kids go through.

John Victor tells me he's been practicing a ton. He's a little nervous, but it's not gonna be a big deal. He's ready. Like we expected, John will be singing some songs himself and lipsyncing others as Chaisen.

Pre-show family pics happening with John Victor.

Boss man Brian Gregory taking a director's pose as he watches the preroll video test.

Some murmurs that Chaisen is gonna announce something big tonight...

John Victor getting ready for soundcheck.

Just learned they didn't sell physical tickets for this show. ALL of the available seats have been given to first responders and VIPs.

Talked with the moms of the two actors, John and Ollie, who are playing Chaisen. They're nervous, for sure, but the moms say they make each other less nervous and once they soundcheck they'll be fine.

The sound check vibes are good. The two actors (yep, two) playing Chaisen are backstage mentally prepping for what sounds to be a massive evening.

SoCal rockers Zero Signal are rehearsing the Chaisen song "Too Alive" right now. They're freaking good. They're realllly young and very talented.

Got my official flyer and VIP badge! This is getting real!

Oh this place is cool. I was instantly greeted with this upon entering the venue.

Five o'clock traffic in L.A. is #tooreal ...

It'll be interesting to see what the staging is like. Chaisen's creator, Brian Gregory, is a filmmaker by trade. Curious to see his cinematic approach.

Headed to the venue now!

Chips 'n guac lunch in LA on a nice day! No, I'm not sharing. (Photos.) #tooreal

Made it to LA! T-minus 6 hours 45 minutes until the show starts!

When the seatback screen says 5m until landing... for 15m. #tooreal

Layovers. #tooreal

When you arrive at the gate and everyone is standing although everyone knows nobody is going anywhere for a few minutes. #tooreal

When you put on a mask on the plane so you don't get sick but everyone else thinks you're sick. 😷 #tooreal

When you're boarding the plane and the jet bridge bizarrely drops just a little. 😬 #tooreal

When the precheck line is longer than the regular line. #tooreal

Maybe I should do reflections on what's #tooreal all day today. The airport is a great place for that... it is all too real.

Representing AI:Underground today with the new tee!

It's the big day! Can't wait to see what's going to happen!

AI artists are coming to the stage. Don’t be scared. #aimusic #futureofmusic #chaisenhale https://zinstrel.substack.com/p/feb-9-frame-ai-artists-are-coming?utm_source=publication-search

The #chaisenhale show will feature actor/performer John Victor, the Musyca Children’s Choir, and the band Zero Signal.

We did an interview with the creator of Chaisen Hale and John Victor earlier this year. If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and learn about this artist and the project's aspirations! https://www.zinstrel.com/features/chaisen-hale-becomes-real

Had a big storm here at home in Boise, ID — including lots of hail. I'm excited to head to LA tomorrow for better weather... and for Chaisen Hale instead of ... um ... chasing hail.

Here's the poster for the event. Chaisen will be joined by some special guests Thursday night.

Is this thing on?