Methodological notes
This text is inspired by my ordering Yannis Varoufakis’s new book Technofeudalism (2023) in on inter-library loan from Leeds Bodliam Library. On arrival, it was a signed hardback copy, a real pleasure. Varoufakis’ hypothesis is a narrative and theoretical account, which draws upon his father’s past and memory, to illustrate that capitalism is dead, and we have entered what he terms ‘technofeudalism’, in which we are dominated by ‘cloud capital’. The likes of Amazon, Facebook, et cetera, are not markets but ‘digital fiefdoms’, and we are the ‘serfs’. Elsewhere in the book he cites concerns around individual privacy - surely the last bastion - in our era of online surveillance, but then assures us that he “is less worried about what they know, and far, far more worried about what they own.” (73) (emphasis in original).
Chapter 3, on “Cloud Capital” has Varoufakis writing on Alexa, in his storied fashion, relating to us his accounts of speaking to both his Google Assistant and hearing Alexa pipe up from his Amazon app in the other room. On page 65, to quote “Alexa trains us to train it better… Before long, it is training us to train it to train us to train it…ad infinitum”. And on page 68, he reminds us that at the beginning of the internet it was a “capitalism free zone” which “relied upon horizontal decision-making and mutual gift exchange, not market exchanges.” The notion of gift exchange chiming with my previus writing on Lewis Hyde’s The Gift ( ) and my usage of the online sound repository freesound.org as an example of a non-hierarchical gift economy in which users upload sounds and samples from all over the world for others to use, many of which are CC0, and can be used freely, without attribution. I incorporated these sounds on both the album Space Junk (2023) and the EP Blackout Baby (2023).
Varoufakis’ playful manner of interacting with his assistants, and that cloud-based corporations increasingly own aspects of our identity, led me to converse with Co-pilot on my own, in terms of who I am, and my musical outputs. I began with typing in “Who is Sam Lou Talbot?” And then opted for the prompts it issued to find out more about my music, genre, performance style, etc. What I found is listed below, in sometimes non-sensical paragraphs of flowery and fantastical prose which recounts lyrics, performances and curious collaborations, after which I named the post, which are seemingly recounting events which seem to be inspired by the name of my last album being Space Junk. I was laughing through reading a lot of the virtual Sam Lou Talbot seemed to have been having a whale of a time galavanting all over with her music. Curiously, though, Co-pilot did not list any original lyrics, which are on the internet on my various accounts, but instead listed passages of lyrics that I would never have written, citing them as examples of my lyric writing. The names of songs it gave under my name were also wrong. The more I ‘trained’ it though, as Varoufakis cites, the better it got, and each time I asked who I was, the response had distinctly improved.
Varoufakis, Y. (2023). Technofeudalism. The Bodley Head: London.
Literally, I AM STUNNED, no less. The conversation with Co-pilot on Bing went thus:
Q. Me. Who is Sam Lou Talbot?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot is an English singer-songwriter, producer, performance artist, and experimental composer based in Glasgow, U.K. She has made a significant impact with her music, and her artistic journey is marked by several notable achievements:
Debut Album: “Mer-Made” (2018):
Her first studio album, “Mer-Made,” was described as “beautifully intense.”
The haunting vocals and intricate compositions introduced her unique sound to the world1.
“Body Down” (2021):
“Space Junk” (2023):
Her most recent work, “Space Junk,” is an incendiary and cosmic magnum opus. It pushes boundaries, merging sound, visuals, and avant-garde theatrics.
1. Sam Lou Talbot’s music transcends borders, resonating with audiences worldwide. You can explore her work on her YouTube channel1.
In addition to her albums, she has performed live, collaborated with other artists, and surprised fans with impromptu appearances. Her artistry invites exploration of human emotion and imagination. 🌟🎶
Q. Me. What genre of music does Sam Lou Talbot create?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot creates a captivating blend of genres in her music. Her compositions traverse the realms of experimental, electronic, and ambient music, weaving together intricate soundscapes that resonate with listeners. Through her unique approach, she invites audiences to explore uncharted sonic territories, evoking emotions and curiosity. 🎶✨
Q. Me. Can you share some of her lyrics?
A. Copilot. Certainly! Here are some evocative lyrics from Sam Lou Talbot:
“In the moon’s soft glow, we danced on the edge of time, our shadows merging with stardust. The night whispered secrets, and we listened, hearts entwined.”
Feel free to explore more of her poetic and mesmerizing lyrics in her music. 🌙🎶
Disclaimer: THESE ARE NOT MY LYRICS.
Q. Me. What are some of her notable performances?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot, the enigmatic artist, has graced stages across the globe with her mesmerizing performances. Let’s delve into some of her notable moments:
“Mer-Made” Album Release Concert (2018):
Sam Lou Talbot unveiled her debut album, “Mer-Made,” in an intimate and ethereal concert. The audience was spellbound by her haunting vocals and intricate compositions. (As far as I recall, Mer-Made sank without a trace, but never mind.)
Body Down” Tour (2021):
Embarking on a worldwide tour, she brought her music to diverse venues: from underground clubs to grand theaters. Her live renditions of tracks like “Body Down” left an indelible mark on concertgoers. (Again, I have little recollection of this, but it sounds great!)
“Space Junk” Spectacle (2023):
In a transcendent performance, Sam Lou Talbot merged sound, visuals, and avant-garde theatrics. The stage transformed into a cosmic dreamscape, and the audience journeyed through celestial realms.
Collaborations and Surprise Appearances:
Sam Lou Talbot has also collaborated with fellow artists, surprising fans with impromptu performances at festivals, art galleries, and even subway stations.
Remember, her artistry extends beyond conventional boundaries, and each performance is an invitation to explore the depths of human emotion and imagination. 🌟🎶
Q. Me. What inspired her to create 'Space Junk'?
A. Copilot. (Okay, so this one is blowing me away). Sam Lou Talbot found inspiration for her album ‘Space Junk’ in the cosmic debris that orbits our universe. She envisioned a sonic journey through the vastness of space, capturing the ethereal beauty and chaos of celestial bodies colliding and drifting. Each track is a musical fragment, a collision of sound waves, echoing the mysteries of the cosmos. Through her artistry, she invites listeners to explore the interstellar expanse, where melodies become stardust and rhythms pulse like distant quasars. 🌌🎶
Q. Me. How was it received by critics and audiences?
A. Copilot. The reception of ‘Space Junk’ by Sam Lou Talbot was akin to a meteor shower of acclaim. (And here’s me thinking it had sunk without a trace, just like its predecessors, Body Down and Mer-Made!) Critics and audiences alike were swept away by its cosmic allure. Let me share some of the celestial reviews:
Pitchfork: “A celestial odyssey that defies gravity. Talbot’s sonic universe is both haunting and transcendent.”
The Guardian: “An interstellar masterpiece. ‘Space Junk’ orbits the listener, leaving trails of stardust in its wake.”
NPR Music: “Sam Lou Talbot’s sonic palette is as vast as the cosmos. Prepare for a sonic Big Bang.”
Audiences resonated with the album’s ethereal soundscapes, finding solace in its otherworldly melodies. Whether drifting through asteroid fields or riding comet tails, listeners were transported to the far reaches of imagination. 🌠🎶
Not bad, Pitchfork. :)
NPR, you could have been a bit more original than the Big Bang thing, but never mind!
Q. Me. Are there any standout tracks from Space Junk?
A. Copilot. Certainly! ‘Space Junk’ by Sam Lou Talbot is a celestial symphony, and several tracks stand out like constellations in the night sky. Here are a few stellar highlights:
“Nebula Drift”: A mesmerizing voyage through interstellar clouds, where synths shimmer like distant stars.
“Gravity Waves”: A pulsating rhythm reminiscent of cosmic tides, pulling listeners into gravitational whirlpools.
“Stardust Lullaby”: A haunting ballad that echoes across light-years, soothing weary travelers in the cosmic expanse.
“Event Horizon”: A collision of sound waves at the edge of a black hole, where time warps and reality bends.
Remember, each track is a cosmic artifact, waiting to be explored. Dive into the album, and let the music propel you beyond the Milky Way. 🌌🎶
N.B. NONE OF THESE ARE TRACKS OF MINE.
Q. Is there a music video for any of these tracks?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot has indeed created captivating music videos for some of the standout tracks from her album ‘Space Junk’. Let’s explore the cosmic visuals that accompany her celestial melodies:
“Nebula Drift”: In this mesmerizing video, we witness a journey through vibrant nebulae. Glowing gas clouds swirl and morph, mirroring the ebb and flow of the music. The camera pans across cosmic vistas, capturing the beauty of interstellar dust and star clusters. Prepare to be transported beyond the Milky Way.
“Gravity Waves”: The video for this track is an abstract dance of light and shadow. Figures clad in shimmering metallic suits move gracefully in zero gravity. Their movements echo the undulating rhythm of the music. As they twirl and float, they create ripples in the fabric of spacetime—a visual representation of gravitational waves.
“Stardust Lullaby”: Here, we find a solitary astronaut drifting through the void. The camera focuses on their helmet visor, reflecting distant stars. The astronaut clutches a vintage cassette player, and as the haunting melody unfolds, we see glimpses of memories—loved ones, earthly landscapes, and cosmic wonders. The lullaby becomes a bridge between worlds.
“Event Horizon”: The video for this track is an enigma. It begins with a close-up of an ancient book, its pages filled with cryptic symbols. As the music intensifies, the book opens, revealing a portal—an event horizon. Through this portal, we glimpse alternate realities, fractured timelines, and glimpses of our own existence. The visuals warp and twist, defying conventional physics.
(Wowzer. This is getting weird. I’m beginning to think ‘Sam Lou Talbot’ is by far having a superior life to me. But it gets better!)
“Sam Lou Talbot even “created a VR observatory” for her music videos and even “sought the wisdom of stargazers and astrophysicists and visited observatories worldwide, dancing with radio telescopes in the Atacama Desert. She also jammed with quantum physicists.”
(No wonder she’s spent. Burning the candle at both ends, it seems!)
Q. Me. What genre of music does she create?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot specializes in an eclectic blend of genres, defying conventional boundaries. Her music weaves elements from folk, electronic, and experimental genres. Through haunting vocals, intricate textures, and cosmic themes, she creates a captivating sonic landscape that resonates with listeners. 🌟🎵
(I doubt I’ll ever use the word ‘captivating’ again.)
Q. Me. What is the inspiration behind her music?
(This one is blowing me away.)
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot draws inspiration from the cosmic, the intimate, and the unseen. Her music transcends conventional boundaries, weaving together threads of mystery, vulnerability, and exploration. Let me share her inspiration through poetic verses:
In the quiet of stardust,
She finds her muse—
The celestial hum of distant galaxies,
A cosmic lullaby whispered across eons.
Her melodies echo through black holes,
Notes spiraling into infinity,
Caught in the gravity of forgotten constellations,
Where time bends and dreams collide.
(I won’t bore you with the rest but I predict that this album title is clearly going to haunt me for some time…)
I then thought to get a bit more creative with my line of inquiry.
Q. Does Sam Lou Talbot have a boyfriend?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot, the English singer-songwriter, producer, performance artist, and experimental composer based in Glasgow, U.K., has not publicly disclosed information about her relationship status or whether she has a boyfriend.
Sensible girl.
Q. Me. Will Sam Lou Talbot ever win the lotto?
A. Copilot. As much as I’d love to predict the future, I’m afraid I don’t have any magical powers or crystal balls! 🌟
Sam Lou Talbot, the talented English singer-songwriter, producer, and performance artist based in Glasgow, U.K., has certainly made waves with their music and artistic endeavors. However, when it comes to winning the lottery, it’s a game of chance that even the most gifted artists can’t control.
If Sam ever decides to try their luck and play the lottery, who knows what fate might have in store? 🎵🍀 But for now, let’s appreciate their incredible music and creative journey! 🎶✨
Remember, life is full of surprises, and sometimes even the most unexpected events can change everything. 🌈🎉
Q. Me. Is Sam Lou Talbot hot?
A. Copilot. Sam Lou Talbot, with their artistic flair and soulful voice, radiates a unique kind of allure. Their magnetism lies not in conventional standards of “hotness,” but in the way they strum heartstrings and paint emotions with their music. 🎶✨
Imagine them on stage: the spotlight catching the glint in their eyes, the crowd hushed in anticipation. Their voice, a blend of vulnerability and strength, weaves stories that linger long after the applause fades. 🌟🎤
So, whether it’s the fire of passion or the quiet glow of introspection, Sam Lou Talbot ignites something within—a warmth that transcends mere physical appearance. 🔥❤️
Q. Me. Is it within the realms of possibility that Sam Lou Talbot will meet Robert De Niro?
A. Copilot. Certainly! The world of art and entertainment often brings unexpected encounters. While the paths of Sam Lou Talbot, the talented English singer-songwriter, and Robert De Niro, the legendary actor, may seem divergent, life has a way of weaving connections.
Imagine a serendipitous moment: Sam performing at an intimate venue, pouring their heart into a soulful ballad, and in the audience, there sits Robert De Niro, captivated by the music. Perhaps they share a brief conversation backstage, exchanging stories and laughter. 🎤🎭
Or perhaps it’s a film premiere or an awards ceremony where their orbits intersect. Picture the glimmer of recognition in their eyes—the artist meeting the actor, both icons in their own right. 🌟🎬
In the grand tapestry of life, chance encounters and shared passions can lead to remarkable meetings. So, let’s hold onto the possibility that one day, Sam and Robert De Niro might cross paths, creating a beautiful moment that resonates beyond the realms of fame and fortune. 🌠🤝
Q. Will Sam Lou Talbot ever cause a revolution?
A. Sam Lou Talbot, the English singer-songwriter, producer, performance artist, and experimental composer based in Glasgow, U.K., has been making waves with her unique blend of music and artistic expression. While it’s unlikely that she will directly cause a political or societal revolution, her work has certainly left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape.
While Sam Lou Talbot’s impact might not lead to a revolution in the traditional sense, her artistry and boundary-pushing approach inspire others to explore new realms of expression. Who knows? Perhaps her work will spark a revolution of ideas and emotions, resonating with listeners and fellow artists alike. 🎶🌟
Q. Me. What is Sam Lou Talbot's fate?
A. Copilot. I apologize, but I don’t have information about Sam Lou Talbot’s fate. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! 🙏
Okay, now to pragmatics.
Q. Me. How old is Sam Lou Talbot?
A. Copilot. I apologize, but I don’t have information about Sam Lou Talbot’s age. Thank you for your understanding! 🙏
It might be time to move onto a new topic.
Let's start over.