Ryan Garney: Why 2026 is the "Line in the Sand" for AI Bands & The Underground Music Scene

In this episode of The Sonic Road Podcast, Ryan Garney (High Desert Queen) shares his deep concern over the rise of AI bands topping the charts and the potentially devastating impact on human musicianship. Ryan highlights the "scary" reality of artificial algorithms amassing massive followings on Spotify and warns that reliance on technology risks stripping rock and roll of its essential creative edge and soul. As a veteran of the independent rock scene, Ryan predicts that 2026 will be a pivotal year of change, serving as a cultural "line in the sand" where fans and artists alike will push back against sterile, algorithmic perfection. We discuss his vision for a massive shift back to authentic musicianship, which he believes will swell the underground music scene and reinforce the value of real, human-driven riffs. This is a must-watch for anyone passionate about the future of live music and the preservation of human artistry in the digital age. High Desert Queen Bandcamp: https://highdesertqueen.bandcamp.com/ Ripple Fest Texas: lickofmyspoon.com The Sonic Road Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thesonicroad Follow The Sonic Road Podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook & X: @thesonicroad #thesonicroadpodcast #HighDesertQueen #AIMusic #UndergroundMusic #MusicIndustry2026 #RyanGarney