How artificial intelligence, interactivity and data-driven systems can transform the way music is created, experienced and composed is the focus of a new book by an academic at The University of Western Australia.

Interactive Technologies and Music Making: Transmutable Music by Dr Tracy Redhead, a music technologist, researcher and composer at UWA’s Conservatorium of Music, published by Routledge, will be launched on Friday 18 July as part of the Politics of the Machine (POM) 2025 conference.

“At the heart of the book is a new compositional model for recorded music – one that allows music to be fluid and responsive, changing in real time like live performance, or like music naturally does,” Dr Redhead said.

In the book, Dr Redhead presents the idea of transmutable music, which is recorded music that adapts in response to data, like time, environment or user interaction.

“This concept opens new possibilities for evolving songs and systems, challenging the static nature of traditional recordings,” she said.

“It creates exciting opportunities for songwriting and storytelling, allowing artists to craft works that change in meaning, mood or form depending on how and where they are experienced.”

The launch will include a short talk and question and answer session with the author, offering insights into the book’s development and showcase proof of concept.

“This book is a conversation starter for anyone working at the intersection of music, creativity, and technology,” Dr Redhead said.

“It invites us to rethink what a ‘finished’ song can be – and how music might tell stories that evolve, not repeat.”

The free event is on Friday 18 July from 10.30am to 11am at the Great Southern Room, State Library of Western Australia and sponsored by POM, UWA, Business Events Perth and Perron Institute.

To register to attend click here.