New Podcast episode from Steinar Jeffs: Ezra Sandzer- Bell: Cryptograms, Creativity and Why AI Café Music Misses the Point
In this episode, Ezra Sandzer-Bell shares his journey from classical and math rock musician to software developer, educator, and founder of AudioCipher — a tool that turns words into melodies and chord progressions. Ezra discusses how cryptographic techniques and secret codes have historically appeared in music, from Bach to 90s post-rock, and how these ideas inspired his books.
We explore the philosophical and technical ideas behind AudioCipher, how it reclaims agency in an AI-dominated landscape, and how it fits into the broader question of creativity, automation, and authorship in music today.
Ezra also talks about his role as a writer and marketer in the AI music space, the dangers of generative audio flooding public spaces, and why honesty and critical product reviews are essential right now.