THE RADIATION

Frequently Asked Questions

(Well Occasionally Asked Anyway)

Do you play any instruments on your tracks?

Yes. Many songs begin as original Sweetapple demos recorded with guitar and sometimes keyboards. Some recordings keep these live parts, while others use them as the foundation. The process always starts with a human composition and performance, then AI helps arrange or expand the sound. This approach blends traditional songwriting with AI music technology, keeping the original song at the centre while allowing a human songwriter to experiment with new production possibilities.

Why did you start writing songs using Suno AI covers?

I have written, recorded and performed songs for many years. Suno works like a “band and producer in a box”, allowing my original songs to be arranged and performed in many musical styles. Instead of replacing creativity, I find it changes and expands it. I can hear ideas quickly and experiment with instruments I do not play. For modern music creators, tools like Suno allow AI-assisted songwriting while keeping the original tune and lyrics written by a human composer.

Is there anything different about the way you write songs now?

Yes. In many cases the lyrics now come first. Previously I pretty much alwasy wrote music before the words, but working with Suno AI covers has encouraged a different workflow. I often begin with a lyric idea, then build the song around it. This has allowed me to explore many lyrical styles, from serious storytelling to humour and experimental writing.For a songwriter, AI tools make it easier to test different musical settings while keeping the focus on original songwriting.

Is your music available on streaming platforms?

Yes. Music from The Radiation, The Skyscrapers, and other projects is distributed widely through major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music. These releases feature original songs written by Matthew Sweetapple, produced using Suno AI covers as part of the creative process. The songs combine traditional songwriting with modern production methods, making them part of a growing movement where composers use AI as a tool while retaining creative authorship.

Will you ever perform these songs live?

Yes. Although many recordings begin with AI-assisted production, the goal is to perform the songs with real musicians. The compositions themselves are original songs written in a traditional way, so they can easily be played live by a band. The long-term ambition is to bring The Radiation’s music onto a stage and show how modern music created with tools like Suno AI covers can still become energetic and authentic live performances.

What other musical projects have you worked on?

Many listeners know Sweetapple’s work through Rockford’s Rock Opera. That project includes more than forty original songs created for a series of musical adventure stories about the island of Infinity, home to the last of every extinct species. Those recordings were produced entirely without AI and recorded at home in Barnet, London, England. Together with The Radiation and The Skyscrapers, they show a range of  both traditional music production and modern AI-assisted songwriting techniques.

Are there drawbacks to using Suno AI covers?

Yes. AI music tools are still developing and creating a finished recording takes work. The process (or certainly the one employed here) is not simply pressing a button. Each track begins with an original song and lyric, then requires multiple prompts, edits, and refinements before the result feels right. Audio quality can also be limited because Suno currently produces compressed files rather than studio-grade masters. Suno also has problems with some chord sequences – it prefers less exotic chord patterns which is a real shame and can be a limitation. Despite these limits, many modern music creators find the technology valuable for developing ideas and exploring new arrangements.

What advice would you give songwriters using AI tools?

Keep your own songwriting at the centre of what yo do. Start with your own ideas, melodies, and lyrics. AI tools such as Suno are most rewarding when they support an original composition rather than replace it. Experiment widely, try different arrangements, and treat AI like another instrument in the studio. In my experience, the strongest results always come from a clear human vision guiding the technology. Modern music still depends on the imagination and instincts of the songwriter.

What are your thoughts on AI being trained on existing music?

This is a complex issue and many musicians are debating it. Songwriters have always learned by listening to other artists and experimenting with similar ideas. AI training raises similar questions but at a much larger scale. It is  vitally important that musicians are treated fairly and rewarded properly for their work and inspiration. One possible solution might be that all AI-generated music royalties contribute to a shared fund for real artists, ensuring the wider musical community benefits from the technology. As The Radiation I certainly acknowledge the fact that I’m using technology trained on other people’s music, ideas and livelihoods. It brilliant to be collaborating with all this talent. BUT that has to be recognised and compensated just as have the pure human talents of songwriting, performing and recording must to protected. I’d sign up tomorrow if there was a way to do this.

Does using AI make the songs less original?

Not necessarily, but if generated as AI SLOP it certainly can. The originality of a song usually comes from its melody and lyrics which can still be retained by the songwriter even when using AI. In The Radiation, AI tools mainly help with arrangement and performance. In this sense they function like studio musicians or digital instruments. When used ‘responsibly’, AI does not replace creativity but extends it. Many modern composers see AI-assisted production as another stage in the long history of music technology.

How long does it take to create a finished AI-assisted song?

Creating a finished track often takes many days. Quite apart from writing the song – words, tune and chords in my case – the songwriter may generate multiple AI versions of a song, adjust prompts, edit sections, and refine the sound before reaching a final result. The process is closer to producing a traditional recording than simply generating a quick AI output as it can involve a lot of DAW editing away from Suno (I use Logic). The goal is always to capture the feel of the original song while using AI tools and the DAW to build the best arrangement.

Why are AI tools becoming popular with songwriters?

AI tools give composers a reapid way to hear their ideas performed. Instead of imagining how a song might sound with a band, they can generate versions quickly and adjust them. This speeds up experimentation and allows writers to explore different genres or vocal styles. For many modern music creators, AI tools are simply another instrument that helps bring original songs to life.

Are AI-generated recordings replacing musicians?

This is an ongoing discussion in the music industry. Many songwriters see AI as a creative tool rather than a replacement for musicians. In projects like The Radiation, the songs begin with traditional songwriting. AI is then used to help arrange or demo the track. Live performance, studio musicians, and human collaboration remain central to music. Many artists believe the future will combine human creativity with new technology. There is still something unique an irreplaceable about human performance, especially when experienced and shared live. I still hope to experience that but with these songs born with technology… and that’s not really that much different to how musician’s have used computers and samples to make music. And which they’ve been doing for many, many years.

Can AI help songwriters experiment with different genres?

Yes. One advantage of Suno AI covers is the ability to test the same original song in many musical styles. A track might be explored as rock, electronic, folk, or orchestral without recording multiple bands. This can help songwriters refine ideas and discover arrangements they may not have considered before. For creative experimentation in modern music, AI tools can open new possibilities.

Is AI-assisted songwriting the future of music?

It is likely to become one of many ways songs are produced, rather than replacing traditional music making. Throughout history, new technologies such as synthesisers, multitrack recording, and digital audio workstations have changed how music is created. AI tools are simply the latest step. The most important element remains the same: strong original songs written by imaginative songwriters.