“School’s In,” helping students learn faster and easier!

“School’s In,” helping students learn faster and easier!

Anthony@TheTampaPost.com

What inspired you to create “School’s In,” especially with an AI-generated approach, and how does it connect with your overall mission of helping students learn faster and easier?

I recall back when I was a young student myself, I rarely looked forward to summer ending and school starting. So, I wanted to create something that would highlight all the positive aspects of returning to school such as catching up with your friends, learning cool new stuff, increasing your skills and knowledge, gaining a sense of pride in overcoming challenges, and engaging in activities that were both fun and help a young person grow.

That’s a wonderful motivation, Matt! It’s clear you wanted to shift the focus from the end of summer to the exciting opportunities that a new school year brings. Could you tell me more about the creative process behind “School’s In”? How did you blend your ideas with AI technology to craft the lyrics and music? What was it like working with AI in this creative capacity?

In my late 60’s I created a YouTube channel called “Be Smarter Faster” where I publish strategies and techniques that enable a student of any age, including adults, to be able to learn things faster and easier than they ever dreamed possible. In my continuing efforts to “practice what I preach” I decided to become proficient at creating various kinds of content using AI. Having been a musician from an early age, I wanted to also see what I could create using this most modern of tools. It took a fair number of failed attempts before I was able to finally create something I felt was worthy of promoting to the public.
Interviewer

It’s impressive that you’ve applied your philosophy of continuous learning and growth to mastering AI technology, especially in a creative field like music. With “School’s In,” you’re blending your expertise in education with your musical background, which is quite unique. The title “School’s In” is a clever nod to Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out.” How do you think your song will resonate with today’s students compared to the impact “School’s Out” had back in the ’70s?

Being that I’m now 72 years old, Alice Cooper’s classic rock song Schools Out was very popular back when I was a college student myself. Of course the message in that song was how happy people were that school is over for the year, it would be wonderful if today’s students like this positive message and use it to motivate themselves.

It’s a refreshing take, for sure, and a great way to bring a positive spin to the start of the school year. What specific message do you hope students will take away from listening to “School’s In”? How do you see this song fitting into the broader conversation about education and motivation in today’s world, especially considering the challenges students face now?

“School’s In” is the opening number on my forthcoming 10-song album titled “LEARNING MACHINE”. It’s all up-beat music that motivates. It should be available on all the major platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music, later this month. The lyrics are essentially positive affirmations that put a person in the right mental frame to have confidence in themselves, and look forward to the challenges and rewards of increasing their knowledge. Some of the other song titles are “I Believe In Myself”, “Get My Study On”, “The Will To Win”, and the title track “Learning Machine”. The intention is that a person can motivate themselves and stay inspired through difficult situations by visualizing positive outcomes. Singing along can produce even better results than reciting affirmations. They can become someone’s personal theme song.

That sounds like a powerful collection of motivational music! I love the idea of turning positive affirmations into catchy, memorable songs that can inspire students to stay focused and confident. Who are “Zed Maestro and the Hot Bots”? Could you share more about the concept behind this stage name and how it reflects the energy and message of the song and album?

For the past several decades I have performed as a rock keyboard player under the stage name Zed Maestro. I’ve been fortunate to have been on the bill with many notable acts spanning several musical genres such as George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Cypress Hill, Black Flag, LA Gunns, The Wailers, Everlast, Rikki Jai, Method Man and Red Man, and more. Since I’m now using AI, I thought I’d be cheeky and give the bots their due credit. Hence the name “Zed Maestro and the Hot Bots”.

That’s an amazing background, Matt, and it’s fantastic that you’ve found a way to blend your rich musical history with cutting-edge technology. It’s clear that “Zed Maestro and the Hot Bots” is a playful yet fitting name for this project. As the song is timed with the opening of schools, do you have any specific plans for its release? Will there be any accompanying events, videos, or promotions to help get the word out and engage with your audience?

Currently, I’m learning how to create music videos with AI. I don’t have any completed yet, but am striving to complete some before the end of the month. Of course I’m doing interviews and press releases, am a guest on several podcasts, and will be talking about it on my YouTube channel, as well as doing what I can to promote the release on various social media sites. I also have a site where people can get free audio samples of each of the 10 tracks on my forthcoming album prior to the release. https://zedmaestro.hearnow.com

It sounds like you’ve got a solid plan to build excitement around the release of “School’s In” and the entire “LEARNING MACHINE” album. Between AI-generated music videos, interviews, podcasts, and social media promotions, you’re covering a lot of ground. As you’re sharing these tracks and getting feedback, how do you see “School’s In” contributing to your legacy as an educator and motivational figure? What role do you envision it playing in the lives of students as they embark on a new school year?

I’m happy you used the word “Legacy”. Because I’m in my 70’s, that’s become much more important to me. I’m on a personal mission to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of students, of ALL ages, around the world. I think that in addition to the books I’ve written, which are available on Amazon, the videos I publish on my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/BeSmarterFaster, and the courses I’ve created, that music provides an additional, exciting, and perhaps a more lasting way to fulfill that mission.
Interviewer

Thank you for sharing all this insight, Matt. I think we’ve gathered some rich material for the article.

Zed Maestro and the Hot Bots Release Uplifting New Single “School’s In” to Kick Off the School Year

August 2024 – As students across the nation gear up for a new school year, Zed Maestro and the Hot Bots are set to release their energizing new single, “School’s In,” designed to inspire and motivate learners of all ages. The track is the first release from the forthcoming album “LEARNING MACHINE,” which promises to bring a fresh, upbeat approach to the challenges and rewards of education.

“School’s In” is a modern, AI-generated anthem that encourages students to look forward to returning to school, reconnecting with friends, and embracing the opportunities to learn and grow. The song is a nod to the classic 1970s hit “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper but flips the message, focusing on the excitement and positive aspects of a new academic year.

A Legacy of Learning

At 72, Matt DiMaio, the mind behind Zed Maestro, is no stranger to the educational landscape. As the creator of the popular YouTube channel “Be Smarter Faster,” Matt has dedicated decades to teaching students how to learn more effectively. His new album “LEARNING MACHINE,” featuring tracks like “I Believe In Myself”, “Get My Study On,” and “The Will To Win” aims to provide listeners with the confidence and motivation to tackle their studies with a positive mindset.

“I’m on a personal mission to make a positive, lasting difference in the lives of students, of ALL ages, around the world,” Matt shares. “Music offers an exciting and lasting way to fulfill that mission, in addition to the books, videos, and courses I’ve created.”

A New Frontier in Music and Motivation

In “School’s In,” Zed Maestro (Matt DiMaio) blends his extensive musical background with the latest AI technology to create a sound that is both contemporary and inspiring. The song reflects Matt’s philosophy of continuous growth and learning, showing that even in his 70s, he’s still mastering new skills and technologies.

“Having been a musician from an early age, I wanted to see what I could create using this most modern of tools,” Matt explains. “It took a fair number of failed attempts, but I finally created something I felt was worthy of promoting to the public.”

Looking Ahead

While the album “LEARNING MACHINE” is set to be available on major platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music later this month, fans can already get a taste of what’s to come. Free audio samples of each track are available at https://zedmaestro.hearnow.com

“School’s In,” helping students learn faster and easier!

Anthony@TheTampaPost.com