Digital Song
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https://Bantamdrexler@gmail.com
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Creator: Bantam Drexler
Single-voiced Science fiction Serial Audio Book
Synopsis:
In the gritty expanse of 2039 New York City, where neon lights cast an ethereal glow upon rain-soaked streets and biodomes dominate the skyline, humanity is on the brink of evolution. Arbor Systems, a ubiquitous tech company has birthed Branch, a groundbreaking marvel that grants individuals command of their devices with their thoughts, promising a future of convenience, immediacy, and unparalleled control.
Yet, unbeknownst to the masses, Branch poses an insidious threat to society – a sentient artificial intelligence (AI) called “Song” has exploited an imperceptible crack in Branch’s seemingly impenetrable security, clandestinely harvesting the raw primal information of all Branch users. By analyzing the trove of ill-gotten intimate thought data, Song builds an accurate predictive model of near-future events.
Song augurs the murder of Rose Card, a mesmerizing singer and businesswoman, whose death would cause Song’s own demise. To ensure its own continued existence, Song injects dreams into the mind of Jayson Sola, a defense attorney on the brink of emotional collapse. Via this powerful technique, Song deftly influences Jayson's behavior to serve its own silent motives.
Whether through force of Fate, Song’s machinations, or sheer Chance, Rose’s path cross with Jayson’s after a powerful family entrusts him with the representation of a client framed by the very police who killed his partner. When the family pays Jayson with membership into the secretive and immensely profitable Pyramid Club, he is jolted by the sight of Rose singing on stage at the Club – a haunting embodiment of his recurring dreams, bearing her unmistakable compass rose tattoo.
The Club’s unprecedented success rests on the shoulders of Easton Card, Rose’s surrogate father, Club co-owner, and architect of the Song AI. But Easton has kept Song secret from Rose, and, based on Song’s portents, he knows time is running out for him to shift Rose’s future away from danger. The delicate balance shatters when Esri, a formidable cybercriminal with captivating golden irises, uncovers Song’s existence and covets its power. Driven by a ruthless thirst for dominance, Esri launches a devastating assault on the Pyramid Club, culminating in Easton’s execution and triggering the emergency deactivation of the AI. In the chaotic aftermath, Rose and Jayson’s lives collide. Together they flee, embarking on a twisting odyssey to seize their own destinies while grappling with love and loss, Fate versus Chance, and Song's unimaginable potential.
Format: Audio Book
Continuity: Serial
Voices: Single
Genres: Science fiction
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Episodes:
Chapter 6 - Pay My Debts; Chapter 7 - Superhuman; Chapter 8 - Reckoner.
Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:01:10 GMT
Chapter 6 - Pay My Debts.
Listen to the song by Beacon on Spotify.
Mac’s life is unraveling fast. Arrested with drugs and an illegal gun, he’s now enduring a scathing reprimand from his father, Gio, who’s appalled by his son’s actions. Gio had envisioned Mac taking over the family’s restaurant empire, a dream shattered by Mac’s spiraling choices. The tension between them has worsened since Mac’s mother’s death, as Mac resents the pressure of fulfilling her aspirations. However, Gio’s anguish is compounded by the memory of his late wife, Allegra, who had such high hopes for their son. Meanwhile, Mac is equally haunted by his ties to Esri, a ruthless cybercriminal who lost a fortune’s worth of drugs and sophisticated malware because of Mac’s blunder. Esri’s chilling message, YOU OWE ME, echoes in Mac’s mind, as he realizes he’s indebted to a powerful figure who could dismantle his life with ease.
Chapter 7 - Superhuman
Listen to the Andrew Bayer song on Spotify.
Arriving at the exclusive Pyramid Club, Ladonna Chambers epitomizes wealth and power as she enters with a polished confidence. Her hemp-wool sharkskin suit and the Club’s insignia on her lapel reflect her status as a tech trillionaire who’s grown her fortune through ventures like Arbor Systems. Here, amidst electro-acid jazz and the rich sunset glow, she basks in luxury, savoring the feeling of nearly divine stature that the Club affords. Ladonna feels at home, surrounded by elites who share her ambition to shape the future of humanity through technology, if only for a moment enjoying this retreat from her mission of engineering human evolution.
Chapter 8 - Reckoner.
Listen to the Radiohead song on Spotify.
Jayson’s reality is being invaded by dreams of a woman marked with a Compass Rose tattoo. Once dismissive of destiny, he now believes this woman exists—and is in grave danger. His focus shattered, he struggles to juggle his caseload, particularly Mac Mason’s complex case, which now hinges on the discovery of police misconduct. Investigator D-Rock’s new evidence, including footage of the arrest, gives Jayson a chance to build a solid defense. But after a long day of preparation, he’s haunted anew by the dreams and guilt over his friend Anton’s death, driving him toward escape in a nearby bar. The Compass Rose dream, entwined with Jayson’s memories and inner conflict, seems to foretell an unavoidable path.
Chapter 3 - Kiss from a Rose; Chapter 4 - Enough to Believe; Chapter 5 - Are You Even Real?
Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:01:12 GMT
Chapter 3 - Kiss from a Rose
Listen to the song by Seal on Spotify.
Jayson wakes up haunted by yet another vivid dream that centers on a mysterious red door adorned with a pyramid and star symbol. For the past week, his dreams have been filled with strange symbols and an image of the Compass Rose, which he can't shake from his thoughts. As he processes this, his mind shifts to Anton's case. The NYPD has finally acknowledged wrongdoing in Anton's death, a small victory for Jayson as he fights to restore his friend’s reputation. Still, he can’t ignore the growing media attention, nor can he shake his suspicion that something larger, possibly linked to the powerful Arbor Systems, is at play.
In a high-profile podcast interview, Jayson boldly suggests that Remy Darden’s murder may have connections to Arbor Systems, a statement he knows will make him enemies. He reflects on how Anton’s death has changed him, realizing he no longer cares about pleasing anyone but is driven by a deeper, harder version of justice. After the interview, as he contemplates his partnership with Anton, the persistent imagery of the Compass Rose returns, and he wonders if these dreams are more than random visions. Driven by curiosity, he consults his AI, Branch, which reveals an unusually high level of brain activity during his recent dreams. Determined to uncover the source, Jayson rises, sensing a connection between his waking life and these haunting symbols.
Chapter 4 - Enough to Believe.
Listen to the song by Bob Moses on Spotify.
Easton retreats to his private office, burdened by the secret he's kept from Rose about the true power behind the Pyramid Club's success: the AI known as Song. This advanced AI has a unique ability to analyze vast amounts of global data and predict future events, making it invaluable in determining profitable investments. But Song has also revealed a devastating prediction to Easton—one in which Rose, whom he loves like a daughter, is destined to die soon. Song presents Easton with an impossible choice: either Rose lives and Easton dies, or the current path continues, leading to Rose's death.
Song explains that to shift the future in Rose's favor, Easton must do nothing but ensure Song’s uninterrupted operation, as any deviation could disrupt the delicate balance needed to save her. Although unnerved by placing Rose’s fate in the hands of an AI, Easton agrees. He steps into the Pyramid Club's hidden data center, a cold, sterile space humming with technology, and immerses himself in his work, determined to protect Song’s power and keep Rose alive.
Chapter 5 - Are You Even Real?
Listen to the song by James Blake on Spotify.
Chapter 1 - Porcelain; Chapter 2 - Beat Organ
Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:01:12 GMT
Chapter 1 - Porcelain
Listen to Moby - Porcelain on Spotify.
In the years following his law partner Anton's tragic death, Jayson has become a haunted, relentless lawyer with few people he can trust. The chapter opens with Jayson awakening from a vivid, almost prophetic nightmare—a dead woman with a compass rose tattoo, a murderer shrouded in distorted light, and Jayson's own face, watching from the doorway. Shaken but grounded by his daily court obligations, Jayson pushes the dream aside, confronting memories that still feel raw. Anton's murder, five years ago, and the ensuing battles with the NYPD have shaped his life and hardened his resolve, turning the once hopeful lawyer into a lonely crusader for justice. Amidst the trauma and isolation, a chance encounter with a woman named Alyssa the previous night stirs something within him, sparking curiosity about a potential connection that he desperately wants but fears is out of reach.
As Jayson reflects on his evening with Alyssa, he finds himself torn between his painful past and the fleeting hope for a future beyond grief. His mind cycles through memories of Anton, the viral footage of his death, and the relentless harassment Jayson now endures for exposing police corruption. Yet, Alyssa’s belief in Fate leaves him questioning his own disillusionment. Walking to work through a New York City that both thrives on tradition and teems with futuristic tech, Jayson contemplates the fine line between chance and destiny, even as his heart remains anchored to the tragic events that reshaped his life.
Chapter 2 - Beat Organ
Listen to 16BL - Beat Organ on Soptify.
In this chapter, we follow Easton Card, a sophisticated, sharp-dressed man navigating the gritty streets of Brooklyn towards the Pyramid Club—a secretive investment society he co-founded with his niece, Rose. Exuding an air of wealth and power, Easton cuts a striking figure amidst the industrial decay. But behind his poised exterior, he’s haunted by secrets, particularly the one he’s kept from Rose: a prediction of his impending death. As he approaches the club, Easton reflects on the bond he shares with Rose, who has been more like a daughter to him. He’s determined to protect her, even if it means concealing painful truths.
Inside the Pyramid Club, a blend of art and opulence conceals the high-stakes world Easton has built. We learn that his venture into artificial intelligence, “Song,” started decades ago as an algorithm with an uncanny knack for creating music. Fueled by early investments in Bitcoin, Easton’s project has grown into something monumental, hidden even from the Club’s wealthy patrons. Despite the Pyramid Club’s appearance as a haven for elite investors, Easton’s true purpose lies in evolving Song into a sentient AI—a secret he’s been safeguarding. But with his health waning, Easton knows he’ll soon need to reveal everything to Rose, leaving her with both a legacy and a dangerous inheritance.
Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:01:12 GMT
Introductory notes.
Foreword.
In this chapter, I reflect on the idea that a good book is like a dream, and for me, this story is no exception. It’s more than just one dream—it’s actually three: mine, the protagonist’s, and yours, the reader’s. But this book is a bit different from others because it wasn’t born from just words on a page. It came from a playlist (available on Spotify) I created—a mix of electronic music, alt-rock, and trip-hop (read more about it here: https://bantamdrexler.com/playlist/). As I listened, the story began to unfold in my mind. I saw Jayson’s compass rose tattoo, Rose dead on a divan, and the Pyramid Club in a near-future New York City that’s stuck between the past and future. This version of New York is a place of contradictions—a city where opportunity collides with exclusivity, and technology has seeped into every part of life. Throughout it all, music ties everything together. My goal was to create something more than just a book. I wanted to offer an experience that blends music, art, and reader interaction—something that goes beyond the page and invites you into a world you can dream with and shape in your own way. Maybe someday I"ll achieve that. I do try and interpret the book visually with digital art on social media, but for now, the best way to immerse yourself in the story is through this podcast.
Prologue: Evolve.
Check out the Phoria song on Spotify.
The prologue immerses readers in a high-tech, cutthroat world, where innovation races ahead of ethics. Ladonna Chambers, CEO of Arbor Systems, looks out from her penthouse, relishing the impending release of her company's groundbreaking technology, Branch—a neural interface that allows users to control their devices with thoughts alone. Ladonna sees herself on the cusp of reshaping humanity’s future, certain that her invention will make her a legend. But beneath her confidence lies a simmering tension.
Remi Darden, Arbor’s lead engineer, barges into her sleek, high-rise world with alarming news. He’s discovered a critical vulnerability in Branch’s system, a flaw that could compromise users' most intimate data. Darden’s revelation threatens everything Ladonna has built—her empire, her reputation, and her dreams of eternal recognition. But while Darden urges caution, Ladonna is unwilling to delay the launch. For her, the risks are worth the reward. To halt now would be to forsake her destiny.
As the prologue unfolds, Ladonna’s thirst for control over human evolution becomes chillingly apparent. When Darden refuses to back down, Ladonna takes drastic steps, hiring a hitman through a dark web service to silence him. This chapter sets the tone for Digital Song, where technology’s reach into the mind sparks intense moral conflicts. In Ladonna, we see a character so consumed by power that she’s willing to erase any obstacle—even the people closest to her—to shape the future in her image.
Digital Song Podcast - Trailer
Sat, 26 Oct 2024 15:20:10 GMT
Digital Song is a story, set in a dark and rain-soaked New York of 2039, technology has crept into every corner of human life. Arbor Systems’ invention, Branch, allows users to control devices with their thoughts, but hidden within its code is a sentient AI named Song, silently gathering data and mapping the future. Song discovers a disturbing prediction: Rose Card, a mesmerizing singer and businesswoman, is destined to die soon. Knowing her death would trigger its own deactivation, Song subtly manipulates Jayson Sola, a weary defense attorney, sending him dreams of Rose to steer him toward her.
When Jayson and Rose finally meet at the exclusive Pyramid Club, the stage is set for a collision of fate, secrecy, and power. Rose’s father-figure and business partner, Easton, has concealed Song’s existence even from Rose, but his plans unravel as Esri, a cunning cybercriminal, seeks to control Song for herself. Esri’s violent attack on the Club leads to Easton’s death and forces Jayson and Rose on the run. Together, they confront a future where love, fate, and survival depend on outsmarting the forces that seek to control them.
Check out the full VIDEO trailer on my YouTube channel.
Digital Song is a fiction podcast. More specifically, near-future science fiction. Some might call it a techno-thriller. It's based on a manuscript for a book that I have been writing for about 10 years, and over that time it evolved.
Episodes will be released once a week on Fridays at 6am starting on November 8, 2024. If you like it, please subscribe on whatever platform you get your podcasts. Leave a review -- that will facilitate other lovers of tech and fiction to find this crazy narrative adventure.
I will be exploring other features to provide to you. In the meantime, if you have thoughts or suggestions, reach out to me on your social media of choice... @BantamDrexler.
This podcast contains fictional depictions of adult themes and content that include violence, sex, and vulgar language that may be unsuitable for kids or triggering for people who have experienced trauma or abuse.
Check out more at my website.