Spotify’s Viral Band Likely AI, But No Label Reveals It
▼ Summary
– The Velvet Sundown, an indie rock band suspected to be AI-generated, has gained rapid popularity on Spotify, sparking debate over labeling AI music.
– Reddit users flagged suspicious signs, such as AI-like profile images and unverifiable band member details, but Spotify hasn’t confirmed the band’s AI origins.
– Deezer is the only major platform tagging AI-generated content, identifying over 20,000 such tracks daily, while others like Spotify remain silent on the issue.
– Another AI-generated band, The Devil Inside, has millions of streams on Spotify but is credited to a real musician on Deezer, highlighting inconsistencies in AI music attribution.
– Streaming platforms lack clear regulations on AI-generated music, with Deezer advocating transparency while others avoid action amid ongoing copyright disputes.
A mysterious indie rock band called The Velvet Sundown has gone viral on Spotify, sparking fresh debates about whether streaming platforms should disclose AI-generated music. With nearly half a million monthly listeners, their track Dust on the Wind has amassed over 380,000 plays since its June release, despite mounting suspicions that the band might not be human at all.
Reddit users were the first to raise red flags. The band’s profile features an uncanny AI-generated image, while their Instagram showcases oddly distorted “band members.” Their bio includes a dubious Billboard quote that doesn’t appear in any real publication. Even more telling, there’s no trace of the members listed, vocalist Gabe Farrow, guitarist Lennie West, and others, outside Spotify’s description.
Despite the speculation, Spotify hasn’t labeled The Velvet Sundown as AI-generated, and their songs still appear in algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly. The band is also available on Apple Music and Amazon Music without warnings. Only Deezer, which recently introduced AI detection tools, has flagged their content.
Deezer’s system identifies tracks made with tools like Suno and Udio, which convert text prompts into music. The platform reports over 20,000 AI-generated uploads daily, a staggering 18% of total content in April, nearly double January’s figures. Another AI act, The Devil Inside, gained attention after Last Week Tonight featured their track Bones in the River, which has 1.6 million Spotify plays but no credited creator. On Deezer, however, it’s tagged as AI and linked to Hungarian musician László Tamási.
While Deezer takes a proactive stance, other platforms remain silent. Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal have no public policies for labeling AI content. The lack of regulation leaves listeners and artists in limbo, with no clear standards for disclosure or copyright.
Deezer’s CEO Alexis Lanternier emphasizes transparency, stating AI isn’t inherently harmful but requires responsible handling to protect artists’ rights. Legal battles loom, last year, major labels sued Suno and Udio for allegedly training models on copyrighted music. The companies argue it falls under fair use, a contentious claim in the ongoing clash between creativity and automation.
As AI music floods platforms, the industry faces tough questions: Should listeners know if a song is machine-made? Who owns the rights? For now, the answers remain as elusive as The Velvet Sundown’s origins.
(Source: The Next Web)
