DEERHOOF Removes Music From Spotify Over “AI Battle Tech”
The experimental indie rock pioneers yank their music from the parasitic streaming service over their investments in dangerous surveillance and military tech
One of the most consistently innovative and principled music groups of all time are in the process of separating themselves from one of the most exploitative, dubious, and outright insidious “media” companies currently operating.
Beyond their tremendous artistic output, the Instagram accounts of Deerhoof and drummer/founder, Greg Saunier are worth following for any anti-imperialist that appreciates updates and perspective regarding the state of our world and what threatens the moral core of humanity, our environment, and genuine liberation. The band doesn’t mince words, and, time and time again, they have proven that they are more than willing to back them up with actions.
Earlier this year, when Deerhoof announced their 20th LP, Nobile And Godlike In Ruin, the band opted to employ the unorthodox method of embedding links in various Craigslist ads local to where each of the 4 respective members currently reside in the country. At the time, Saunier explained that they had “decided to premiere the lead single ‘Immigrant Songs’ on the nice and non-nazi tech platform of Craigslist.” For them, the gesture was a way for the groundbreaking indie group to “throw a finger up to the tech platforms that care only about data mining & the expansion of fascism.”
It isn’t news that Spotify is a parasitic entity monetizing the talents of creatives without proper compensation, but as of late, they are undermining artists further by platforming completely fake AI music projects. Clearly, the work of real artists is used to train AI in the creation of their direct competition. If that isn’t vile enough, Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek is now heavily invested and integrated in the world of AI battle tech, assisting in the acceleration and lethality of genocide, militarized police, and the surveillance state. Deerhoof isn’t having it.
Scroll through to the IG post to read their detailed announcement about leaving Spotify in full. To lighten things up, they also captioned their post with a satirical endorsement of another problematic company. Check all of that out below.