Meet the Velvet Sundown: The AI ‘Band’ That’s Redefining Music as a Provocative Experiment

In a recent update, the AI ‘band’ The Velvet Sundown described themselves as “an ongoing artistic provocation.” This comes after they gained over 900,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and openly confirmed what many suspected: their music is created by artificial intelligence.

The Velvet Sundown’s bio now reads, “This isn’t a trick — it’s a mirror. An ongoing artistic provocation designed to challenge the boundaries of authorship, identity, and the future of music in the age of AI.” Their music has sparked discussions about what it means to create art and who gets to be called an artist.

The band went viral when they suddenly appeared on Spotify in June, landing on popular playlists. They’ve even inspired hoaxes. An individual named Andrew Frelon claimed to be their spokesperson, fooling several media outlets, including a phone interview with Rolling Stone. He later revealed that his goal was to test how the media reacts to such situations.

The new Spotify bio mentions, “All characters, stories, music, voices, and lyrics are original creations generated with AI tools.” They further clarify that any resemblance to real-life events or people is purely coincidental. This idea of being “not quite human, not quite machine” raises intriguing questions about the essence of creativity.

Glenn McDonald, a former Spotify “data alchemist,” shared insights about their success. He noted that Spotify now allows payments to enhance playlist placements and is increasingly reliant on algorithms to select songs. This shift could mean that AI-generated music may become a common feature, reshaping how we discover new sounds.

Moreover, data from recent studies highlights a growing interest in AI’s role in music. For instance, a survey by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry revealed that 30% of music consumers are open to AI-generated music. This suggests a shift in how audiences perceive authenticity and creativity in art.

As the music landscape continues to evolve, bands like The Velvet Sundown challenge traditional notions of artistry. While some embrace this innovation, others may remain skeptical. The conversation is far from over, and many are curious to see where this blend of technology and creativity will lead.

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