Indie psych rock band The Velvet Sundown has amassed over 850,000 Spotify listeners in just weeks, sparking debate about its authenticity. The band claims to be “Saving Modern Rock,” but music industry veterans are skeptical due to suspiciously perfect production quality and lack of transparency.
Several music streaming platforms, including Deezer, have identified The Velvet Sundown’s tracks as 100% AI-generated. CEO Alexis Lanternier acknowledges that while AI-generated content can provide value, royalties should be allocated differently to compensate human artists. Suno, a generative AI music creation program, also declined to comment on its potential connection to The Velvet Sundown.
The rise of AI-powered music creation has raised concerns among artists who worry about the devaluation of their human work and the proliferation of low-quality “slop.” Some point out similarities between The Velvet Sundown’s style and that of another band, Velvet Meadow. Grammy-winning producer Timbaland launched an AI artist named TaTa with his entertainment company, but critics argue that this is a form of artistic exploitation.
As the music industry grapples with the implications of AI-generated content, some argue that streaming platforms should prioritize supporting real artists and ensuring they can make enough royalties to continue creating music. Others believe that AI-powered creation can enhance the user experience, as long as proper compensation is given to human creators.
The debate surrounding The Velvet Sundown’s authenticity serves as a microcosm of the broader conversation about the role of technology in modern music production.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/the-velvet-sundown-indie-band-spotify-ai-accusations-speculation-rcna216728