Indie rock band Deerhoof has announced they are removing their music from Spotify. The decision comes after learning that Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invested $700 million in Helsing, a European defense company that develops AI software for warfare. In a statement posted on social media, Deerhoof said, “We don’t want our music killing people.
We don’t want our success being tied to AI battle tech.” The band acknowledged their privileged position in being able to make this decision, as they earn more from touring than streaming revenue. Deerhoof’s record label, Joyful Noise Recordings, supports the band’s move. The label expressed their own discomfort with unintentionally contributing to the global war machine through their association with Spotify.
The band’s full statement elaborated on their stance against profit-driven AI military technology and its dehumanizing consequences.
Deerhoof’s stance on Spotify decision
They criticized the billionaire class for using the military as their security detail and accused the AI military tech sector of testing its products on civilians in Gaza.
Deerhoof also labeled Spotify as an “already widely hated data-mining scam masquerading as a ‘music company.'” They argued that the platform’s supposed benefit of making music discoverable to anyone is not worth the price of letting oligarchs fill the world with computerized weaponry. The band emphasized, “We aren’t capitalists, and don’t wish to take over the world. Especially if the price of ‘discoverability’ is letting oligarchs fill the globe with computerized weaponry, we’re going to pass on the supposed benefits.”
Deerhoof thanked their labels for supporting this decision, acknowledging the logistical and financial impact of pulling their content from Spotify.
As the band moves forward, they continue to challenge the broader politico-economic system and hope more artists and users will reconsider their relationships with platforms engaged in questionable ethical practices. Formed in 1994, Deerhoof has released over 20 albums. Though no longer based in San Francisco, the band members reside across various parts of the country.
They recently performed in San Francisco last month and are currently on tour promoting their latest album, “Noble and Godlike Ruin.”
