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Indie Artists Continue Spotify Exodus, Citing CEO’s Defense Investments – A growing number of autonomous musicians are removing their music from Spotify in protest of the platform’s CEO, daniel ek, and his venture capital firm’s investments in the defense industry. The latest to pull their catalog is Hotline TNT, joining Godspeed You! Black Emperor, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu, and Deerhoof in a widening exhibition against the streaming giant.
Hotline TNT frontman Will Anderson stated, “The company that bills itself as the steward of all recorded music has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that it does not align with the band’s values in any way.” He concluded with a call to action: “A cooler world is absolutely possible.” The move underscores a growing ethical dilemma for artists navigating the complexities of streaming revenue versus personal principles.
The core of the dispute centers on Ek’s venture capital fund,Prima Materia. Since 2021, Prima Materia has been investing in Helsing, a defense technology company. Reports indicate Helsing develops software utilizing artificial intelligence to aid in military decision-making. King Gizzard, Xiu Xiu, and Deerhoof specifically cited these investments as the reason for their departures from Spotify. Godspeed You! black Emperor took the most drastic step, removing their music from all major streaming services.
Hotline TNT recently released their album Raspberry moon, which they are currently supporting with a tour. The band is actively seeking choice revenue streams and direct engagement with fans.On September 5, they will host a 24-hour ”telethon” across Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram, aiming to sell 500 copies of Raspberry Moon through Bandcamp. The event will also feature conversations with artists, journalists, record store owners, and others about music finding and perspectives on Spotify.
This wave of removals highlights a broader debate about the ethics of platform capitalism and the responsibilities of tech executives.For many artists, the financial benefits of spotify are increasingly weighed against concerns about the company’s broader impact and the values it represents. Further reading on the challenges of streaming’s economic model can be found in Jeremy D. Larson’s feature “
