A band known as The Velvet Sundown has rapidly ascended the streaming charts, achieving significant viral success on platforms like Spotify. Their track, “Dust on the Wind,” released in June, has garnered over 500,000 plays and propelled the group to over 600,000 monthly listeners. This sudden popularity, however, has been met with skepticism, sparking a debate about the band’s authenticity and the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in music creation.
Origins of the Controversy
The surge in popularity for The Velvet Sundown first drew attention online, particularly among users on the social platform Reddit. These users began to raise suspicions that the band might be an AI-generated entity rather than a traditional human group. The speculation quickly spread and was subsequently reported by various media outlets, amplifying the debate across the music industry and fan communities.
The basis for these accusations stems from several observations. Critics point to the band’s profile and promotional photos, which some describe as having characteristics often associated with AI-generated imagery. The band’s Instagram account features a collection of images that are reportedly distorted or contain visual anomalies. Furthermore, the band’s official biography purportedly included a quote attributed to Billboard magazine, which some have alleged is entirely fabricated. Adding to the skepticism is a perceived lack of verifiable online presence or history for the members listed: Gabe Farrow, Lennie West, Milo Rains/Raines, and Orion ‘Rio’ Del Mar.
The Band’s Strong Denial
In response to the growing chorus of accusations, The Velvet Sundown has issued a forceful denial. Utilizing their official X (formerly Twitter) account, the band directly addressed the claims. In a series of posts, they labeled the theories being reported by journalists and circulating online as “lazy, baseless theory.” They asserted unequivocally that their music is “100% human-made,” pushing back against the narrative that their sound or identity is a product of generative AI.
Streaming Platforms Take Differing Stances
The controversy surrounding The Velvet Sundown has also highlighted inconsistencies in how major streaming platforms address potential AI-generated content. As of reporting, major services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music have not publicly flagged or labeled The Velvet Sundown’s content as being AI-generated.
However, the French streaming service Deezer has taken a different approach. Deezer reportedly flagged the band’s tracks using its internal AI detection tools. According to reports, Deezer’s analysis indicated that the music was likely created by generative models, specifically mentioning tools like Suno or Udio, which are known for their capabilities in generating music from text prompts or other inputs.
This divergence among platforms underscores the current lack of a unified standard for identifying, labeling, and handling music created with the assistance of or entirely by artificial intelligence. It raises questions about the role and responsibility of these platforms in ensuring transparency for listeners and artists alike.
Broader Implications for the Music Industry
The case of The Velvet Sundown serves as a high-profile example of the complex challenges emerging technologies pose to the music landscape. The rapid advancement of generative AI tools capable of creating sophisticated musical compositions and sounds blurs the lines between human artistry and algorithmic creation.
This controversy fuels an ongoing and critical debate within the music industry. Stakeholders are grappling with issues surrounding authorship, copyright, compensation for artists, and the potential market impact of vast amounts of AI-generated content flooding streaming services. Transparency in labeling AI-assisted or AI-generated music is becoming a central point of discussion, as advocates for human artists push for clear distinctions to protect creative livelihoods and consumer understanding.
As The Velvet Sundown maintains its viral success while vehemently denying the AI claims, the incident remains a potent symbol of the disruption and adaptation required as technology continues to reshape how music is made, distributed, and perceived globally.
