Famed indie rockers Deerhoof have announced that their entire discography will be removed from Spotify, as revealed in a press statement that dropped earlier today via Instagram.
The news comes as a response to CEO Daniel Ek's investment of nearly $700m via his Prima Materia fund into Helsing, a German company that specializes in AI technology and software to inform military decisions. Ek, who currently serves as chairman on their board, made the decision public earlier this month that he would be "doubling down" on his investment as Helsing evolves their technology, from software to weaponry, drones, and aircraft.
Deerhoof, in their recent statement, wrote, "'Daniel Ek uses $700 million of his Spotify fortune to become chairman of AI battle tech company' was not a headline we enjoyed reading this week. We don't want our music killing people. We don't want our success being tied to AI battle tech."
The band mentions that taking their discography off the platform will not happen instantaneously, but they will try to make sure it's done "as soon as possible":
"It's increasingly clear that the military and police exist primarily as the security detail for the billionaire class. The more of the killing you can get computers to do, the better your bottom line. Computerized targeting, computerized extermination, computerized destabilization for profit, successfully tested on the people of Gaza, also finally solves the perennial inconvenience to war-makers--It takes human compassion and morality out of the equation."
In addition to the major criticisms surrounding Ek's support and financial assistance with AI Military technology, the band is also critical of the platform's music discovery aspect, data practices, and streaming royalties:
“One of the claims often made about Spotify is that it theoretically makes one’s music discoverable by anyone who signs up, no matter how remote they may be from the self-proclaimed centers of hipness. But just because someone is far from Western gatekeepers does not mean they lack culture, or need to hear our band. Deerhoof is a small mom and pop operation, and know when enough is enough. 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's label, Joyful Noise, has also expressed their support in the band's decision and frustrations with Ek's investment practices, ultimately stating that their job is to "serve the artist" no matter where or how they release their music, but buying music directly from the artists "ensures financial sustainability for the artist and independent label community that supports them.”
You can read the full statement from Deerhoof below:
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