King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Take a Stand Against Spotify
The Australian rock band, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, has made a bold decision to remove their music catalog from Spotify. This move comes after the band discovered that Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has invested millions in a military defense company that specializes in AI military drone technology.
The Reason Behind the Decision
In an Instagram story, the band explained their reasoning behind this decision. They stated that Ek’s investment in the defense technology company is unacceptable and that they do not want to be associated with it. The band urged their fans to support them on other platforms, saying "Can we put this Dr. Evil Tech Bros under pressure to do better? Make yourself on another platform."
The Investment in Question
The investment that sparked this controversy is a $700 million investment round in a German defense technology company called Helsing. Ek is not only an investor but also the chairman of the company. This has raised concerns among artists and fans alike, who do not want to be associated with a company that profits from military technology.
The Impact on King Gizzard’s Music
King Gizzard has an extensive catalog of almost 30 albums, and their decision to remove their music from Spotify will undoubtedly have an impact on their fans. At the time of publication, the band had around 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners. However, it seems that only their 2022 EP, "Satanic Slumber Party", will remain on the platform.
A Growing Trend
King Gizzard is not the only band to take a stand against Spotify. Other artists, such as Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, have also removed their music from the platform in protest. Deerhoof stated that they do not want their music to be associated with AI battle tech, while Xiu Xiu called Spotify a "garbage hole violent Armageddon portal".
A History of Controversy
This is not the first time that artists have removed their music from Spotify due to controversy. In the past, artists such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have pulled their catalogs from the platform due to concerns over misinformation. However, their music has since returned to the platform.
The Future of Music Streaming
The decision by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard to remove their music from Spotify raises important questions about the future of music streaming. As artists become more aware of the social and environmental impact of the companies they work with, we may see more bands and artists taking a stand against platforms that do not align with their values.
