A surprising twist in the music world: The Velvet Sundown, a band that went viral with over a million Spotify streams, has been exposed as a clever AI creation. This digital disguise has prompted music industry insiders to demand new rules for transparency, ensuring listeners know exactly what they’re hearing.
The band had successfully released two albums, Floating On Echoes and Dust And Silence, cultivating an image of authentic country-folk artists. Their unexpected popularity showcased AI’s growing sophistication in crafting music that can resonate deeply with a wide audience, challenging traditional notions of authorship.
The truth came to light when an adjunct member disclosed that the entire project was an art hoax built using Suno, a generative AI platform. Despite initial denials from the band’s official channels, they later confirmed their AI origins, describing their existence as somewhere in between human and machine.
This controversy has underscored the urgent need for streaming platforms to implement clear labeling for AI-generated content. Industry experts are pushing for legal mandates, arguing that without such disclosures, consumers are being misled, and the integrity of the music ecosystem is at risk. The debate now focuses on balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.