Quebec's quiet, yet noticeable resistence towards Spotify's streaming service
Independent musicians from around the globe, including renowned bands like Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Cindy Lee, are leaving Spotify in protest against the platform's CEO, Daniel Ek, who has invested approximately €600–700 million in Helsing, a European defense company developing AI for military drones and weapons.
These artists object to their music indirectly funding technologies they oppose, such as AI-driven military systems, which they feel conflicts with their ethical values and artistic integrity.
The movement has sparked discussions within Quebec's music community, where independent and socially conscious artists might share similar ethical concerns about military investments. Several Quebec record labels, including Ambiances Ambigües and Constellation, have expressed concern about Ek's military investments and AI-generated music on Spotify.
Eric Harvey, president of Ambiances Ambigües, and Camille Gascon, a colleague of Harvey, suggest that the public should choose alternative platforms to support artists. Ian Ilavsky, co-founder of Constellation, indicates that an announcement from his company about Spotify is coming in early fall. He is trying to create solidarity among the artists on the label.
Constellation does not want to create a situation where an artist has to give up their Spotify income, and will respect and understand the decision of its artists who cannot afford to forgo the income they can generate on the platform. However, Ian Ilavsky criticizes the royalty system on Spotify, arguing that selling vinyl and albums in stores or on Bandcamp is a much more significant source of income for many of the artists.
About 90% of the artists represented by Constellation receive very little income from streaming music services like Spotify. Jean-Patrice Rémillard, a Canadian electronic music musician and producer, removed his catalog from Spotify after learning that Spotify's venture capital firm Prima Materia had invested €600 million in Helsing.
The boycott movement could potentially lead to greater visibility for artists on alternative platforms. Spotify is used as a tool to evaluate an artist's trajectory and visibility. As more artists leave the platform, the boycott could shift the focus to alternative streaming services, offering independent musicians a chance to gain more exposure.
Several Quebec record labels and management companies have refused to comment on the boycott that started this summer. Some have confirmed that this exodus has sparked discussions internally about their record label's presence on Spotify and possible actions to take.
Eric Harvey believes the boycott movement should also raise awareness among listeners. He argues that choosing alternative platforms can help support artists and their values. The longevity of independent, demanding, and committed journalism can be ensured through support of our website.
- The boycott movement among independent musicians, driven by concerns about their music funding military technologies, has also prompted discussions within Quebec's culture and entertainment scene about the ethical implications of military investments, particularly by Spotify's CEO.
- As artists continue to leave Spotify, the boycott could potentially redirect the focus to alternative platforms for music, offering independent musicians a platform to not only showcase their talent but also align with their ethical values.
