🎶 Music Industry Pulse – Week of July 11, 2025
This week’s spotlight spans AI ethics, surprise drops, vinyl revival, and festival partnerships—plus fast, forward ideas you can share.
1. Velvet Sundown Revealed as AI-Created Rock Band
The viral “band” Velvet Sundown, boasting 1M+ monthly Spotify listeners, has confirmed that it’s entirely AI-generated—music, image, and all. The move sparked major ethical debate, with artists like Billie Eilish and Céline Dion speaking out. Read the People report ↗︎
- Quick win: Start a social convo: “AI band or human artistry—which would you stream?”
- Pro tip: Emphasize human authenticity in your branding—your soul beats what’s simulated.
2. Deerhoof Exits Spotify Over Ethical Concerns
Experimental band Deerhoof pulled its music from Spotify, citing concerns over investments in military AI and royalty structures—calling the platform a data-mining “scam.” Read the SF Chronicle coverage ↗︎
- Quick win: Spark a blog post or thread: “Is it time for ethical music consumption?”
- Pro tip: Share a behind-the-scenes statement about your distribution ethics and platform choices.
3. SoundCloud + elasticStage Launch On-Demand Vinyl
SoundCloud artists can now offer on-demand vinyl through elasticStage—perfect for fans craving that analog shine. Explore the service ↗︎
- Quick win: Tease a limited-edition vinyl release in your newsletter—test demand before pressing.
- Pro tip: Combine vinyl pre-orders with exclusive items like signed art or digital bonus tracks.
4. TikTok + Tomorrowland Team Up Again
TikTok and Tomorrowland extended their festival partnership, sharing 24/7 streams, behind‑the‑scenes clips, and an in-app #Tomorrowland hub. Official announcement ↗︎
- Quick win: Tag along during festival moments—“watching the livestream?”—to spark real-time engagement.
- Pro tip: Create coordinated TikToks or Insta Stories timed with key festival performances.
5. Spotify & Youth Music Launch ‘Open Doors’ Fund in UK
Spotify joined forces with Youth Music to fund youth music centres across the UK—supporting spaces where future creators learn and grow. Read Spotify’s press release ↗︎
- Quick win: Highlight the initiative to show you're part of a larger creative ecosystem.
- Pro tip: Partner with local music centres or scholarships to strengthen your community impact story.
That’s your pulse—spark convos, lean into human stories, and vinyl-up your brand. Stay bold, stay human, stay in the mix.
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