Deerhoof to Pull Music From Spotify: ‘We Don’t Want Our Success Tied to AI Battle Tech’

The indie rock stalwarts Deerhoof announced their intention to remove their catalog from Spotify on Monday (June 30) because of CEO Daniel Ek‘s investments in defense technology.

Earlier this month, the European defense technology company Helsing announced a series D funding round, led by Ek, worth nearly $700 million. This spurred Deerhoof to act: “We don’t want our success being tied to AI battle tech,” the band wrote in an open letter. 

Deerhoof described the decision to pull its music from Spotify as “pretty easy” since the group “earn[s] a lot more from touring” than it earns from streams on the platform.

“If the price of ‘discoverability’ is letting oligarchs fill the globe with computerized weaponry,” the band added, “we’re going to pass on the supposed benefits.”

Reps for Spotify and Helsing did not respond to a request for comment. 

Deerhoof has released 20 albums since debuting in 1996 with Dirt Pirate Creed. Those releases are spread across a handful of indie labels, including Kill Rock Stars, Polyvinyl, and Joyful Noise Recordings. Those companies will now be tasked with removing the band’s music from Spotify. 

“We aren’t sure exactly how soon the takedowns can happen, but it will be as soon as possible,” Deerhoof wrote. “We want to thank our various labels for their support on this tricky decision. The grunt work of pulling content off of Spotify is something they’re now tasked with, and they are sharing the financial hit. We know we are asking them to make a sacrifice, and it means a lot to us.”

Ek first put €100 million into Helsing in 2021 via Prima Materia, his investment vehicle, and joined the company’s board.  

Earlier this month, Ek was also announced as chairman of Helsing. “As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness,” he said in a statement. “Helsing is uniquely positioned with its AI leadership to deliver these critical capabilities in all-domain defence innovation.”

On Monday, Deerhoof wrote that “AI battle tech is clearly emerging as the hot new big ticket item for the super-rich.” But they stopped short of calling on other artists to join their protest against “AI weaponry” by pulling their music from Spotify.

“We also understand that other artists and labels do rely on Spotify for a bigger chunk of their income,” the band wrote, “and don’t judge those who can’t make the same move in the short term.”