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13h ago

Velvet Sundown Disavows Hoax Spokesperson as AI Authorship Debate Escalates

Rejecting Frelon's claims has highlighted calls for clearer AI-disclosure standards, prompting scrutiny of streaming recommendation systems.

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The Velvet Sundown.
‘70s-inspired psych-rock band The Velvet Sundown clocks over 858K monthly listeners on Spotify alone and is being recommended in subscribers’ algorithmic playlists, like Discover Weekly. It’s also AI-generated.

Overview

  • On July 3, Andrew Frelon admitted his spokesperson persona was an elaborate art hoax and the band confirmed he has no affiliation with Velvet Sundown.
  • Velvet Sundown’s official Spotify page and linked X account rejected Frelon’s narrative and described the project as a multidisciplinary blend of music, analog aesthetics and speculative storytelling.
  • The band's listener count has surpassed 700,000 on Spotify, highlighting the sway of algorithm-driven recommendations in elevating AI-generated music.
  • Observers note inconsistent AI-disclosure policies across streaming platforms, with Spotify lacking formal requirements compared to services like Deezer.
  • With a new album on the horizon, the situation has intensified discussions about transparency in AI-assisted music creation and ethical platform curation.