A spokesperson for the AI-generated band Velvet Sundown has openly acknowledged that the group is artificially created. They addressed growing speculation about their authenticity in an interview with Rolling Stone.
The spokesperson defended the band’s use of artificial intelligence as a creative and marketing strategy.
“It’s marketing. It’s trolling,” the spokesperson said. “People before, they didn’t care about what we did, and now suddenly, we’re talking to Rolling Stone, so it’s like, ‘Is that wrong?'”
The spokesperson further elaborated on the broader implications of AI in creative industries.
“We live in a world now where things that are fake have sometimes even more impact than things that are real,” they continued. “And that’s messed up, but that’s the reality that we face now. So it’s like, ‘Should we ignore that reality?'”
The spokesperson also addressed criticism surrounding the use of AI technology in music creation.
“I respect that people have really strong emotions about this,” they said. “But I think it’s important that we allow artists to experiment with new technologies and new tools, try things out, and not freak out at people just because they’re using a program or not using a program.”
The band’s rapid rise to prominence has highlighted the growing capabilities of AI music generation technology. It has also shown the potential impact on the music industry.
Consequence reported that Velvet Sundown has amassed over 500,000 monthly Spotify listeners. The band released two full albums within just weeks of their debut, with a third album expected soon. This extraordinary rate of production is uncommon even for established artists. It demonstrates the speed at which AI can generate content.
Louder Sound noted that their music is described as a mix of ’70s psychedelic alt-rock and folk rock with modern indie elements. The music was generated using the AI music creation tool Suno. The platform can produce up to 500 songs per month for a low fee. Some listeners have noted the music’s synthetic feel and varying vocal timbres.
The band’s digital presence has also raised questions about authenticity in the streaming era. Cybernews found that all images of the band members posted on social media appear to be AI-generated. The images show hyperrealistic but oddly smoothed textures and colors. There is no real-world presence or evidence of the named members beyond their Instagram account. This has fueled speculation about their fictitious nature.
Spotify has verified the band despite these revelations. This illustrates how major streaming platforms are beginning to adapt to AI-generated content. The case highlights ongoing debates about authenticity, creativity, and the evolving definition of what it means to be an artist in the digital age.
