stayc main image

Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

Read more
stayc main image

Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

Read more
stayc main image

Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Turn a Bedroom into a Professional Home Studio on a Budget

September 19, 2024

For many aspiring musicians, the dream of creating a professional-quality home studio seems out of reach due to costs and space constraints. However, with the right strategies and tools, it's...

Read more
stayc main image

Remote Music Collaboration: Tools and Tips for Seamless Production

September 18, 2024

Collaborating on music remotely has become more common, but as you’ve experienced, it can be a challenge to get it right. Audio latency, control sensitivity, and lack of real-time feedback are...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Build a Loyal Fanbase Using Social Media in 2024

September 18, 2024

In today’s digital age, building a loyal fanbase is essential for musicians to thrive. Social media platforms have become powerful tools for connecting directly with fans, sharing music, and...

Read more
stayc main image

Best Apps and Websites for Creating Instrumentals When You Don’t Play Instruments

September 18, 2024

As a songwriter, it can be frustrating to have melodies or lyrics in your head but no way to bring them to life without instrumental skills. Thankfully, with modern technology, there are apps and...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Match Chords to Your Singing – Overcoming the Struggle

September 18, 2024

Creating music often feels like an intricate puzzle. You might have a melody that you love, but when it comes to pairing it with chords, you feel stuck. If you're in this situation, you're not alone.

Read more
stayc main image

The Top 10 Free Tools Every Indie Musician Needs to Succeed

September 18, 2024

As an indie musician, creating professional music while sticking to a budget can be challenging. You might not have the resources to afford high-end software or pay for expensive marketing...

Read more
stayc main image

Miley Cyrus Sued Over ‘Flowers’: The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Infringement

September 18, 2024

Music creators often walk a delicate line between drawing inspiration from their favorite songs and unintentionally infringing on the work of others. The recent lawsuit filed against Miley Cyrus...

Read more

Xiu Xiu Pulls Music from Spotify Over AI Investments; It’s a Bold Stand

Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet

Why This Isn't Just Another Band Getting off of Spotify

The experimental rock group Xiu Xiu formally declared that they would be removing their music from Spotify in response to the platform's investment in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered combat drones.They wrote on Instagram: "Spotify invests in AI war drones with music money." This action puts them in line with Deerhoof, another group that withdrew following the disclosure of Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, investing €600 million in the military technology firm, Helsing.

What's Actually at Risk

  • The investment from Spotify was made through Ek's fund, Prima Materia, a private investment firm which spearheaded a €600 million round for Helsing, a business that develops AI-powered military software used in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
  • Removal is underway, according to Xiu Xiu, but they issued a warning about "procedural complications." In protest, they asked fans to cancel their subscriptions.

This is about moral integrity, not money. These musicians are taking a radical stance, believing that music should not be used to finance weapons.

Fans and Social Media React
  • On Instagram and X (Twitter), fans voiced concern:
    “Xiu Xiu taking their music off Spotify… I respect them for this, but of course nothing will change unless it’s someone like Taylor Swift threatening to remove their music from the platform..”
  • Reddit threads question whether such pullouts could spark broader artist boycotts; but others worry it won’t move Spotify’s needle.

This isn’t the first time artists have taken a stand. Taylor Swift famously pulled her music from Spotify years ago, demanding fairer pay structures. While she later returned, the move sparked global conversations about streaming ethics. Yet without widespread support from other major artists, little structural change followed.

Why This Is Important to Us All

  1. Money vs. Art: Listeners are forced to decide whether to support platforms that use AI that is funded by the military as a result of this incident.
  2. New Resistance: Leading grassroots ethical action in music, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof are trailblazers rather than well-known artists.
  3. What Will Be Spotify's Next Step? Are other artists going to follow?

Final Take

Xiu Xiu’s decision to leave Spotify isn’t a publicity stunt, it’s a principled move. It’s a moral stand. They’re sparking a conversation about what streaming supports, and showing that even smaller artists can demand accountability.

Xiu Xiu Pulls Music from Spotify Over AI Investments; It’s a Bold Standxiu-xiu-pulls-music-from-spotify-over-ai-investments-its-a-bold-standLienor KatasJul 27, 2025The experimental rock group Xiu Xiu formally declared that they would be removing their music from Spotify in response to the platform's investment in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered combat...