It cannot be overstated how important a move like this is for the future of the music industry. An industry marred by sustainability considerations, ethical considerations and always intertwined with politics. Deerhoof have been pioneers in protest, not just in music but in action. Warning shots at an industry which needs greater regulation and fairer pay for artists.
The latest move by the band comes as no surprise. Many, including ourselves, welcome this news. We hope at the very least it weakens any form of monopoly of the industry. Moreover, we hope it highlights how companies and individuals actions that are anti-human rights will be kept in check by the people it continues to affect. Finally, we welcome the other brave organisations, groups, and musicians taking action to fight these issues.
Deerhoof are not alone in their boycott.
Other bands and organisations have joining Deerhoof in their boycott. Others have taken to social media to express their solidarity with the actions.
Halftone Magazine will be joining these bands. Starting with removing all our content from the platform and no longer sharing links to its platform.
The News and the Reaction
Deerhoof, the long-running indie rock band known for their experimental approach and staunch ethics, has removed their music from Spotify in response to CEO Daniel Ek’s latest investment, this time in artificial intelligence designed for warfare.
The band made the decision swiftly after learning that Ek’s venture capital firm, Prima Materia, had led a €600 million funding round for Helsing, a defense tech company building AI for military purposes. Ek, who also became Helsing’s chairman, is now drawing criticism from both fans and artists for what Deerhoof characterizes as a “massive ethical red flag”.
“We don’t want our music killing people,” the band said in a public statement. “We don’t want our success tied to AI battle tech.”
Check out their full statement here.
Spotify Streams, Low Pay, and a Line Crossed
Deerhoof’s exit comes amid long-running frustration with Spotify’s compensation model. The band reported earning around $1,000 per member annually through Spotify—a figure that made their decision easier.
“It took all of two minutes to decide,” said drummer Greg Saunier in an interview with The Verge. “Our music was being used to fund something we fundamentally oppose.”
Spotify has come under scrutiny for its streaming royalty structure, which typically pays artists fractions of a cent per stream. The platform has also faced criticism over “Discovery Mode”, a program that gives artists more exposure in exchange for lower royalties, and the use of so-called “ghost artists” to cut costs.
While the band acknowledged that not every artist has the financial freedom to leave Spotify—many rely on streaming income—Saunier made it clear that Deerhoof’s decision was about drawing a line. “It was easy for us because we make most of our income from touring,” he said.
Check out pitchfork’s coverage of this issue.
A Personal Boycott, a Possible Spark
The band likened their exit to a strike, not just against Spotify’s business practices, but against what they see as its deeper complicity in global militarization.
“We were the laborers Spotify used as bait for their ad company,” Saunier said. “Now we’re refusing to be a part of that.”
The announcement, initially shared via Instagram, has gained traction—raising the possibility of further artist boycotts. Saunier said he hoped their move would encourage others to think critically about where their music lives, even if they can’t make the same choice right now.
Check out the Verge’s take on this issue.
Deerhoof didn’t hold back in their critique of the streaming giant. Calling Spotify a “data-mining scam masquerading as a music company” the band accused it of prioritizing growth and advertising revenue over artist sustainability or ethics.
“Eventually artists will want to leave,” they wrote. “Music-making lasts forever, but this digital get-rich-quick scheme won’t.”
Other Artists Have Left, Too
Deerhoof joins a growing list of artists who have pulled music from Spotify in protest, including Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, India.Arie, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Those decisions came amid controversies around the platform’s exclusive content and misinformation concerns. Deerhoof’s stance adds another layer: opposition to the use of streaming profits for military ventures.
“If It’s a Human Right, It Should Be Nationalized”
In a wide-ranging interview, Saunier connected the dots between Spotify, AI ethics, and broader questions about art, profit, and power. “If recorded music is a human right,” he said, “then it should be nationalized. It should not be done for profit.”
He also pointed to artists in France, where the government subsidizes musicians directly. “It’s wild to think how different things could be,” he added.
Where to Find Deerhoof’s Music Now
With over 114,000 monthly listeners previously on Spotify, Deerhoof’s exit is symbolic, not seismic. But the band hopes their departure will raise questions about how artists are valued—and how their work is used.
Their new album, “Noble and Godlike in Ruin“, is available on Bandcamp, the band’s own website, and through their label, Joyful Noise Recordings. The label issued a supportive statement: “Independent artists should choose platforms that align with their values.”
The Verge Summarises very well, highlighting how for Deerhoof, that means anywhere but Spotify.