Xiu Xiu Is Pulling Their Music Off Spotify In Protest Over AI Military Funding

Experimental rock group Xiu Xiu have announced they’re removing their music from Spotify due to the company investing in AI military start-up Helsin.

Experimental rock group Xiu Xiu have announced that they are in the process of removing their music from Spotify.

Through a representative, Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart told Pitchfork that they and their bandmates “have been working on this for about a month, and the hope is that almost everything will be off next week.” They also said that their label and distributors Polyvinyl, Kill Rock Stars, and Graveface have been “supportive” in helping the band get its music off Spotify.

The band’s decision comes from Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s recent €600 million ($1.07 billion AUD) investment in AI military start-up Helsin. “Spotify uses music money to invest in AI war drones.” Xiu Xiu shared.

“We are removing our music from Spotify specifically and encouraging people to cancel their subscriptions because of their investment in AI war drones. Although the financial practices of all streaming services is acutely anti-musician, the actions of Spotify to use the profits they made from essentially stealing music in order to murder people to make even more money is almost beyond comprehension.”

Xiu Xiu is the second band this month to confirm they’re removing their music from the service due to the recent AI funding. US Indie rock band Deerhoof also announced that they will be removing their music from the platform on 30 July. As of writing, a majority of Deerhoof’s music has been removed, with only a collaboration album and select singles and EP’s remaining.

Previously, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash all pulled their music from Spotify following its multi-million dollar deal with podcaster Joe Rogan. Young said his decision was in protest to Rogan spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. He would, however, return to the platform in 2024 after Rogan’s exclusivity contract had ended.

Joni Mitchell would also return to Spotify in 2024, while Graham Nash ended their boycott of the platform only five months after announce they would leave.