With over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, the psychedelic rock project The velvet sunset is generating thousands of dollars and raising tough questions for the music industry.
Recently, it was confirmed that much of the “band’s” music is generated by artificial intelligence, a revelation that has both fascinated and shocked the community.
The band’s Spotify bio explicitly notes: “A synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, composed, dubbed and visualized with the assistance of artificial intelligence.”
As AI-generated music becomes increasingly sophisticated, industry experts describe it as “sometimes.” “soulless,” “claustrophobic,” and “disturbing” according to conversations with CNBC.
The challenge of distinguishing man from machine
AI tools have long been integrated into music software like Logic, but newer platforms like Suno and Udio allow creators to produce entire songs with just a few commands.
This has led to a wave of virtual artists. AventhisFor example, another AI-created musician boasts over 600,000 monthly Spotify listeners, demonstrating the growing prevalence of AI-powered artists.
According to French streaming service Deezer, which has implemented an AI detection tool for uploaded music, around 18% of songs on their platform in April were completely AI-generated.
As artificial intelligence systems become more and more sophisticated, distinguishing between human and machine output becomes increasingly difficult. Jason Palamara, assistant professor of music technology at the Herron School of Art and Design, told CNBC: “The velvet sunset‘s music is far better than anything AI generated in the past. Now he produces meaningful song structures, with verses, choruses and bridges.
Palamara warns him The velvet sunset it can only be “the tip of the iceberg”as AI platforms like Suno and Udio, with low barriers to entry, allow anyone to generate hundreds of songs with a minimal monthly subscription.
Legal battles and the future of music
The rise of AI music has sparked debates over copyright and intellectual property, with major labels such as Sony, Universal Music Group and Warner Records filing lawsuits against Suno and Udio for alleged copyright infringement. Thousands of artists have called for a ban on the use of human-made content to train artificial intelligence without consent.
Keith Mullin, head of music management at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, points out: “AI-generated music is here to stay. We can’t turn back time.”
Historically, the music industry has adapted to disruptive technologies — from Napster in 1999 to the rise of streaming platforms in the 2000s. But for emerging artists, competing with AI-powered bands represents a new kind of challenge.
Tilly Louise, a 25-year-old British alternative pop artist, expressed frustration: “Seeing a band that doesn’t even exist online get all the attention is really disheartening. Despite millions of streams, I can’t make a living off Spotify alone.”
Embracing artificial intelligence while preserving human creativity
Music teachers are increasingly integrating AI into curricula, teaching students to leverage AI for creative enhancement, rather than complete replacement. Some high-profile producers, including Grammy winner Timbaland, are experimenting with AI-based projects, such as Phase Zerowhich features a pop star created by artificial intelligence.
Palamara reflects: “Manufacturers are starting to explore this space, creating an entirely new industry model that we can’t yet fully predict.”
As AI reshapes the music landscape, one thing is certain: Artists, educators, and listeners must navigate the evolving intersection of creativity, technology, and commerce.
Sources: Znews
