7am Fake bands, real weapons: How Spotify is fuelling the arms race
6 snips
Jul 10, 2025 
In this conversation, Liz Pelly, author of 'Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist,' discusses Spotify’s surprising ties to the defense industry, including its founder's extensive investments in military AI technology. She highlights how these choices affect both artists and listeners. Pelly also dives into the challenges posed by generative AI, emphasizing its impact on copyright and fair pay for musicians. Additionally, she advocates for supporting independent artists directly to break free from the streaming paradigm.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Spotify's Founder Ties to Defense
- Daniel Ek's investments have tied Spotify closely to the military defense industry.
- Spotify's leadership and business approach have expanded beyond music into defense technology and AI military applications.
Fake Artists Fund Cost Savings
- Spotify used to fill playlists with music from 'fake' artists to reduce royalty payouts.
- They internally called these commissions 'perfect fit content' to optimize costs and playlist moods.
AI Shapes Music Culture and Meaning
- Spotify's algorithmic recommendations influence music style, meaning, and culture.
- Generative AI music raises deeper concerns about the future of artistic creativity and value.
