Switched on Pop Quitting Spotify (ft. Deerhoof)
18 snips
Nov 25, 2025 
Greg Saunier and Satomi Matsuzaka of Deerhoof dive into their bold decision to remove their entire catalog from Spotify. They reveal that the move was sparked not by low royalties but by Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek's investments in AI military technology. The duo discusses prioritizing ethics over visibility, showcasing their latest single on Craigslist instead. They challenge listeners to consider alternative ways to support artists, even suggesting they'd prefer fans pirate their music over streaming it on toxic platforms.
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Band Left Spotify Over Ethical Investment
- Deerhoof removed their entire catalog from Spotify after discovering Daniel Ek's investment in AI military tech.
- They called labels from the road and decided quickly, treating it as an obvious moral choice.
Privilege Enabled a Protest Move
- Deerhoof saw themselves in a "sweet spot" where they could leave Spotify without existential harm.
- They framed their exit as making Spotify "incredibly uncool" to reduce pressure on other artists.
Streaming Tied To Real-World Harm
- The band connected streaming platforms to wider war and surveillance systems via investment ties.
- Seeing footage of AI-enabled weapons made the ethical link visceral and hard to ignore.
