Rock band with more than 1 million Spotify listeners reveals it's entirely AI-generated — down to the musicians themselves
Share this @internewscast.com

A vibrant rock band that rapidly climbed to the top of Spotify’s charts revealed it was completely created by artificial intelligence, merely a month after its debut album garnered one million listeners.

The band, Velvet Sundown, with its ’60s rock-and-roll style, disclosed on Saturday that nothing about it was authentic, after fans noticed an absence of any personal information or people linked to the band online.

Its debut album, “Floating on Echoes,” was released on June 5 to mass appeal online.

The album’s standout track, a pro-peace folk rock number titled “Dust on the Wind,” reached No. 1 on Spotify’s daily “Viral 50” chart in Britain, Norway, and Sweden from June 29 to July 1.

All the while, the one million monthly listeners who started following the Velvet Sundown had no idea they were just listening to a mass of artificial intelligence made by fake musicians.

The photos of the band shared online and featured on the album’s cover were unnaturally smooth and matte and the guitarist’s hand was wonky with fused fingers gripping his instrument — a classic hallmark of AI-generated images.

The band’s lyrics, too, were a perfect mesh of generic anti-war sentiments and other clichés like “Nothin’ lasts forever but the earth and sky, it slips away, and all your money won’t another minute buy.”

The faux rockstars were also pumping out new albums scarily — and inhumanly — fast, releasing two in June alone and another set for mid-July.

The band finally revealed its secret over the weekend.

It updated its Spotify biography Saturday to reflect the AI twist, assuring that the project hadn’t been trying to bamboozle its audience.

“The Velvet Sundown is a synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualized with the support of artificial intelligence. This isn’t a trick – it’s a mirror. An ongoing artistic provocation designed to challenge the boundaries of authorship, identity, and the future of music itself in the age of AI,” the biography reads.

Some people who had seen through the band’s ploy early tried to take advantage of its viral success before the truth came out.

A Quebec-based web safety expert posed as a spokesperson for the Velvet Sundown under the pseudonym Andrew Frelon, which translates to hornet in French, and even slid false information to Rolling Stone magazine about his supposed clients.

But the man behind the Frelon quickly confessed that he was just trying to troll people online.

It’s unclear if the Velvet Sundown will face any backlash from Spotify or any other platforms where it may be eligible for streaming revenue.

Starting on July 15, YouTube announced that it would be cutting all monetization, including advertisements, for any content generated by AI.

In late June, popular YouTuber Mr.Beast announced a tool that would use AI to make thumbnails for videos. He quickly removed it after receiving backlash for supporting an artificial intelligence engine, which often requires massive amounts of energy that would steadily offset his years of environmental work and reforestation efforts.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New American revolution brewing in Boston after RFK Jr. sets health safety sights on Dunkin'

RFK Jr. Sparks Modern Revolution in Boston: Targets Dunkin’ for Health Safety Overhaul

Donut Mess with Dunkin’! Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has challenged…
Alleged bullying attack leaves 12-year-old girl dead after defending sister, mom says

Tragic Incident: 12-Year-Old Girl Dies After Allegedly Defending Sister from Bullying, Mother Reports

A tragic incident has led to the death of a 12-year-old girl…
Planned Parenthood now sells Botox, fillers after funding cut

Planned Parenthood Expands Services: Botox and Fillers Now Available Amid Funding Challenges

Botox, lip fillers, and laughing gas are now part of the offerings…
Millions lose power across Cuba as Trump sanctions continue to fuel ongoing energy crisis

Cuba Faces Widespread Power Outages Amid Prolonged Energy Crisis Linked to Trump-Era Sanctions

A massive power outage swept through western Cuba on Wednesday, plunging millions…
Man killed riding illegal electric bike in crash outside UN in Manhattan

Shocking Penn Station Crime: Parolee with 131 Arrests Accused of Setting Homeless Man Ablaze

A man on parole, known for his extensive criminal past with 131…
US scrambles fighter jets to track 2 Russian warplanes flying near American airspace

US Fighter Jets Mobilized: Russian Warplanes Approach American Airspace – What You Need to Know

On Wednesday, NORAD dispatched U.S. and Canadian fighter jets in response to…
California Democatic governor candidates refuse to exit race despite polls

California Governor Race Heats Up as Candidates Stand Firm Despite Polls

In an unexpected twist, several underdog Democratic candidates in California are standing…
US 'got the last laugh'

How the US Strategically Outmaneuvered Rival Nations: A Tale of Unexpected Victory

In a bold move that underscores the complexities of international security, US…
Peter Schweizer: Trump Has Ended the Bush-Era 'Pottery Barn Rule' with Iran

Peter Schweizer Claims Trump Has Abandoned Bush-Era Policy on Iran

President Donald Trump is not launching a new “forever war” with Iran;…
Tariff news: Judge rules companies are entitled to refunds for Trump tariffs overturned by Supreme Court

Supreme Court Overturns Trump Tariffs: Companies Eligible for Refunds After Judge’s Decision

NEW YORK — In a setback for the Trump administration, a federal…
The future of war? US-Israel blitz on Iran unveils next-gen allied combat

Unveiling Next-Gen Warfare: US-Israel Joint Strike on Iran Redefines Combat Tactics

The United States and Israel are conducting a large-scale joint air campaign…
Senate Republicans block Iran war powers resolution with House vote up next

Senate Republicans Halt Iran War Powers Resolution: Eyes Turn to Upcoming House Vote

On Wednesday, Republican senators thwarted a Democratic effort to curb President Trump’s…