I'm taking my music off Spotify. Here's why...
As you may have seen on my Instagram today, I’ve begun the process of removing my music from Spotify. It was just a few clicks in my DistroKid dashboard - no questions asked - and the tracks should disappear within the next 48 hours.
I didn’t come to this decision lightly. For years, Spotify has been at the heart of my promotional efforts - hundreds of new listeners discovered my music there, found out about gigs and went on to become regular supporters. Some artists pulled their catalogues long ago, others are still debating, and many will choose to stay. It must be the right call for your own career and audience.
While I'm not even slightly in the same league as the following names, I join a growing Spotify exodus. Bands such as King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof have already pulled their catalogues in protest over Spotify’s ties to military AI funding (theguardian.com, sfchronicle.com). In the folk world here in the UK, Goblin Band have already shown the way1 (it was their decision that gave me the kick in the arse that I had needed, not to mention the courage), and I believe there are others thinking it through.
Here's what Goblin Band had to say on the subject...
Why I Can No Longer Stay
I’m appalled that extreme wealth is being used to damage and dehumanise rather than uplift, and I refuse to have my music complicit in that.
Recent reports show Daniel Ek’s investment firm, Prima Materia, led a €600 million funding round for Helsing – a German defence‑technology company developing AI‑driven weapons – and that Ek now sits on its board2.
On top of that, Spotify donated US$150,000 to President Trump’s 2025 inauguration ceremony – and even hosted a “power of podcasts in this election” brunch on the eve of the event3. I cannot, in good conscience, have my music linked to activities like these. Not even slightly. And I’m sure many of the people who listen to what I do would feel the same way about where their money is going.
And if all that wasn’t enough, in the last couple of weeks, a folk musician I deeply admire for the humanity and organic nature of her music, Emily Portman, discovered that Spotify had allowed the publication of not one but two albums of AI-generated music under her name. I’m not entirely against AI – it clearly has very powerful uses – but the wholesale replacement of musicians, or the unchecked infiltration of their catalogues by machines, is a dark direction for us to be heading in. I want no part in that.
Where to Find My Music Now
None of these digital platforms are perfect, and I’ve already had messages from followers on Instagram saying that there are issues with the choices I’ve made. But for now, you’ll find my work in most other places, including:
Future Possibilities
I’ve also been exploring new ways to build a musician‑led community online. A chap on Bluesky tipped me off to Subvert, which is experimenting with a co‑operative model run by musicians for musicians. I’ve signed up as a member to learn how their platform works, how decisions are made democratically, and how revenue is shared. Aside from anything else, members receive a beautifully produced print zine, and I look forward to sprawling on the sofa with the latest issue to get my head around their ideas.
Meanwhile, Emily White is writing some very interesting essays about the future of music over on Substack (a controversial platform in itself, having faced criticism for its hands‑off stance on hosting neo‑Nazi and extremist newsletters)4. Platform notwithstanding, I plan to follow her insights as closely as I can.
Embracing Physical Releases and Real‑World Connections
I’m also focusing on physical releases (vinyl and CDs) and live shows, where you can pick up a copy in person and say hello. Having come of age in the ’90s, I loved crate‑digging in record shops and bumping into fellow music fans. Wherever I travel, I still hunt out these hallowed spots and do my best to support them.
Thank you for listening with intention and for understanding why this was necessary. I hope you’ll join me on Bandcamp and Tidal; let’s keep the spirit of independent music thriving. I look forward to seeing you in a record shop soon.
With gratitude,
Jon xx
