Hotline TNT become latest band to quit Spotify
Hotline TNT have removed all of their music from Spotify due to a disalignment over values.
The New York group, who released their latest album Raspberry Moon in June through Jack White’s Third Man Records, announced their departure on Instagram on August 22nd.
Their message began, “Good morning crashers, We are leaving the Spotify streaming service. The company that bills itself as the steward of all recorded music has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt that it does not align with the band’s values in any way.”
Hotline TNT concluded by writing, “A cooler world is possible.”
Last month, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard led the charge of bands removing their work from Spotify. Explaining their decision, the Australian band shared: “A PSA to those unaware: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests millions in AI military drone technology. We just removed our music from the platform.”
Their statement references Spotify CEO Daniel Ek investing €600 million into Helsing, an AI military start-up producing drones, aircraft and submarines. Following the cash injection, he was named chairman of the company.
Since then, Cindy Lee removed all of their music from Spotify, as did Deerhoof, who claimed the Swedish streaming service is “flushing itself down the toilet”. Godspeed You! Black Emperor are another act to have recently turned their back to streaming, but they have not given a reason for their decision.
In a recent interview with Far Out, The Black Keys reflected on previously choosing against releasing 2011’s El Camino and 2014’s Turn Blue on Spotify until finally making both albums available at the end of 2016.
Drummer Patrick Carney conceded, “We were out there being vocal about it, and then what happened is there was no alternative, if you wanted your music to be heard by kids who don’t buy records,” before adding, “It definitely hurt us in the long run.” Frontman Dan Auerbach also said, “Taking a stand definitely hurt us.”
Carney said they were “hoping other people” would follow their lead, and doesn’t regret taking a strong stance against services like Spotify, defiantly stating, “I regret other people not (taking a stance).”
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