In response to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s significant investment in an AI weapons company, Vancouver singer-songwriter Dan Mangan has uploaded his music catalog to [untitled], a platform designed for sharing “work-in-progress music.” Unlike public platforms like Bandcamp or Soundcloud, [untitled] allows creators to share music privately through links, ensuring that only those with access can stream it. Mangan maintains that his catalog remains on mainstream streaming services, including Spotify, but emphasizes using [untitled] to circumvent multinational corporations. In a Substack post, he raised concerns about troubling industry trends, such as the emergence of AI-generated bands like Velvet Sundown and declining opportunities for middle-class musicians. Mangan argues that while AI can assist with technical tasks, it fails to express the profound truths of human experience. His latest album, Natural Light, does utilize AI for specific audio corrections, highlighting the ongoing dialogue about technology’s role in music creation.
