TL;DR
- Viral band The Velvet Sundown has gained hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify amid controversies regarding its authenticity.
- Speculations suggest the claims of being a real band are undermined by evidence pointing towards AI-generated music and images.
- A hoax spokesman initially claimed the band used AI to generate its music but later admitted to fabricating his role in an elaborate social experiment.
- The ongoing controversy highlights broader issues concerning the impact of AI on the music industry and authenticity in digital content.
The Velvet Sundown: A Viral Band with a Controversial Backstory
The Velvet Sundown has captured attention across the music world, amassing hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify in just a few weeks since its inception. However, with no definitive confirmation of the band's reality, speculation has surged regarding its authenticity, prompting discussions that extend well beyond music itself.
The Rise to Fame
Since its debut, The Velvet Sundown has achieved a remarkable feat: over 850,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, underscoring a rapid rise that many are questioning. The indie band's music, which features ballads reminiscent of 1970s rock, showcases lyrics that evoke curiosity and nostalgia with lines like "eyes like film in faded light." Yet, despite their popularity, there is a notable absence of any digital footprint from the supposed members of the band, including no public interviews or live performances[^1]. This has led to accusations that The Velvet Sundown is an AI-generated project.
The Hoax Revealed
Earlier this month, a man who identified himself as the band's spokesman, Andrew Frelon, initially confirmed claims that their music was created using an AI tool called Suno. However, in a shocking turn, it was revealed that Frelon himself was part of a hoax and admitted to fabricating his role in what he called an "art hoax" intended to explore media gullibility[^2]. In response to the allegations, The Velvet Sundown released a statement distancing itself from Frelon's fabrications, asserting that the band has no affiliation with him and called his actions "lazy" and "baseless"[^3].
The Implications of AI in Music
The controversy surrounding The Velvet Sundown has sparked a broader dialogue about the implications of AI within the music industry. Professor Gina Neff, an expert on technology and democracy, noted the episode reflects a growing unease with AI's influence on our collective grasp of reality. With industry professionals like Ed Newton Rex, founder of Fairly Trained, expressing concern that AI-generated content undermines human artists' livelihoods, the situation brings attention to critical issues of copyright and the future of music creation[^3][^4].
Authenticity in a Digital Age
The Velvet Sundown represents a microcosm of a significant challenge faced in today's digital landscape. As artificial intelligence technologies proliferate, they raise complex questions about the nature of creativity, authorship, and the integrity of artistic expression. These concerns are especially pressing for musicians who fear that AI's rise may lead to an oversaturated market of low-quality imitations.
The Velvet Sundown's story illustrates a growing trend where algorithmically generated content can gain traction, prompting platforms like Deezer to implement AI detection tools. Currently, Deezer reports that approximately 18% of all music uploaded to their platform is flagged as AI-generated[^5]. This prompts ongoing discussions about how streaming services will navigate the evolving landscape where human-created and AI-generated art coexists.
Conclusion
As The Velvet Sundown continues to navigate the choppy waters of its viral fame, the implications of this controversy resonate widely across the entertainment industry. The interplay between AI and traditional artistry raises essential questions that may redefine how we perceive music, creativity, and authenticity in an increasingly digital world. The fallout from this incident serves as a crucial reminder of the need for better governance and ethical considerations surrounding the integration of AI technologies in the creative fields moving forward.
References
[^1]: "AI claims and a hoax spokesman: Viral band confuses the world of music". BBC News. (2025-07-03). Retrieved from BBC News.
[^2]: Kainz, Natalie et al. (2025-07-03). "Spokesman for Viral AI Band The Velvet Sundown Admits to ‘Art Hoax,’ ‘Trolling’ in First Interview". Billboard. Retrieved from Billboard.
[^3]: Kleinman, Zoe. (2025-07-04). "AI claims and a hoax spokesman: Viral band confuses the world of music". BBC. Retrieved from BBC News.
[^4]: Robinson, Kristin. (2025-07-03). "Spokesman for Viral AI Band The Velvet Sundown Admits to ‘Art Hoax,’ ‘Trolling’ in First Interview (Updated)". Billboard. Retrieved from Billboard.
[^5]: "AI claims and a hoax spokesman: Viral band confuses the world of music". Unexplained Mysteries. (2025-07-04). Retrieved from Unexplained Mysteries.
Metadata
Keywords: Velvet Sundown, AI music, music industry, authenticity, hoax, Andrew Frelon, Spotify, generative AI