Musicians risk being ‘AI-brushed’ from history as fake bands flood streaming platforms

A group of acclaimed Scottish songwriters and performers has warned musicians risk being ‘AI-brushed’ out of existence unless urgent action is taken by the music industry and government to protect human creativity from artificial intelligence.

Tumbling Souls – a Scots supergroup featuring members of 90s indie darlings Astrid, trad favourites Hò-Rò, and festival stalwarts Boys of Summer – have spoken out ahead of the release of their human made new single 1995, calling on music lovers to support artists made of flesh and blood, not code.

Their warning follows the meteoric rise of AI made The Velvet Sundown, which has racked up more than 750,000 listeners on Spotify in just one month – despite having no live presence, no social media footprint.

A spokesman for the digital project last night revealed it was a “hoax” created using AI-generator Suno – generating fake images, music and names.

Tumbling Souls lead vocalist and co-founder Willie Campbell said the situation should alarm anyone who values real music made by real people.

He said. “As if releasing new music wasn’t hard enough, now we have streaming royalties going to someone who’s cleverly prompted an algorithm – duping hundreds of thousands into thinking this is a real band.

“Meanwhile, for artists like us, there’s no income from our first thousand streams. That’s a brutal reality.

“We’re pouring in our own money and time – writing, recording, juggling jobs and new babies – just to get the music made. And now we’re up against this kind of thing.”

Artists often struggle to get playlisted on Spotify or played on radio without the support of an army of pluggers, promoters, or being on specialist platforms.

But the new AI model means they are also left competing with bots that don’t sleep, don’t tour, or need to get paid.

“Its hard to get a break as it is without this. That’s not looking for sympathy, it’s just pointing out that there are already enough challenges in doing what we love.”

“Technology is amazing when it supports progress, but this is different. If the industry isn’t careful – we’re looking at a future where people simply can’t keep making music.”

He added: “We’re lucky we still can and we just hope people enjoy the new song the way we’ve created it, that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.” 

The Tumbling Souls’ new single 1995, released this Friday, 4 July, on Lewis-based Wee Studio Records. They are also playing live at HebCelt Festival in Stornoway which takes place between 16 and 19 July.