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Vanessa Heins
Sarah Harmer
Streaming
Sarah Harmer Removes Music From Spotify: 'I Don’t Want to Engage with A Company That Invests in AI Military Tech'
Many musicians have been taking their catalogues off the streaming platform following the news of CEO Daniel Ek's investment in an AI weapons company.
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Sarah Harmer is the latest artist removing her music catalogue from Spotify.
This summer, many acts, including Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Chad VanGaalen, Sunnsetter and Fiver have decided to remove their music from Spotify.
In addition to oft-cited concerns about royalties, many have cited military investments made by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek through his investment fund Prima Materia. Since 2021, Prima Materia has been investing in Helsing, a defense company that sells AI software to inform military decisions.
Globally, alternative rock bands Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard all cited Ek's military investments when they departed the platform in recent months.
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The latest is long-running Canadian singer-songwriter Harmer, who took to social media to share her decision.
“I’ve taken my music off Spotify. I don’t want to engage w a company that invests in AI military tech, etc,” Harmer wrote in the post. “and thanks to @artsandcrafts and my management for supporting me in this decision. 🤘🏻” read the caption.
Harmer’s music is still available to stream on Apple Music, Tidal and Bandcamp.
Joining Harmer is Newfoundland and Labrador artist Colleen Powers, who revealed her decision to leave Spotify with CBC News.
Power briefly published her music on the streaming service before removing her catalogue in 2020 due to a lack of financial gain.
“The cheque was for $101, so I immediately became completely irate,” she told the publication.
The news of Ek’s investment vindicated Power’s decision. “He's investing this money into a company that is making kill drones … it's a shame that this is what our music industry has turned into," she said.
Power isn't the only East Coast artist who has left the streaming service. Last week, punk band Snitfit confirmed their departure from Spotify.
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