Hotline TNT exits Spotify for Raspberry Moon Bandcamp telethon

Hotline TNT announced a decisive shift in its distribution, pulling its music from Spotify and staging a 24-hour livestream event to connect with fans and promote Bandcamp sales of its latest album, Raspberry Moon. The New York–based indie outfit, fronted by Will Anderson, said the streaming service no longer aligned with the band’s values, joining a rising cadre of artists who have cited concerns about the platform’s ties to defense technology and AI-driven military software.

The band's announcement follows a broader exodus among independent acts that have cited perceived ethical conflicts with Spotify’s leadership and investment patterns. Several prominent groups have left or paused releases in response to revelations that Spotify’s cofounder, Daniel Ek, is associated with Helsing, a Munich-based firm developing drones and artificial intelligence for military applications. In this climate, Hotline TNT asserted a principled stance: “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 bands values in any way. A cooler world is possible.” The...