The Velvet Sundown Mystery: Real Band or AI Hoax?
The music world is buzzing about The Velvet Sundown, a psychedelic rock band that’s taken Spotify by storm with over 500,000 monthly listeners in just weeks. But there’s a catch—are they a real band, or an elaborate AI-generated scam? A recent YouTube video titled “PROOF The Velvet Sundown Is 100% REAL! AI SCAM? Nope” dives into this controversy, and we’re breaking it down for you.
The Viral Video Breaking Down the Drama
In the video, the creator explores The Velvet Sundown’s official X account, which has been at the center of the debate. The band’s profile, with only 98 followers, retweeted the creator’s previous video, claiming, “We definitely exist, you all, and we don’t use AI.” Yet, the video points out that their promotional photos scream AI-generated, with that telltale polished, uncanny look. The creator notes their Spotify link is the only external connection, with no website or verified blue checkmark, raising red flags.
The video highlights the band’s X posts, where they insist they’re “just regular dudes who love music” and criticize journalists for not reaching out. They’ve even responded to outlets like The Daily Mail and music analyst Rick Beato, who questioned their authenticity. The creator speculates this could be a genius marketing ploy: pretend to be AI to gain free publicity, then reveal the “real” band later. Or, it might just be a company or individual trolling the internet.
Why The Velvet Sundown Sparks Suspicion
The band’s rapid rise is unusual. They’ve released two albums, Floating On Echoes and Dust And Silence, in under a month, with a third, Paper Sun Rebellion, reportedly on the way. Their Spotify bio lists four members—Gabe Farrow, Lennie West, Milo Rains, and Orion “Rio” Del Mar—but there’s no trace of them online beyond the band’s Instagram, which started on June 27, 2025. Deezer has flagged their music as potentially AI-generated, and their images, like a spoof of Queen’s album cover, look suspiciously artificial.
The video also notes the creator’s own X video about the band got 6,540 views—far more than expected—despite the band’s small following. This suggests possible algorithmic boosting or manipulation, a concern echoed by outlets like Rolling Stone, which reported the band’s music was created using Suno’s AI tool.
Is It a Marketing Stunt or Something Else?
The creator floats a theory: what if The Velvet Sundown is a real band faking an AI persona for attention? The band’s X posts, like “Not AI, but thanks for playing,” and their engagement with media suggest a calculated effort to stir controversy. Billboard called it an “art hoax” and “trolling,” with spokesperson Andrew Frelon admitting to using Suno’s Persona feature for some tracks. This aligns with the video’s point that the music feels like an “afterthought” to the experiment.
However, the lack of a website, gig dates, or verifiable band member info leans toward an AI-driven project. MusicRadar noted that the band’s success highlights issues with streaming platforms’ transparency, as Spotify hasn’t commented on their verified status.
Watch the Video and Join the Debate
Check out the full video below to see the creator’s deep dive into The Velvet Sundown’s X account and their cryptic posts. It’s a wild ride into one of 2025’s biggest music mysteries.
What do you think? Is The Velvet Sundown a real band pulling off a marketing masterclass, or an AI hoax that’s fooled thousands? Drop your thoughts in the comments and follow the creator on X for updates on this unfolding saga.
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