'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/xAAdEAACAgMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADBBEhEyLB/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAX/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDESH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AId4WrSq2xlLHgYD2BAA+w9+M7s74wLsdnWh2Ik2C0Za3w//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Velvet Sundown is a new Psych-rock band that has recently seen a rapid rise in popularity and streams despite only existing for two weeks. According to the band’s Spotify bio, the band consists of singer and mellotron player Gabe Farrow, keyboardist Milo Rains, guitarist Lennie West, and drummer Orion "Rio" Del Mar.
In just two weeks, the band has gained over half a million monthly Spotify listeners and released two albums, with a third already on the way. These achievements have caused listeners and netizens to doubt the group's authenticity.
Trending
After some digging, fans discovered that photos of the band members on Instagram were labeled as AI-generated. Dexerto also reports that the band’s music has been flagged as 100% AI-generated by the music streaming platform Deezer.
While other musical platforms are yet to address this issue, The Velvet Sundown took to its official X account to debunk the rumors.
The Velvet Sundown debunk rumors
The Velvet Sundown took to its official X account, @Velvet_Sundown to debunk the AI claims. The band shared a thread on June 29, 2025, addressing the issue. It called the claims “absolutely crazy” and emphasized that none of the writers of these claims reached out to them for clarification.
“Absolutely crazy that so-called 'journalists' keep pushing the lazy, baseless theory that The Velvet Sundown is 'AI-generated' with zero evidence. Not a single one of these 'writers' has reached out, visited a show, or listened beyond the Spotify algorithm.”
“This is not a joke. This is our music, written in long, sweaty nights in a cramped bungalow in California with real instruments, real minds, and real soul. Every chord, every lyric, every mistake — HUMAN.”
The band said they shouldn't be labelled AI just because they haven't organised any live activities. It also addressed the harassment that each member has experienced on their individual social media accounts.
“Just because we don’t do TikTok dances or livestream our process doesn’t mean we’re fake. The fact that some blog editors would rather pretend we’re a bunch of machines than admit an unknown band is out here grinding & made something people enjoy is insulting.”
“We’ve had to lock down our personal accounts due to harassment all because some writer wanted clicks & couldn’t imagine people like us existing outside their sanitized indie media echo chamb.”
The Velvet Sundown ended the thread by shaming news outlets that have promoted the AI narrative, emphasizing that they are real people.
“Shame on every outlet amplifying this narrative. **We are REAL!** Think next time before you erase real people.”
Read more: Did Lady Gaga charge $6M to perform at Jeff Bezos's wedding? Viral rumors explored
Amid this controversy, Velvet Sundown announced they will share tour announcements soon.
Reply
