Band Members Quit After AI Song Revelation – Festival Drops Act

Members of the Norwegian band Vestavind are stepping away from the group after discovering the extent to which artificial intelligence was used to create their music.

Drummer Martin Hystad, a full-time musician for over 15 years based in Oslo who recently returned to the west coast of Norway, had agreed to perform with Vestavind at several festivals this summer.

Band Removed From Festival Lineup

Vestavind gained popularity with hits largely created by the AI app Suno, aside from the lyrics, according to Ole Morten Simonsen, who founded the band. The group was slated to perform both the “AI hits” and other songs as a fully-fledged band at festivals this summer. Following reports from NRK, the Countryfestivalen in Skjåk has removed Vestavind from its lineup.

“We do not want to contribute to AI-produced songs taking over the music industry. Therefore, we have chosen to terminate our collaboration with the band,” the festival said in a press release.

“Didn’t Ask Enough Questions”

Now, two band members – bassist Frode Hammersland and drummer Martin Hystad – are also leaving the project.

“I probably didn’t ask enough questions about the extent to which these songs were AI-created,” Hystad said. “But now it’s clear to me that I can’t stand behind this way of making music.”

NRK has also been in contact with Frode Hammersland, who supports Hystad’s statement.

Both emphasize that there is no bad blood between them and band founder Ole Morten Simonsen.

“A Disgrace”

Musician Erlend Gunstveit has been one of the most vocal critics of the band’s booking, including in a video posted on his Instagram.

“It’s a disgrace to the music industry,” he says in the video.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that people aren’t doing more thorough booking work,” the musician told NRK.

Gunstveit says he has received massive feedback on the video from others in the industry:

“I’ve received messages from audience members, organizers and especially many messages from artists and songwriters. Many are afraid to speak out and criticize this because they are afraid of not being booked and becoming unpopular among organizers.”

The musician believes it is “particularly serious” for young, promising artists who need a stage.

“There aren’t enough places and stages for all the artists who are working incredibly hard every day,” he points out.

Ole Morten Simonsen, who started Vestavind, says they haven’t received any other cancellations so far.

“We were looking forward to playing at the Countryfestivalen in Skjåk, like other festivals we’ve been offered to play at,” he told NRK.

The band must also change its name due to a naming conflict with another band, according to Bømlo-nytt.

Culture Department: “We Take the Concern Seriously”

State Secretary Trude Storheim (Ap) told NRK that the Ministry of Culture and Equality will not interfere with what Norwegian festivals choose to have on their lineups.

“But we understand that this is causing concern in the industry. Festivals are an important arena for musicians, so we understand that this can be frustrating,” she said.

The State Secretary is open to clearer regulations in the future.

She points out that a report from the music committee, which proposes clearer regulations, has been out for consultation. The responses to the consultation are now being reviewed.

“We take the concern seriously,” Storheim said.