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Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How a Canadian's AI hoax duped the media and propelled a 'band' to streaming success
A Canadian who duped journalists in an elaborate AI music hoax says he apologizes to anyone hurt by his experiment but that it's been "too fascinating" to turn away from. A man using the pseudonym Andrew Frelon posed as the spokesperson for a band called The Velvet Sundown — which he later said he had no involvement with — creating a media frenzy that propelled the AI-assisted "band" to a million monthly listeners on Spotify. He spoke with CBC News over the phone Friday on condition that his real name not be revealed. CBC News agreed not to use his real name because he fears harassment based on the hateful messages he's received online, and worries he would lose work if identified. The sticky online saga began when the band appeared on music streaming platforms several weeks ago and amassed hundreds of thousands of streams from two full-length albums. Its blend of laid-back 1970s-inspired rock and modern indie pop appeared on several popular Spotify playlists, including one featuring Vietnam War songs. But savvy listeners noticed something was off. The band's supposed members had no digital footprint, and there was no record of them ever having performed live. The album art and profile photo, featuring four shaggy-haired rockers, also carried hallmarks of generative AI. But as the controversy gained steam, an account on social media platform X purporting to represent the band emphatically denied that any of the music was created by artificial intelligence, calling the accusations "lazy" and "baseless." CBC reached out to the X account on Wednesday and attempted to arrange an interview through a Gmail account purporting to represent the band. Then, a man calling himself Andrew Frelon told Rolling Stone, in an article that was published online later that day, that he is behind The Velvet Sundown and the X account, and that he used generative AI platform Suno to create the songs. He called the project an "art hoax." WATCH | Expert speaks on AI regulation: But just as the mystery appeared to be solved, a different X account linked to the official Velvet Sundown Spotify page posted a statement saying Frelon has nothing to do with the band. "Someone is attempting to hijack the identity of The Velvet Sundown," said the statement, which also appeared on the band's Spotify and Instagram accounts on Thursday. That same day, Frelon, who gave the Rolling Stone interview, posted a lengthy blog confirming he had nothing to do with the band and that nearly everything he told the magazine, including his name, was a lie. The actual band's identity was once again a mystery. It turned out the hoax was, in fact, part of a bigger hoax. Speaking with CBC News on Friday, Frelon maintained that he has "zero" connection to the Velvet Sundown. Asked about his motivation for maintaining such a complicated ruse, Frelon said the way the whole thing has played out has become like "artistic jet fuel." "There's so many weird cultural, technical things at play here. It's too fascinating of a mystery for me to turn away from," he said. The real person behind Andrew Frelon is an expert on web platform safety and policy issues, with extensive experience using generative AI. He was born in the United States but lives in Canada. Several major American publications have interviewed him about his other AI projects and safety and policy issues work. CBC News verified his identity through screen shots and a Signal video chat. Frelon sent screen shots of his correspondence with Rolling Stone to confirm he was the person who did that interview. Frelon said he attempted last year to monetize his own AI music project with a friend. Certain that The Velvet Sundown was generated by AI, and surprised by its seemingly overnight success, he decided to become the band's de-facto publicist as a "social engineering" experiment. To further sow confusion, Frelon shared posts made by the official Velvet Sundown X account, to intentionally make it look like it was connected to the account he runs. He also generated and posted AI "photos" of the band in various settings and scenarios, and said he used ChatGPT when initially responding to reporters. Part of his intention with the Velvet Sundown experiment, he said, was blurring reality and trying to see how diligently members of the media would work to verify his identity. "I'm really exploiting the uncertainty," he said. "And I think that's the art." His experiment also highlighted the ease of creating deceptive content and the speed with which it spreads. Frelon said he ultimately hopes to advance the conversation around generative AI, and its risks and benefits. WATCH | Performers want protection against AI: In the process, however, he said he's received a flood of hateful messages and acknowledged that the prank has upset some people. "I didn't mean to do it maliciously, although obviously some of the techniques I used were underhanded and not very cool," he said. "I recognize that, and I apologize for those people affected." Frelon's hoax supercharged The Velvet Sundown's success; the band's audience has grown by about 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify since his hoax started, hitting one million on Saturday. In yet another twist, the band's official X account admitted on Saturday to its use of AI after playing coy for weeks, saying in a social media statement it is a "synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualized with the support of artificial intelligence." It is still not clear who is behind The Velvet Sundown, and its X account has not responded to interview requests from CBC News. Frelon said he received a message from The Velvet Sundown's X account on Saturday, insisting he rename his account and delete all references to the band being "100% human-generated." Frelon's X page is now marked as a "parody" account. AI-generated electronic music, and AI songs mimicking existing artists, have become commonplace, but AI "bands" are a newer phenomenon. Laszlo Tamasi, the man behind hard-rock act The Devil Inside, which has millions of Spotify streams, admitted in June he uses AI to make the music and generate the band's imagery, after fans and music writers raised questions. Other popular artists, like "dark country" act Aventhis and provocative soul singer Nick Hustles, have similarly been revealed to be AI creations with behind-the-scenes input from humans. Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter Ian Janes, who had his own battle with AI music after a seemingly AI-generated project popped up on Spotify using his name, said in some ways, the music industry has set the stage for an AI takeover by relying so heavily on technology-assisted techniques like quantizing and pitch-correcting. He said listeners have become so accustomed to technology-aided "perfection" in recorded music that when they hear an AI-generated song, it might seem indistinguishable from something made by real people. Conversely, when a human voice goes out of key, or a song speeds up or slows down, people might perceive that as an error. "The conditioning of our ears to algorithmic perfection in music has set the stage for AI to be poised to just take that job from us," Janes said. The Velvet Sundown initially raised suspicions in part because its name seemed derivative of acts like the Velvet Underground and Sunset Rubdown, and its song titles and lyrics also seemed to lack originality. Its most-streamed song, Dust on the Wind, for example, recalls the 1977 Kansas hit Dust in the Wind. But Alexander Olson, a senior research associate at the University of Toronto's faculty of applied science and engineering who researches AI, said it's becoming increasingly challenging for the average person to identify AI in all mediums. WATCH | How artificial intelligence impacts creative industries: "It's made even harder in this setting, because a lot of people are relying on Spotify to choose songs for them and to make those recommendations," he said. Winnipeg-based music critic Darryl Sterdan calls the Velvet Sundown's music "generic" and "forgettable," and said AI is not yet at the point where it can reproduce the soul and "indefinable humanity" behind worthwhile songs. But he predicts it won't be long before AI generates a genuine chart-topping global pop hit, ultimately forcing institutions like the Grammys and Junos to "formally reward" AI creations in a bid to remain relevant. "Then, the deluge will truly begin," he said.
CBC
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
How a Canadian's AI hoax duped the media and propelled a 'band' to streaming success
Social Sharing A Canadian who duped journalists in an elaborate AI music hoax says he apologizes to anyone hurt by his experiment but that it's been "too fascinating" to turn away from. A man using the pseudonym Andrew Frelon posed as the spokesperson for a band called The Velvet Sundown — which he later said he had no involvement with — creating a media frenzy that propelled the AI-assisted "band" to a million monthly listeners on Spotify. He spoke with CBC News over the phone Friday on condition that his real name not be revealed. CBC News agreed not to use his real name because he fears harassment based on the hateful messages he's received online, and worries he would lose work if identified. The sticky online saga began when the band appeared on music streaming platforms several weeks ago and amassed hundreds of thousands of streams from two full-length albums. Its blend of laid-back 1970s-inspired rock and modern indie pop appeared on several popular Spotify playlists, including one featuring Vietnam War songs. But savvy listeners noticed something was off. The band's supposed members had no digital footprint, and there was no record of them ever having performed live. The album art and profile photo, featuring four shaggy-haired rockers, also carried hallmarks of generative AI. But as the controversy gained steam, an account on social media platform X purporting to represent the band emphatically denied that any of the music was created by artificial intelligence, calling the accusations "lazy" and "baseless." CBC reached out to the X account on Wednesday and attempted to arrange an interview through a Gmail account purporting to represent the band. Then, a man calling himself Andrew Frelon told Rolling Stone, in an article that was published online later that day, that he is behind The Velvet Sundown and the X account, and that he used generative AI platform Suno to create the songs. He called the project an "art hoax." WATCH | Expert speaks on AI regulation: Why more needs to be done to regulate the use of AI 1 year ago Duration 6:07 New research out of Western University is shining a light on the federal government's use of artificial intelligence through a Tracking Automated Government Register. Joanna Redden, an associate professor of Information and Media Studies and co-director at Starling: Just Technologies. Just Societies. and Data Justice Lab, joined London Morning to talk about the data and concerns about AI use. But just as the mystery appeared to be solved, a different X account linked to the official Velvet Sundown Spotify page posted a statement saying Frelon has nothing to do with the band. "Someone is attempting to hijack the identity of The Velvet Sundown," said the statement, which also appeared on the band's Spotify and Instagram accounts on Thursday. That same day, Frelon, who gave the Rolling Stone interview, posted a lengthy blog confirming he had nothing to do with the band and that nearly everything he told the magazine, including his name, was a lie. The actual band's identity was once again a mystery. It turned out the hoax was, in fact, part of a bigger hoax. 'It's too fascinating of a mystery' Speaking with CBC News on Friday, Frelon maintained that he has "zero" connection to the Velvet Sundown. Asked about his motivation for maintaining such a complicated ruse, Frelon said the way the whole thing has played out has become like "artistic jet fuel." "There's so many weird cultural, technical things at play here. It's too fascinating of a mystery for me to turn away from," he said. The real person behind Andrew Frelon is an expert on web platform safety and policy issues, with extensive experience using generative AI. He was born in the United States but lives in Canada. Several major American publications have interviewed him about his other AI projects and safety and policy issues work. CBC News verified his identity through screen shots and a Signal video chat. Frelon sent screen shots of his correspondence with Rolling Stone to confirm he was the person who did that interview. Frelon said he attempted last year to monetize his own AI music project with a friend. Certain that The Velvet Sundown was generated by AI, and surprised by its seemingly overnight success, he decided to become the band's de-facto publicist as a "social engineering" experiment. To further sow confusion, Frelon shared posts made by the official Velvet Sundown X account, to intentionally make it look like it was connected to the account he runs. He also generated and posted AI "photos" of the band in various settings and scenarios, and said he used ChatGPT when initially responding to reporters. Part of his intention with the Velvet Sundown experiment, he said, was blurring reality and trying to see how diligently members of the media would work to verify his identity. "I'm really exploiting the uncertainty," he said. "And I think that's the art." His experiment also highlighted the ease of creating deceptive content and the speed with which it spreads. Frelon said he ultimately hopes to advance the conversation around generative AI, and its risks and benefits. WATCH | Performers want protection against AI: More than 200 performers plead for protections against unethical AI 1 year ago Duration 2:02 More than 200 performers, including Sheryl Crow and the estate of Bob Marley, have written a letter pleading for protection against the unethical use of artificial intelligence, such as the unauthorized reproduction of their voices and likenesses. In the process, however, he said he's received a flood of hateful messages and acknowledged that the prank has upset some people. "I didn't mean to do it maliciously, although obviously some of the techniques I used were underhanded and not very cool," he said. "I recognize that, and I apologize for those people affected." Frelon's hoax supercharged The Velvet Sundown's success; the band's audience has grown by about 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify since his hoax started, hitting one million on Saturday. In yet another twist, the band's official X account admitted on Saturday to its use of AI after playing coy for weeks, saying in a social media statement it is a "synthetic music project guided by human creative direction, and composed, voiced, and visualized with the support of artificial intelligence." It is still not clear who is behind The Velvet Sundown, and its X account has not responded to interview requests from CBC News. Frelon said he received a message from The Velvet Sundown's X account on Saturday, insisting he rename his account and delete all references to the band being "100% human-generated." Frelon's X page is now marked as a "parody" account. AI 'bands' infiltrate streaming platforms AI-generated electronic music, and AI songs mimicking existing artists, have become commonplace, but AI "bands" are a newer phenomenon. Laszlo Tamasi, the man behind hard-rock act The Devil Inside, which has millions of Spotify streams, admitted in June he uses AI to make the music and generate the band's imagery, after fans and music writers raised questions. Other popular artists, like "dark country" act Aventhis and provocative soul singer Nick Hustles, have similarly been revealed to be AI creations with behind-the-scenes input from humans. Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter Ian Janes, who had his own battle with AI music after a seemingly AI-generated project popped up on Spotify using his name, said in some ways, the music industry has set the stage for an AI takeover by relying so heavily on technology-assisted techniques like quantizing and pitch-correcting. He said listeners have become so accustomed to technology-aided "perfection" in recorded music that when they hear an AI-generated song, it might seem indistinguishable from something made by real people. Conversely, when a human voice goes out of key, or a song speeds up or slows down, people might perceive that as an error. "The conditioning of our ears to algorithmic perfection in music has set the stage for AI to be poised to just take that job from us," Janes said. The Velvet Sundown initially raised suspicions in part because its name seemed derivative of acts like the Velvet Underground and Sunset Rubdown, and its song titles and lyrics also seemed to lack originality. Its most-streamed song, Dust on the Wind, for example, recalls the 1977 Kansas hit Dust in the Wind. But Alexander Olson, a senior research associate at the University of Toronto's faculty of applied science and engineering who researches AI, said it's becoming increasingly challenging for the average person to identify AI in all mediums. WATCH | How artificial intelligence impacts creative industries: How is AI affecting the creative media industry? 1 year ago Duration 10:10 "It's made even harder in this setting, because a lot of people are relying on Spotify to choose songs for them and to make those recommendations," he said. Winnipeg-based music critic Darryl Sterdan calls the Velvet Sundown's music "generic" and "forgettable," and said AI is not yet at the point where it can reproduce the soul and "indefinable humanity" behind worthwhile songs. But he predicts it won't be long before AI generates a genuine chart-topping global pop hit, ultimately forcing institutions like the Grammys and Junos to "formally reward" AI creations in a bid to remain relevant. "Then, the deluge will truly begin," he said.
Geeky Gadgets
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
Create Stunning Tracks in Minutes: How Suno AI 4.5 is Changing Music Forever
What if creating music wasn't limited to those with years of training or access to expensive equipment? Imagine crafting a melancholic ballad or a quirky hip-hop track about sea turtles—all with just a few prompts. Thanks to advancements in AI, tools like Suno AI 4.5 are transforming this vision into reality. Positioned as one of the most accessible platforms in the emerging field of AI music generation, Suno AI 4.5 offers a unique blend of simplicity and creative potential. Whether you're a hobbyist curious about experimenting with soundscapes or a seasoned creator looking for a fresh approach, this tool promises to lower the barriers to music creation while sparking new artistic possibilities. In this demo, Matt Vid Pro AI shows how Suno AI 4.5 enables users to generate music tailored to specific moods, genres, and themes—all without requiring technical expertise. You'll discover its standout features, such as prompt-based music generation and auto-generated lyrics, and gain insights into its strengths and limitations. How does it compare to competitors like Udio, and where does it shine most? By the end, you'll have a clearer sense of whether Suno AI 4.5 aligns with your creative ambitions. For now, consider this: could a tool this intuitive redefine what it means to be a music creator? Suno AI 4.5 Overview The AI Music Generation Landscape AI music generation remains a specialized area compared to more widely adopted AI applications like image generation or natural language processing. Key players in this niche include Suno AI, Udio, and Refusion, alongside emerging contributions from major tech companies such as Google and 11 Labs. Despite growing interest, the field lacks significant open source research, making proprietary tools like Suno AI 4.5 essential for those eager to explore AI-driven music creation. While competitors like Udio offer advanced customization options, these often require a higher level of technical expertise, which can be a barrier for casual users. Suno AI, on the other hand, prioritizes accessibility, aiming to lower the entry threshold for hobbyists and newcomers. This focus on simplicity and ease of use sets it apart in a competitive landscape, making it an appealing choice for those who value intuitive tools over complex configurations. Suno AI 4.5: Key Features and Accessibility Suno AI 4.5 is designed to streamline the music creation process, offering a balance between simplicity and quality. Its user-friendly interface and fast generation times make it particularly attractive to beginners, while its core features encourage creative exploration. However, access to its most advanced functionalities requires a Pro or Premier subscription, which may deter users who prefer free or open source alternatives. Key features of Suno AI 4.5 include: Prompt-based music generation , allowing users to create tracks tailored to specific themes, genres, or moods. , allowing users to create tracks tailored to specific themes, genres, or moods. Auto-generated lyrics that adapt to user input, ranging from humorous to serious tones. that adapt to user input, ranging from humorous to serious tones. An intuitive interface that ensures even those with no prior experience can navigate the tool effortlessly. These features make Suno AI 4.5 an engaging platform for experimentation, allowing users to explore a variety of musical styles without requiring extensive technical knowledge. Its accessibility encourages creativity, making it a valuable tool for casual users and hobbyists alike. How Suno AI 4.5 Simplifies Music Creation Watch this video on YouTube. Uncover more insights about AI music generation in previous articles we have written. Performance and Creative Potential Suno AI 4.5 delivers music quickly, with results that are well-suited for casual listening, creative projects, or background tracks. While the output may not reach studio-grade quality, it strikes a practical balance between ease of use and performance. The lyrics generated by the model often lean toward humor or lightheartedness, but they can adapt to more serious tones when prompted, offering flexibility for diverse creative needs. The synthetic vocals are generally realistic, though occasional high-pitched tones can detract from the overall experience. Instrumentation, while functional, lacks the depth and complexity of professional compositions. These limitations suggest that Suno AI 4.5 is best suited for basic projects or as a starting point for creative exploration, rather than for users seeking intricate or highly polished arrangements. Genre Versatility and Creative Range One of Suno AI 4.5's strengths lies in its ability to generate music across a wide range of genres and themes. Examples of its versatility include: Melancholic, tech-inspired tracks that evoke futuristic or introspective moods. that evoke futuristic or introspective moods. Humorous hip-hop songs centered on unconventional topics, such as sea turtles or quirky anecdotes. centered on unconventional topics, such as sea turtles or quirky anecdotes. Futuristic country blues compositions that blend traditional elements with modern influences. The model aligns closely with user prompts, delivering music that matches the intended mood or style. However, some outputs may feel overly compressed or lack creative nuance, particularly in more complex compositions. Despite these occasional shortcomings, Suno AI 4.5 excels at creating atmospheric tracks and catchy beats, making it a strong choice for generating unique soundscapes or background music. Comparison with Competitors When compared to competitors like Udio and Refusion, Suno AI 4.5 distinguishes itself through its accessibility and consistent performance. Udio, for instance, offers advanced customization options that allow experienced users to fine-tune their creations. However, this level of control often comes with a steeper learning curve, making it less suitable for beginners or casual users. Suno AI's simplicity and reliability make it an attractive option for those who prioritize ease of use. Its ability to generate quality music without requiring extensive technical expertise sets it apart in the AI music generation space. For users seeking a straightforward and dependable tool, Suno AI 4.5 offers a compelling alternative to more complex platforms. Opportunities for Enhancement While Suno AI 4.5 is a robust and user-friendly tool, there are several areas where it could improve to better meet the needs of its users: Adjustable parameters for creativity and randomness , similar to those offered by competitors like Udio, could enable users to experiment with different styles and levels of complexity. , similar to those offered by competitors like Udio, could enable users to experiment with different styles and levels of complexity. Enhanced instrumental depth and reduced muddling during dense sections would improve the overall quality of compositions, making them more appealing to advanced users. and reduced muddling during dense sections would improve the overall quality of compositions, making them more appealing to advanced users. Refined synthetic vocals to minimize high-pitched tones, resulting in a smoother and more polished listening experience. Implementing these enhancements could broaden Suno AI 4.5's appeal, making it a more versatile tool for both casual and advanced users. By addressing these areas, the platform could solidify its position as a leading option in the AI music generation market. The Role of Suno AI 4.5 in AI Music Creation Suno AI 4.5 represents a significant step forward in making AI-generated music accessible to a broader audience. Its intuitive design, prompt-based creativity, and consistent results make it an excellent starting point for beginners, while its versatility encourages experimentation across a variety of musical styles. Although it has limitations in terms of instrumental complexity and vocal quality, it remains a practical and enjoyable option for casual users and hobbyists. As the field of AI music generation continues to grow, tools like Suno AI 4.5 will play an essential role in shaping its future. With further refinements and expanded features, it has the potential to become a leading platform in the industry, empowering users to explore new creative possibilities with ease. Media Credit: MattVidPro AI Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
