Godspeed You! Black Emperor Remove Music From Streaming Services

jadis · 08-20-2025, 03:21 AM

The Canadian post-rock band has pulled its discography from Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music, with Apple Music soon to follow

What do y'all think? I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. Yes the platforms suck but then I'm sure there are always arguments for not cutting yourself off from the center of the action.

I've also always been in two minds about Godspeed's main man, Efrim Menuck. On the one hand, he's an anarchist simpleton like many musicians in Montreal (and elsewhere), on the other hand the music is very good.

Drjohnrock · 08-20-2025, 03:17 PM

I'm not a fan of streaming services. I was on Rdio for awhile before it ended. I had a free Spotify account I never used and later deleted. The only people who make money from Spotify and the like are Spotify, record companies, and maybe the biggest acts who have the leverage to demand more money from the services instead of the minuscule part of a penny per play that totally rips off musicians.

As for Godspeed, what I've heard of their music is listenable but hasn't impressed me very much. A friend of mine is a huge fan who has seen them live a number of times. He tells me they're the loudest band he's ever seen live.

jadis · 08-20-2025, 04:40 PM

Speaking purely as a consumer, there are advantages to the platforms. You get lots and lots of music at a swipe... Pretty convenient tbh.

I'm on your friend's side here. I do think they're a great band or rather a collective. It's true that they are very loud and intense live, and have become increasingly louder down the years. Not sure it's always for the best musically, their quieter moments can be at least as mesmerising as the noise. But yeah they're very powerful live.

Vandal X · 08-27-2025, 04:41 PM

I think considering their politics this is very much in line. And I think they have enough of a following that this move will have very little impact. I caught them a couple years ago at the end of a seven day residency in San Francisco and it blew me away how many people I talked to who went to all seven shows.

I think we will be seeing more and more artists following theirs and Xui Xui steps

Buckeye Randy · 08-28-2025, 01:16 AM

I love Spotify, best way to check out new music plus share music with friends.

If bands want to pull music, that's their choice.

The song Deadstick by King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard is currently greyed out on my saved songs on Spotify. I currently have it as my 4th best song of 2025.

Actually, their entire catalog is missing! If I go six months without hearing the band then I'll forget and probably won't buy a concert ticket. Even if I remember, I doubt I'll plop down $50 for an act when I can't listen to their songs. It's a choice somebody made, good luck!

Tristan_Geoff · 09-03-2025, 04:48 PM

i feel that convenience will continue to be the downward spiral towards complacency for many. if it's all that hard to buy a CD or at least make a digital library, or seek things outside of the streaming model, how deeply are you really engaging with the art anyways?

jadis · 09-04-2025, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tristan_Geoff

i feel that convenience will continue to be the downward spiral towards complacency for many. if it's all that hard to buy a CD or at least make a digital library, or seek things outside of the streaming model, how deeply are you really engaging with the art anyways?

Legitimate question, I don't know the answer

Vandal X · 09-04-2025, 11:04 AM

I would say engaged but not on an intimate level.

I use a streaming service for my radio show. It's just easier to carry a laptop into the station than a crate of vinyl records

There is something really special about finding something in the wild....whether it be a book or art or vinyl/CD/Tape

08-20-2025, 03:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
jadis Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: dont ask Posts: 1,706	Godspeed You! Black Emperor Remove Music From Streaming Services The Canadian post-rock band has pulled its discography from Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music, with Apple Music soon to follow What do y'all think? I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other. Yes the platforms suck but then I'm sure there are always arguments for not cutting yourself off from the center of the action. I've also always been in two minds about Godspeed's main man, Efrim Menuck. On the one hand, he's an anarchist simpleton like many musicians in Montreal (and elsewhere), on the other hand the music is very good. __________________ Wireless enthusiast intercepts government secret radio band and uncovers secrets and scandals of deceitful type proportions

08-20-2025, 04:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
jadis Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: dont ask Posts: 1,706	Speaking purely as a consumer, there are advantages to the platforms. You get lots and lots of music at a swipe... Pretty convenient tbh. I'm on your friend's side here. I do think they're a great band or rather a collective. It's true that they are very loud and intense live, and have become increasingly louder down the years. Not sure it's always for the best musically, their quieter moments can be at least as mesmerising as the noise. But yeah they're very powerful live. __________________ Wireless enthusiast intercepts government secret radio band and uncovers secrets and scandals of deceitful type proportions

08-28-2025, 01:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Buckeye Randy Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 387	I love Spotify, best way to check out new music plus share music with friends. If bands want to pull music, that's their choice. The song Deadstick by King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard is currently greyed out on my saved songs on Spotify. I currently have it as my 4th best song of 2025. Actually, their entire catalog is missing! If I go six months without hearing the band then I'll forget and probably won't buy a concert ticket. Even if I remember, I doubt I'll plop down $50 for an act when I can't listen to their songs. It's a choice somebody made, good luck! __________________ Billy Don't Be A Porter

08-20-2025, 03:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Drjohnrock Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 704	I'm not a fan of streaming services. I was on Rdio for awhile before it ended. I had a free Spotify account I never used and later deleted. The only people who make money from Spotify and the like are Spotify, record companies, and maybe the biggest acts who have the leverage to demand more money from the services instead of the minuscule part of a penny per play that totally rips off musicians. As for Godspeed, what I've heard of their music is listenable but hasn't impressed me very much. A friend of mine is a huge fan who has seen them live a number of times. He tells me they're the loudest band he's ever seen live.

08-27-2025, 04:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Vandal X Groupie Join Date: Aug 2025 Posts: 21	I think considering their politics this is very much in line. And I think they have enough of a following that this move will have very little impact. I caught them a couple years ago at the end of a seven day residency in San Francisco and it blew me away how many people I talked to who went to all seven shows. I think we will be seeing more and more artists following theirs and Xui Xui steps

09-04-2025, 11:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Vandal X Groupie Join Date: Aug 2025 Posts: 21	I would say engaged but not on an intimate level. I use a streaming service for my radio show. It's just easier to carry a laptop into the station than a crate of vinyl records There is something really special about finding something in the wild....whether it be a book or art or vinyl/CD/Tape