This Canadian artist is leaving Spotify — but he says not everyone has that luxury
Danny Michel is one of many musicians pulling their songs from the streaming giant amid row with Neil Young
Danny Michel says his departure from Spotify has been a long time coming.
The Ontario musician has requested that the streaming giant remove his songs from the platform, following in the footsteps of big name musicians, including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.
Several artists and listeners have been ditching the platform since Young spoke out about COVID-19 misinformation being spread on Joe Rogan's Spotify-exclusive podcast. Rogan and his guests have repeatedly made false claims about vaccines and COVID treatments.
Young forced Spotify to choose between hosting his music or Rogan's podcast. Spotify chose Rogan.
The Los Angeles Times is keeping a running list of musicians and other artists following Young's exodus.
In response to the backlash, Spotify spokesperson Daniel Elk promised the company would unveil a "new effort to combat misinformation," but stressed it's not the streaming service's job to play the role of "content censor."
Rogan, meanwhile, had said he uses his podcast to have conversations with people who have "differing opinions."
Michel says he's long wanted to part ways with the company, but had to wait until he had full control over his own music to make the move — a privilege not every musician shares. Here is part of his conversation with As It Happens host Carol Off.
Why did you decide to take your music off Spotify?
People should know that many musicians maybe don't have this choice. Because if you're signed to a record deal, you're with a label and [have] a contract, and so you don't get to just pick where your music gets placed. You know, the label and stuff is doing that.
I didn't own my entire catalogue a year ago. So now I've got it all back and I am in a comfortable place now where I can choose where I want my music to be shared based on my values.
If they don't care about losing Neil Young, I would assume they don't care that much about me or other artists. And that's a bummer.- Danny Michel, musician
So the issue of what Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have done is they are appalled by Joe Rogan being on Spotify, and being able to say all kinds of not-true things about COVID and about vaccines. Was that behind your decision at all?
It's a very small part of it.
People can debate all day about Neil Young and if Joe Rogan is promoting COVID-19 misinformation or climate change misinformation, or if he is generally a positive force in the world or not.
But for me, what it was was seeing how Spotify chose to react to Neil Young's request, which was, you know: You can have my music or Joe.
And it seems like they just, you know, got out a calculator, did some math, and chose to let Neil Young go. And they said, clear and loud: We don't need you. We don't need your music.
That was kind of heartbreaking to me.… I don't know if that's a home for my music or a safe place for art. I mean, if they don't care about losing Neil Young, I would assume they don't care that much about me or other artists. And that's a bummer.
First of all, we know that [Spotify] paid around $100 million US for the exclusive rights to Rogan's program. But [Spotify spokesperson Daniel Ek] said: Oh, you know, we're looking at this. Maybe we need better balance on Spotify. We need to have other ideas, other viewpoints. Mr. Rogan himself is saying: Maybe I got things wrong. Maybe I should have some other viewpoints.
So it seems to some extent that they might be responding to the criticism. Does that mitigate anything for you?
The fact that they're even saying anything means that they got their cage rattled. I'd be happy to reconsider someday if they made changes and did things different.
Another thing about them that I've always thought was unhealthy that I don't like is this thing where they post everyone's streaming numbers.
I think that we've all learned from social media that, you know, just how many likes you have and things like that is not good for our mental health. And I don't think that's good for, especially young artists, maybe starting out … and I think it creates a competitive environment.
This is art. This isn't a horse race with a stopwatch. I don't want to click on some artist and then see a number that subliminally influences me.... I want to just listen to the song and decide as a person if I like their song.
Watch: Spotify responds to backlash:
You hear even [some artists] who are staying [say they] wish they didn't have to.
Isn't that sad?
Believe me, it's been an excruciating decision for me. Like, it was really, really hard. Because I realize, you know, I look on there and I have thousands of subscribers that subscribe to my music and my songs are in their playlists. And I love those people. I care a lot. I would be nothing without them. So it's really a tough decision.
But I would hope that those people who listen to my music and know what I stand for and what I sing about would understand. I just think there's other options. You know, we can listen to music in all different ways.
What about those young artists just starting out? I mean, what impact do streaming services have on young artists getting into the business?
I guess it can be really beneficial for some and very hard for others. I would imagine it's a really tough go. I mean, it was a tough go in my generation of CDs, too. But you could, you know, sell CDs. I mean, those were the days when people were selling CDs at HMV for $27.99, right?
I feel lucky that I was in that generation, because I live in my home from the days of selling CDs.
So do you think this is just a kind of glitch? A moment in time that Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have raised this issue? Or do you think is this a turning point of any kind? Do you think this will actually have an effect?
I don't know.
I say this with full, full respect to Neil Young. But I mean, it's a little bit of a low-risk move for him because he's at ... the tail-end of a fabulous career. He's not putting out his first album right now. That's a fact.
If people like the Foo Fighters and Adele and you know, if they started doing it, that would be a different thing, I think.
Do you think there is also a role for us — for audiences, for listeners — that may be looking at what Spotify does to your morale and what it does to the industry, that maybe we're the ones that should be pulling the plug?
That's an option for everybody. I think that's happening a lot.
But listen, this is all my personal decision. This is what's right for me. I'm not saying everyone should do this. This is just what felt right for me.
Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Kate McGillivray. Q&A has been edited for length and quality.
