Image via Holding Absence Facebook Page
Cardiff-based rock band Holding Absence has found itself at the center of an increasingly relevant debate within the music industry, after an AI-generated group modeled on their sound recently surpassed their Spotify streaming numbers.
Frontman Lucas Woodland addressed the issue publicly on September 30, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “So, an AI ‘band’ who cite us as an influence (i.e., it’s modelled off our music) have just overtaken us on Spotify, in only TWO months. It’s shocking, it’s disheartening, it’s insulting—most importantly—it’s a wake-up call.”
Woodland’s comments reflect growing unease among artists regarding the rise of artificially generated music. He urged listeners to “oppose AI music,” warning that if left unchecked, such technology could threaten the existence of independent bands and musicians.
The controversy arrives amid Spotify’s ongoing attempts to regulate AI-generated content on its platform. The company claims to have removed approximately 75 million tracks in the past year for being “spammy” or “low quality.” However, the extent to which such measures will address the ethical and creative concerns raised by artists remains uncertain.
The AI project in question, known as Bleeding Verse, emerged in mid-2025 and describes itself as using “AI-assisted instrumentation and vocals” to produce emotionally driven, post-hardcore music. On social media, Bleeding Verse cites Holding Absence and Dayseeker as primary influences, claiming to “blend ambient textures, soaring vocals, and poetic lyricism to explore grief, identity, and healing.”
Since its debut, Bleeding Verse has released a full-length album titled I Became What You Broke and an EP, The Anatomy of Hurt. The project currently draws more than 897,000 monthly Spotify listeners, surpassing Holding Absence’s total of 847,000. Its leading track, ‘If You Loved Me Then’, has amassed over 2.6 million streams since July 2025.
By comparison, Holding Absence, formed in 2015, has built a dedicated global following over the course of several releases and international tours. Their 2021 single ‘Afterlife’ remains their most-streamed track to date, with nearly 90 million plays.
The situation underscores the complex intersection of artistry, technology, and authenticity in the streaming era. While AI tools continue to expand creative possibilities, their growing presence in commercial music raises pressing questions about ownership, originality, and the value of human expression. As Woodland and Holding Absence continue to advocate for ethical boundaries in music technology, one truth remains clear: algorithms can replicate a sound, but in doing so, they undermine the lived experience behind it.
