A home for artists and listeners who choose values over virality.
FairPlay Music exists to help listeners discover musicians who choose ethics over exposure, community over convenience, and cultural integrity over corporate pressure.
FairPlay Music is a values-aligned music discovery space.
It exists for people who believe:
• Music should be treated as culture, not product
• Artists should have agency over their work
• Convenience should not come at the cost of integrity
• Discovery can be slow, thoughtful, and meaningful
• Community matters more than metrics
This is not a feed.
This is not an algorithm.
This is not a marketplace.
This IS virtual crate digging for artists who’ve chosen to remove their music from Spotify.
If you’re a musician who makes intentional choices about where your work lives—
If you’ve chosen to remove your music from Spotify (or never put it there at all)—
You’re in the right place.
FairPlay Music exists to help listeners find you.
Need more detail?
Read the Artist FAQ →
If you’re tired of being told what to hear—
If you want to support artists more directly—
If you believe your listening choices matter—
This is for you.
FairPlay Music helps you discover musicians whose values align with yours, and then sends you to their music on the platforms you choose.
No purchased playlist placement.
No label games.
Just you and music.
What is FairPlay Music?
FairPlay Music is a public, searchable directory of musicians who have chosen to remove their music from Spotify—or who have chosen not to distribute there at all.That’s the only requirement.We exist to help music fans who are fed up with Spotify find musicians who’ve made the same choice.
Why Spotify?Spotify is currently the largest music streaming platform in the world. Artists leave the platform for many reasons—economic, ethical, political, and creative.For some, it’s about compensation.
For others, it’s about corporate practices.
For others, it’s about power, control, or the direction the industry is moving.FairPlay Music doesn’t exist to argue those reasons.FairPlay Music exists to make visible a choice that is usually invisible: the choice to step away from the world’s biggest music platform.
Do I have to be “independent” to be listed?No.You can be on a label.
You can be self-released.
You can be part of a collective.
You can be anywhere in your career.The only requirement is that your music is not currently available on Spotify.
Do you review or curate submissions?No.We do not review your music.
We do not judge your message.
We do not moderate your lyrics, politics, or artistic intent.
We do not rank or feature artists.We are not tastemakers.We are an aggregator.
What if my music is still on Spotify because of an old distributor or label?If your music is still publicly available on Spotify, we can’t list you yet.Once it’s fully removed, you’re welcome to submit.
What if I return to Spotify in the future?That’s your choice.If you decide to put your music back on Spotify, we simply ask that you let us know so we can remove your listing.This isn’t a punishment.
It’s just about keeping the directory honest.
Does FairPlay Music endorse the content of listed artists?No.FairPlay Music does not endorse, reject, or evaluate the content, messages, or viewpoints expressed in any artist’s work.We list artists based on a single, structural choice: not being on Spotify.
Do I have to agree with your politics or values?No.This is not an ideological test.
This is not a purity test.
This is not a cultural filter.It’s a directory of people who made a similar distribution choice—for their own reasons.
How do listeners use this site?Listeners browse by genre, search by name, and then click through to artists on the platforms those artists choose.We do not host music.
We do not embed feeds.
We do not lock people into anything.We just point.
Is this anti-Spotify?FairPlay Music is not a debate platform.It’s a place that exists because a lot of people have already made a choice.We’re here to make that choice visible.
How much does it cost?Nothing.There are no fees to submit.
There are no subscriptions.
There are no hidden costs
Who runs this?FairPlay Music is a grassroots project started by working musicians who believe artists should have more control over where their work lives.
By listing my music on FairPlayMusic.world, am I giving away any of my rights or publishing?Absolutely not.You retain 100% of your rights, publishing, ownership, and control.FairPlay Music does not claim ownership of anything.
We do not host your music.We do not sell your work.
We do not license your content.We simply link to where your music already lives.
What is FairPlay Music?FairPlay Music is a public directory of musicians who have chosen to remove their music from Spotify—or who have chosen not to distribute there at all.We exist to help music fans who are fed up with Spotify find artists who’ve made the same choice.
Why would I use this instead of Spotify?FairPlay Music is for people who want to:• Support artists more directly
• Discover music intentionally
• Explore outside of algorithmic feeds
• Align their listening habits with their valuesThis is slower, more human discovery.
Do you host or stream music?No.FairPlay Music does not host music.
We are not a streaming service.
We do not embed players.We simply link you to artists on the platforms they’ve chosen.You listen where they are.
What platforms do you link to?Whatever the artist chooses.That can include:• Bandcamp
• Qobuz
• TIDAL
• Apple Music
• Deezer
• YouTube Music / YouTube
• Their own websiteFairPlay Music is platform-agnostic.
We don’t lock you into anything.
How do I discover music here?You can:• Browse by genre
• Search by artist name
• Explore randomly
• Follow links from friendsThere are no algorithms deciding what you should hear.You decide.
Is this anti-Spotify?FairPlay Music isn’t a debate platform.It exists because a lot of artists and listeners have already made a choice.We’re here to make that choice visible—and make discovery easier.
Is this only for political reasons?No.People leave Spotify for many reasons:• Economic
• Ethical
• Creative
• Practical
• PersonalFairPlay Music doesn’t rank those reasons.We just document the choice.
Do you vet or approve the content of artists?No.We do not moderate viewpoints.
We do not evaluate lyrics.
We do not filter politics.
We do not rank voices.Artists are listed based on one thing only:They are not on Spotify.
Can I trust that these artists really aren’t on Spotify?We verify that artists are not currently available on Spotify at the time of submission.If an artist returns to Spotify later, they’re removed from the directory.The goal is honesty, not punishment.
How is this different from a playlist?Playlists are curated.FairPlay Music is not.This is not taste-making.
This is not editorial.
This is not influence.It’s infrastructure.
Do I have to stop using Spotify to use this site?No.We’re not here to tell you what to do.This is about options—not ultimatums.
How much does this cost?Nothing.FairPlay Music is free to use.
Who is this for?People who:• Want more intentional discovery
• Care about artist agency
• Feel conflicted about Spotify
• Want alternatives
• Miss crate-digging
• Like slow internet
• Want to support musicians more directly
How can I support this project?Right now, the best ways are:• Use it
• Share it
• Tell artists about it
• Talk about itIf you want to go deeper, there will be ways later.
Is FairPlay Music a company?No.This is a grassroots project started by working musicians.It’s not VC-backed.
It’s not corporate.
It’s not optimized for growth.It’s optimized for care.
—
Are you an artist looking for more detail?
Read the Artist FAQ →
A growing directory of artists who have chosen to remove their music from Spotify.This is not a feed.
This is not a ranking.
This is a place to browse slowly and discover intentionally.
Artists are listed by band name or surname.
“The” is ignored.
Genres are artist-defined.
FairPlay Music is a grassroots project.
It’s growing slowly, intentionally, and in public.
Built by working musicians.
Questions or submissions?
Contact: [email protected]
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Matthew Calenvox
Genre:Electronic, Ambient, Instrumental
FFO: Brian Eno, Aphex Twins
Matthew Calendex has been writing and recording electronic instrumental music since the 1980’s and 1990’s. Genres include Ambient, Soundscapes, and downtempo. He originally worked with the very first artists and producers in the same genres noted.
Tim Hopkins
Genre:Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Kraftwerk, Boards of Canada
Tim Hopkins is an electronic music maker from Canada. These days, he makes his music with hardware synths, preferably analogue, but he is willing to dabble with other sources. Although Tim makes electronic music, his creations rarely fit the typical model.
Lanny Orbison
I made an album that will only ever exist on vinyl. There are only 2,000 copies. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Those who have one become the keepers of these songs.
Listen on:
Zack Orr
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Folk, Alternative
FFO: Wilco, Paul Simon, Neil Young
Zack Orr sounds like Sigur Rós having drinks with Jeff Tweedy & The National.
Stranded Alien / The NTT
Genre: Rock, Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Boards of Canada, Arcane
Stranded Alien is a synth-rock project, nostalgic to the early 80s. The NT is a funkier side project emulating the music of the mid to late 70s.
Alternative ·
Americana / Country ·
Ambient ·
Classical ·
EDM ·
Electronic ·
Experimental ·
Folk / Singer-Songwriter ·
Hip-Hop / Rap ·
Indie Rock ·
Instrumental ·
Jazz ·
Metal ·
Other ·
Pop ·
Punk / Hardcore ·
R&B / Soul ·
Rock ·
World
Zack Orr
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Folk, Alternative
FFO: Wilco, Paul Simon, Neil Young
Zack Orr sounds like Sigur Rós having drinks with Jeff Tweedy & The National.
Matthew Calenvox
Genre:Electronic, Ambient, Instrumental
FFO: Brian Eno, Aphex Twins
Matthew Calendex has been writing and recording electronic instrumental music since the 1980’s and 1990’s. Genres include Ambient, Soundscapes, and downtempo. He originally worked with the very first artists and producers in the same genres noted.
Lanny Orbison
I made an album that will only ever exist on vinyl. There are only 2,000 copies. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Those who have one become the keepers of these songs.
Listen on:
Matthew Calenvox
Genre:Electronic, Ambient, Instrumental
FFO: Brian Eno, Aphex Twins
Matthew Calendex has been writing and recording electronic instrumental music since the 1980’s and 1990’s. Genres include Ambient, Soundscapes, and downtempo. He originally worked with the very first artists and producers in the same genres noted.
Tim Hopkins
Genre:Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Kraftwerk, Boards of Canada
Tim Hopkins is an electronic music maker from Canada. These days, he makes his music with hardware synths, preferably analogue, but he is willing to dabble with other sources. Although Tim makes electronic music, his creations rarely fit the typical model.
Stranded Alien / The NTT
Genre: Rock, Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Boards of Canada, Arcane
Stranded Alien is a synth-rock project, nostalgic to the early 80s. The NT is a funkier side project emulating the music of the mid to late 70s.
Lanny Orbison
I made an album that will only ever exist on vinyl. There are only 2,000 copies. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Those who have one become the keepers of these songs.
Listen on:
Zack Orr
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Folk, Alternative
FFO: Wilco, Paul Simon, Neil Young
Zack Orr sounds like Sigur Rós having drinks with Jeff Tweedy & The National.
Zack Orr
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Folk, Alternative
FFO: Wilco, Paul Simon, Neil Young
Zack Orr sounds like Sigur Rós having drinks with Jeff Tweedy & The National.
Matthew Calenvox
Genre:Electronic, Ambient, Instrumental
FFO: Brian Eno, Aphex Twins
Matthew Calendex has been writing and recording electronic instrumental music since the 1980’s and 1990’s. Genres include Ambient, Soundscapes, and downtempo. He originally worked with the very first artists and producers in the same genres noted.
Tim Hopkins
Genre:Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Kraftwerk, Boards of Canada
Tim Hopkins is an electronic music maker from Canada. These days, he makes his music with hardware synths, preferably analogue, but he is willing to dabble with other sources. Although Tim makes electronic music, his creations rarely fit the typical model.
Stranded Alien / The NTT
Genre: Rock, Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Boards of Canada, Arcane
Stranded Alien is a synth-rock project, nostalgic to the early 80s. The NT is a funkier side project emulating the music of the mid to late 70s.
Stranded Alien / The NTT
Genre: Rock, Electronic, Instrumental
FFO: Boards of Canada, Arcane
Stranded Alien is a synth-rock project, nostalgic to the early 80s. The NT is a funkier side project emulating the music of the mid to late 70s.
Zack Orr
Zack Orr sounds like Sigur Rós having drinks with Jeff Tweedy & The National.
Listen on:
Tim Hopkins
Tim Hopkins is an electronic music maker from Canada. These days, he makes his music with hardware synths, preferably analogue, but he is willing to dabble with other sources. Although Tim makes electronic music, his creations rarely fit the typical model.
Listen on:
Stranded Alien / The NTT
Stranded Alien is a synth-rock project, nostalgic to the early 80s. The NT is a funkier side project emulating the music of the mid to late 70s.
Listen on:
Matthew Calenvox
Matthew Calendex has been writing and recording electronic instrumental music since the 1980’s and 1990’s. Genres include Ambient, Soundscapes, and downtempo. He originally worked with the very first artists and producers in the same genres noted.
Listen on:
Lanny Orbison
I made an album that will only ever exist on vinyl. There are only 2,000 copies. When they’re gone, they’re gone. Those who have one become the keepers of these songs.
Listen on: