Why Deeper Shades Recordings Is No Longer on Traxsource

If you follow me on social media or receive the Deeper Shades newsletter, you may already know some of this story.

While I was traveling in Europe this summer, I discovered that every Deeper Shades Recordings release had been removed from Traxsource. A few days later, my artist photo, biography, and all of my previous Top 10 charts had disappeared as well.
I also discovered that Traxsource had blocked my Facebook and Instagram accounts from their social media pages.

All of this happened shortly after I publicly criticized Traxsource's approach to AI transparency.

I have been very clear about my position on generative AI in music: I don't believe it has a place in art or music.

My criticism of Traxsource wasn't that they were doing nothing about AI. It was that, in my opinion, they weren't going far enough.

I don't believe generative AI music deserves to compete alongside music created by actual artists, and I especially don't believe it belongs in sales charts where DJs and listeners look to discover and support new music.

Putting a label on AI-generated music doesn't change that for me.


Deeper Shades Of House and Deeper Shades Recordings have always been about people. Artists making music, DJs selecting music, and listeners connecting with it. That's what I've supported for decades, and that's what I'll continue to support.


I don't know why Deeper Shades Recordings was removed from Traxsource. They have not given me an explanation connecting the removal to my criticism, so I'm not going to claim something I can't prove. I can only tell you what happened.

• I publicly criticized their approach to AI transparency.
• Shortly afterwards, the entire Deeper Shades Recordings catalog disappeared from their store.
• Then my artist photo, biography and previous Top 10 charts disappeared.
• Additionally Traxsource blocked my Facebook and Instagram accounts from their social media pages.

At that point, my decision was easy.

I no longer work with or recommend Traxsource, and I'm removing links to the platform from deepershades.net.

Where To Buy Deeper Shades Recordings

The best place to buy music from the label is the Deeper Shades Bandcamp page.

BUY DEEPER SHADES RECORDINGS ON BANDCAMP

As you've heard me mention on the show, I believe Bandcamp, platforms like Subvert, and even self-hosted stores are the future.
They allow artists and labels to build direct relationships with listeners instead of relying entirely on third-party stores.

Deeper Shades Recordings has been independent since 2008, and situations like this only reinforce for me how important that independence is.

Support Deeper Shades Directly

If you'd like to support what I'm doing beyond buying music, you can also pick up a T-shirt, hoodie or something else from the Deeper Shades merch shop.

VISIT THE DEEPER SHADES SHOP


And of course, the biggest help is becoming a DSOH Premium member. Your support keeps the radio show, label and everything around Deeper Shades going while giving you access to additional benefits.

GO PREMIUM


Thank you, as always, for supporting independent music and everything I do.
I truly appreciate every one of you.

Don't Let Your Friends Listen To Bad Music,

Lars Behrenroth