Apple Music didn't ban track over Vision Pro parody, admits artist

Singer/songwriter Tim Arnold says his "Super Connected" album stayed off Apple Music because of a miscommunication, not because one track features a parody of Apple Vision Pro.

Arnold's album includes a song called "A Commercial Break," in which British celebrity and famous Apple fan Stephen Fry extols the "iHead" headset. According to Arnold himself, there were reports that this led to Apple banning the album — but that this is definitely not true, no.

Rather, Arnold vaguely claims that there was a "communication breakdown" between Apple Music and his record label, Ditto Records. For six months.

Following completely unrelated protests from artists ranging from the Kaiser Chiefs to Spandau Ballet, the "communication breakdown" happens to have been resolved.

"These past six months have been mentally exhausting trying to get the album onto Apple Music, but I am thrilled it's finally available," said Arnold in a statement. "I'm not sure if it was Apple or Ditto Music who changed their mind... but I think this has all been down to the limitations of digital communications — which is precisely what the album is all about."

"Apple has not only shown that it stands up for the 'different ones'," he continued, "but their support for Super Connected' makes them a champion for authentic human connection in the amorphous digital age we're living in."

The album is now is available on Apple Music. There's no sign, though, of Arnold's feature-length video featuring his "iHead" headset.

That's got to be because the video is too long for Apple Music, it can't be because the headset featured in it is as reminiscent of Vision Pro as all headsets are. Can't be.

And to make sure we understand that there wasn't a ban and that the ban wasn't in any way because of the headset, musician Tim Arnold turns to legal-speak. "However, any resemblance between Arnold's spoof and Apple's Vision Pro was purely concidental," says that announcement.

Whatever the reason for the album not being allowed onto Apple Music, Arnold managed to get support from notable figures. They include the Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson, 10cc's Kevin Godley, and Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp.

The album was reportedly included on Spotify without any issues.

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4 Comments

Japhey 1767 comments · 6 Years

About 9 months ago

Never heard of him. I searched him on Spotify, and Tim Armstrong’s name came up halfway through typing. That led to a 30 minute trip down a Rancid rabbit hole before circling back to discover this Arnold person has only 321 monthly listeners. This story should do wonders for that number. So, well done sir.

coolfactor 2246 comments · 20 Years

About 9 months ago

Just watched the iHead video on YouTube. I can't see *any* resemblance to Vision Pro ... at all. If Apple took issue with that video, they need to shake their head.

timarnold 1 comment · 1 Year

About 9 months ago

Japhey said:

Never heard of him. I searched him on Spotify, and Tim Armstrong’s name came up halfway through typing. That led to a 30 minute trip down a Rancid rabbit hole before circling back to discover this Arnold person has only 321 monthly listeners. This story should do wonders for that number. So, well done sir.

Hello there, this is Tim Arnold,

It has been quite hurtful to read this article and upsetting to read Japhey's comment too.

Japhey, I'm sorry I have only 321 monthly listeners on Spotify. I only joined Spotify 3 months ago, after taking my discography down a few years ago in protest of their investment in military AI company. I was conflicted to put my music back on Spotify for the release of 'Super Connected', but, I received professional advice to put it back.
As an artist without a manager, I took the advice. Forgive me, for being principled in the first place. I am still conflicted about my music being in Spotify.

This situation of not being allowed to put my album on Apple for six months has been horrible, mentally exhausting and caused me autistic meltdowns. I do not make music to make wonderful 'numbers' (as you say), I make music to balance a neurological condition that was only diagnosed a year ago. I make music to bring orindary people together in community collaborative ventures. Music is a force that holds me in the world, so that I can cope in the world. I do not engage in competition. But I do like other people to be able to hear it. My art is an act of artistic autistry.

I have a small but loyal fanbase who support me. Music is not a point scoring sport for me, it's a way to self regulate my mind that I've been doing since I was a child.

Apple might not have literally 'banned' my album, but the album WAS prohibited from being on Apple Music.

I was told that unless I removed the track I wrote and composed (that includes Stephen Fry), I would not be allowed to have my album on Apple Music. As an Apple fan and user of Apple products, and Apple Music subscriber, the rejection felt personal.

I am not a business man or seeking publicity, I just want my music to be accepted in the way I've written and recorded it, without one of the songs missing, in the same way other artists' music is accepted.

And, in the response to the writer who says "Apple did not ban album, artist admits' - that headline is misleading. I was restricted from putting my album on Apple. I've not admitted anything to refute that.

The company who services my music to Apple said Apple would not allow it. I am grateful to both companies for finally putting my album on Apple Music, and I do not know who's fault it is that it was not allowed in the first place. I can guess. But I don't really know. I just know it is not MY fault and I'd be grateful if this article could be amended to reflect that. This headline is potentially damaging to an independent artist who survives on a low income with social welfare support after a pandemic that devastated the lives of countless people working in music. This article doesn't focus on the company Ditto Music or Apple, who are the only companies who KNOW what happened and why. Ask them. Speak to them.

I'm happy that the album is now on Apple Music. My mental balance is restored. But I don't think any artist should have to write a public letter to any company and campaign with famous musicians, actors and film makers to sign a letter in order to do that. The public letter is not, as this article states 'unrelated', it's the only reason anyone is reading this is or anything else about me or my album.

That's the truth. Public support, public awareness and the good will of ordinary people helping a DIY artist who has significant health challenges, stood up to not one, but two companies, resulting in those companies doing the right thing. And now I'm raising public awareness about writers from news outlets to do the right thing as well.

Perhaps 'Artist's Album Accepted On Apple Music, But Only After He Went Public About The Album's Exclusion From Apple Music.' might be more fitting.

Keeping your headline as it is, surprisingly unnuanced.

Tim Arnold

byronl 363 comments · 4 Years

About 9 months ago

timarnold said:

Japhey said:

Never heard of him. I searched him on Spotify, and Tim Armstrong’s name came up halfway through typing. That led to a 30 minute trip down a Rancid rabbit hole no before circling back to discover this Arnold person has only 321 monthly listeners. This story should do wonders for that number. So, well done sir.

Hello there, this is Tim Arnold,

It has been quite hurtful to read this article and upsetting to read Japhey's comment too.

Japhey, I'm sorry I have only 321 monthly listeners on Spotify. I only joined Spotify 3 months ago, after taking my discography down a few years ago in protest of their investment in military AI company. I was conflicted to put my music back on Spotify for the release of 'Super Connected', but, I received professional advice to put it back.
As an artist without a manager, I took the advice. Forgive me, for being principled in the first place. I am still conflicted about my music being in Spotify.

This situation of not being allowed to put my album on Apple for six months has been horrible, mentally exhausting and caused me autistic meltdowns. I do not make music to make wonderful 'numbers' (as you say), I make music to balance a neurological condition that was only diagnosed a year ago. I make music to bring orindary people together in community collaborative ventures. Music is a force that holds me in the world, so that I can cope in the world. I do not engage in competition. But I do like other people to be able to hear it. My art is an act of artistic autistry.

I have a small but loyal fanbase who support me. Music is not a point scoring sport for me, it's a way to self regulate my mind that I've been doing since I was a child.

Apple might not have literally 'banned' my album, but the album WAS prohibited from being on Apple Music.

I was told that unless I removed the track I wrote and composed (that includes Stephen Fry), I would not be allowed to have my album on Apple Music. As an Apple fan and user of Apple products, and Apple Music subscriber, the rejection felt personal.

I am not a business man or seeking publicity, I just want my music to be accepted in the way I've written and recorded it, without one of the songs missing, in the same way other artists' music is accepted.

And, in the response to the writer who says "Apple did not ban album, artist admits' - that headline is misleading. I was restricted from putting my album on Apple. I've not admitted anything to refute that.

The company who services my music to Apple said Apple would not allow it. I am grateful to both companies for finally putting my album on Apple Music, and I do not know who's fault it is that it was not allowed in the first place. I can guess. But I don't really know. I just know it is not MY fault and I'd be grateful if this article could be amended to reflect that. This headline is potentially damaging to an independent artist who survives on a low income with social welfare support after a pandemic that devastated the lives of countless people working in music. This article doesn't focus on the company Ditto Music or Apple, who are the only companies who KNOW what happened and why. Ask them. Speak to them.

I'm happy that the album is now on Apple Music. My mental balance is restored. But I don't think any artist should have to write a public letter to any company and campaign with famous musicians, actors and film makers to sign a letter in order to do that. The public letter is not, as this article states 'unrelated', it's the only reason anyone is reading this is or anything else about me or my album.

That's the truth. Public support, public awareness and the good will of ordinary people helping a DIY artist who has significant health challenges, stood up to not one, but two companies, resulting in those companies doing the right thing. And now I'm raising public awareness about writers from news outlets to do the right thing as well.

Perhaps 'Artist's Album Accepted On Apple Music, But Only After He Went Public About The Album's Exclusion From Apple Music.' might be more fitting.

Keeping your headline as it is, surprisingly unnuanced.

Tim Arnold

thanks for the clarification, all the best to you!!