In the 1950s and 1960s, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) became interested in the influence of music on society, particularly on the youth. The agency saw an opportunity to use the music industry as a tool for propaganda and began infiltrating it.
The CIA worked with record labels, radio stations, and concert promoters to spread music that would promote American values and ideals. They also used music as a way to subvert and undermine foreign governments by promoting music that was critical of them. This covert operation, known as “Project Mockingbird,” was eventually exposed and became the subject of public scrutiny. While the full extent of the CIA’s involvement in the music industry is still unknown, it is clear that they had a significant impact on shaping the musical landscape during this era.
Now the CIA has set its eyes on a new generation.
In a recent post on Twitter, the CIA tweeted out “Thank you Austin for hosting us at SXSW 2023”.
For those of you who don’t know SXSW (South by Southwest) “is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, Texas, United States.”
In another tweet the agency tweeted out a photo of some agents hosting panel called “spies supercharged”.
Take a look:
Per the CIA:
SXSW attendees will have the opportunity to:
Hear from CIA’s top tech leaders on the future of intelligence and technology (Panel)
Talk with CIA officers about exciting career opportunities (Creative Industries Expo)
Engage with CIA officers to learn about industry partnerships (Creative Industries Expo)
It appears the days of the CIA lurking around concerts and handing out “truth serum” are over and now they are working openly in the public.
