Sexual assault is unfortunately as rampant as ever for women in the arts. Today, singer-songwriter Larkin Grimm detailed accusations that her collaborator, producer and former label boss Michael Gira (of the famous noise rock band Swans) raped and sexually assaulted her.
Grimm was signed to Gira's Young God Records for the release of her 2008 record Parplar. Gira also produced the LP for his label, and in a new Facebook post, Grimm explains that he spent their entire working relationship making unwanted advances on her. Eventually, she says Gira raped her.
When Grimm eventually worked up the courage to confront Gira, she says he dropped her from his label.
Prior to sharing this story, she shared a different story detailing how her band leader Thomas Sayers Ellis had also allegedly assaulted her.
Grimm also communicates solidarity with pop artist Kesha, who became embroiled in a lawsuit with producer Dr. Luke and Sony over claims that he raped her.
Read Larkin Grimm's full statement about her relationship with Gira below. Please note that the story may be troubling to some readers.
UPDATE (02/25, 12:20 p.m.): Michael Gira has responded with a statement on Facebook, where he calls the accusations "a slanderous lie." Read his full statement below:
re horrible accusations from larkin grimm about me: I am completely shocked myself. This is a slanderous lie. I will respond vigorously to defend my name against this horrible slur. I trust in the intelligence of those who have followed my work and respect me as a person, to know this is NOT the person I am. The rumor mill/"confessional" Facebook post travels like fire- but this one is lies. More soon.
UPDATE (02/26, 8:50 p.m.): Gira has now released an official statement regarding the incident. You can read it in full below.
Eight years ago, while I was still married to my first wife, Larkin Grimm and I headed towards a consensual romantic moment that fortunately was not consummated. As she wrote in her recent social media postings about that night, I said to her, "this doesn't feel right," and abruptly but completely our only intimate encounter ended. It was an awkward mistake.
Larkin may regret, as I certainly do, that the ill-advised tryst went even that far, but now, as then, I hold her in high esteem for her music and her courage as an artist.
I long ago apologized to my wife and family and told them the truth about this incident. My hope is that Larkin finds peace with the demons that have been darkening her soul since long before she and I ever met.
Grimm was signed to Gira's Young God Records for the release of her 2008 record Parplar. Gira also produced the LP for his label, and in a new Facebook post, Grimm explains that he spent their entire working relationship making unwanted advances on her. Eventually, she says Gira raped her.
When Grimm eventually worked up the courage to confront Gira, she says he dropped her from his label.
Prior to sharing this story, she shared a different story detailing how her band leader Thomas Sayers Ellis had also allegedly assaulted her.
Grimm also communicates solidarity with pop artist Kesha, who became embroiled in a lawsuit with producer Dr. Luke and Sony over claims that he raped her.
Read Larkin Grimm's full statement about her relationship with Gira below. Please note that the story may be troubling to some readers.
I will give you some history about why I am sharing the story about Thomas Sayers Ellis's abusive behavior now. I didn'...
Posted by Larkin Grimm on Thursday, February 25, 2016
UPDATE (02/25, 12:20 p.m.): Michael Gira has responded with a statement on Facebook, where he calls the accusations "a slanderous lie." Read his full statement below:
re horrible accusations from larkin grimm about me: I am completely shocked myself. This is a slanderous lie. I will respond vigorously to defend my name against this horrible slur. I trust in the intelligence of those who have followed my work and respect me as a person, to know this is NOT the person I am. The rumor mill/"confessional" Facebook post travels like fire- but this one is lies. More soon.
UPDATE (02/26, 8:50 p.m.): Gira has now released an official statement regarding the incident. You can read it in full below.
Eight years ago, while I was still married to my first wife, Larkin Grimm and I headed towards a consensual romantic moment that fortunately was not consummated. As she wrote in her recent social media postings about that night, I said to her, "this doesn't feel right," and abruptly but completely our only intimate encounter ended. It was an awkward mistake.
Larkin may regret, as I certainly do, that the ill-advised tryst went even that far, but now, as then, I hold her in high esteem for her music and her courage as an artist.
I long ago apologized to my wife and family and told them the truth about this incident. My hope is that Larkin finds peace with the demons that have been darkening her soul since long before she and I ever met.