Arcade Fire singer/guitarist Win Butler has been accused of sexual misconduct by 4 folks for incidents that allegedly passed off between 2015-2020. In a report printed by Pitchfork, the accusers are mentioned to be three ladies and one other one that is gender fluid, all of whom declare Butler had an inappropriate sexual relationship with them. Butler has been married to fellow Arcade Fire member Régine Chassagne since 2003.
At the time of the encounters, the three ladies had been between 18-23, whereas Butler was between 34 and 39. The gender-fluid accuser was 21 once they say Butler, 34 on the time, sexually assaulted them twice: as soon as once they had been driving in a automotive collectively and one other when he allegedly confirmed up at their condominium regardless of being advised not to take action in textual content messages. Pitchfork says it considered screenshots of textual content and Instagram messages between Butler and the victims and that it spoke with the victims’ family and friends members who had been advised concerning the alleged incidents.
The three ladies mentioned they had been “devoted Arcade Fire fans” and that they felt the encounters with Butler had been inappropriate “given the gaps in age, power dynamics and context in which they occurred.”
In a press release given to Pitchfork by way of a disaster PR rep, Butler admitted he had sexual interactions with the 4 folks, however that they had been consensual and he didn’t provoke them. In a second assertion, Butler mentioned he was depressed and ingesting, and coping with psychological well being points. He admits to having an extramarital affair and supplied to place Pitchfork in contact with completely different ladies with whom he had consensual sexual relationships.
I like Régine with all of my coronary heart. We have been collectively for twenty years, she is my accomplice in music and in life, my soulmate and I’m fortunate and grateful to have her by my facet. But at instances, it has been troublesome to steadiness being the daddy, husband, and bandmate that I need to be. Today I need to clear the air about my life, poor judgment, and errors I’ve made.
I’ve had consensual relationships outdoors of my marriage.
There is not any straightforward solution to say this, and the toughest factor I’ve ever finished is having to share this with my son. The majority of these relationships had been quick lived, and my spouse is conscious – our marriage has, up to now, been extra unconventional than some. I’ve related with folks in individual, at exhibits, and thru social media, and I’ve shared messages of which I’m not proud. Most importantly, each single one of these interactions has been mutual and all the time between consenting adults. It is deeply revisionist, and admittedly simply incorrect, for anybody to recommend in any other case.
I’ve by no means touched a girl in opposition to her will, and any implication that I’ve is solely false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I pressured myself on a girl or demanded sexual favors. That merely, and unequivocally, by no means occurred.
While these relationships had been all consensual, I’m very sorry to anybody who I’ve harm with my conduct. Life is stuffed with super ache and error, and I by no means need to be half of inflicting another person’s ache.
I’ve lengthy struggled with psychological well being points and the ghosts of childhood abuse. In my 30s, I began ingesting as I handled the heaviest despair of my life after our household skilled a miscarriage. None of that is meant to excuse my conduct, however I do need to give some context and share what was taking place in my life round this time. I not acknowledged myself or the individual I had turn out to be. Régine waited patiently watching me undergo and tried to assist me as greatest as she might. I do know it should have been so laborious for her to observe the individual she liked so misplaced.
I’ve been working laborious on myself – not out of concern or disgrace, however as a result of I’m a human being who needs to enhance regardless of my flaws and injury. I’ve spent the previous few years since Covid hit attempting to avoid wasting that half of my soul. I’ve put vital time and power into remedy and therapeutic, together with attending AA. I’m extra conscious now of how my public persona can distort relationships even when a scenario feels pleasant and constructive to me. I’m very grateful to Régine, my household, my expensive buddies, and my therapist, who’ve helped me again from the abyss that I felt sure at instances would eat me. The bond I share with my bandmates and the extremely deep connection I’ve made with an viewers by way of sharing music has actually saved my life.
As I look to the long run, I’m persevering with to study from my errors and dealing laborious to turn out to be a greater individual, somebody my son may be proud of. I say to you all my buddies, household, to anybody I’ve harm and to the individuals who love my music and are shocked and disillusioned by this report: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the ache I triggered – I’m sorry I wasn’t extra conscious and tuned in to the impact I’ve on folks – I fucked up, and whereas not an excuse, I’ll proceed to look ahead and heal what may be healed, and study from previous experiences. I can do higher and I’ll do higher.
In a press release of her personal, Chassagne mentioned she has “stood by [Buitler] because I know he is a good man who cares about this world, our band, his fans, friends, and our family.” Continuing, she mentioned Butler had “lost his way and he has found his way back. I love him and love the life we have created together.”
A rep for Arcade Fire advised SPIN that there could be no additional touch upon the scenario. The band is scheduled to start an in depth world tour Aug. 30 in Dublin in assist of its newest album, WE.
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