EDM DJ/producer/remixer Lorin Ashton — better known as Bassnectar — announced on social media on July 3 that he is “stepping back” from his music career. Ashton’s decision comes in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations made against him, some of which have been posted on the Instagram account Evidence Against Bassnectar.
Per Ashton’s post:
“I am stepping back from my career and I am stepping down from my position of power and privilege in this community because I want to take responsibility and accountability. I feel intense compassion for anyone I may have hurt. I truly hope you allow me a chance to work together toward healing. The rumors you are hearing are untrue, but I realize some of my past actions have caused pain, and I am deeply sorry.”
Women have shared graphic and disturbing accounts of interactions with Ashton. One woman named Lauren posted a “firsthand experience with Lorin Ashton’s secrecy, manipulation, and sexism behind the altruistic, feminist facade of the Bassnectar movement.” Her statement can be read in its entirety here.
Ashton will no longer be involved with the non-profit organization Be Interactive: “I am handing off our nonprofit Be Interactive to a diverse team to continue without my involvement moving forward.”
Ashton had been managed by Red Light Management, who haven’t commented publicly about the matter. However, all references to Ashton have been scrubbed clean from the company’s website:
On Sunday, Bassnectar collaborator of eight years Mimi Page, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, issued a statement on Twitter. She expressed support with one of the women who said she had a relationship with Ashton when she was 17.
After releasing his statement Ashton updated his location on his Twitter profile to “temporarily off grid.”
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