Arcade Fireplace singer/guitarist Win Butler has been accused of sexual misconduct by 4 folks for incidents that allegedly happened between 2015-2020. In a report revealed by Pitchfork, the accusers are mentioned to be three girls and one other one who is gender fluid, all of whom declare Butler had an inappropriate sexual relationship with them. Butler has been married to fellow Arcade Fireplace member Régine Chassagne since 2003.
On the time of the encounters, the three girls 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 automobile collectively and one other when he allegedly confirmed up at their condo regardless of being informed not to take action in textual content messages. Pitchfork says it seen 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 informed concerning the alleged incidents.
The three girls mentioned they had been “devoted Arcade Fireplace followers” and that they felt the encounters with Butler had been inappropriate “given the gaps in age, energy dynamics and context through 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 consuming, and coping with psychological well being points. He admits to having an extramarital affair and supplied to place Pitchfork in contact with completely different girls with whom he had consensual sexual relationships.
I really like Régine with all of my coronary heart. We now 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 aspect. However at instances, it has been tough to steadiness being the daddy, husband, and bandmate that I need to be. Right this moment 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 isn’t any simple option to say this, and the toughest factor I’ve ever accomplished is having to share this with my son. Nearly all 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 significantly, each single one among these interactions has been mutual and at all times between consenting adults. It’s deeply revisionist, and admittedly simply mistaken, 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 just false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I compelled myself on a girl or demanded sexual favors. That merely, and unequivocally, by no means occurred.
Whereas these relationships had been all consensual, I’m very sorry to anybody who I’ve harm with my habits. Life is crammed with great ache and error, and I by no means need to be a part 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 consuming as I handled the heaviest despair of my life after our household skilled a miscarriage. None of that is meant to excuse my habits, however I do need to give some context and share what was occurring in my life round this time. I now not acknowledged myself or the individual I had turn into. Régine waited patiently watching me endure and tried to assist me as greatest as she might. I do know it will need to have been so arduous for her to observe the individual she cherished so misplaced.
I’ve been working arduous on myself – not out of worry or disgrace, however as a result of I’m a human being who desires to enhance regardless of my flaws and injury. I’ve spent the previous few years since Covid hit making an attempt to avoid wasting that a part of my soul. I’ve put vital time and vitality into remedy and therapeutic, together with attending AA. I’m extra conscious now of how my public persona can distort relationships even when a state of affairs feels pleasant and constructive to me. I’m very grateful to Régine, my household, my pricey 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 longer term, I’m persevering with to study from my errors and dealing arduous to turn into a greater individual, somebody my son may be pleased with. 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 disenchanted by this report: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the ache I brought on – 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] as a result of I do know he is an effective man who cares about this world, our band, his followers, buddies, and our household.” Persevering with, she mentioned Butler had “misplaced his manner and he has discovered his manner again. I really like him and love the life now we have created collectively.”
A rep for Arcade Fireplace informed SPIN that there could be no additional touch upon the state of affairs. The band is scheduled to start an intensive world tour Aug. 30 in Dublin in help of its newest album, WE.
