Arcade Fireplace singer/guitarist Win Butler has been accused of sexual misconduct by 4 folks for incidents that allegedly befell between 2015-2020. In a report printed by Pitchfork, the accusers are stated 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 Fireplace member Régine Chassagne since 2003.
On the time of the encounters, the three ladies have been between 18-23, whereas Butler was between 34 and 39. The gender-fluid accuser was 21 after they say Butler, 34 on the time, sexually assaulted them twice: as soon as after they have been driving in a automotive collectively and one other when he allegedly confirmed up at their condominium regardless of being instructed 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 have been instructed concerning the alleged incidents.
The three ladies stated they have been “devoted Arcade Fireplace followers” and that they felt the encounters with Butler have been inappropriate “given the gaps in age, energy dynamics and context by which they occurred.”
In an announcement given to Pitchfork by means of a disaster PR rep, Butler admitted he had sexual interactions with the 4 folks, however that they have been consensual and he didn’t provoke them. In a second assertion, Butler stated 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 totally different ladies with whom he had consensual sexual relationships.
I like Régine with all of my coronary heart. Now we have been collectively for twenty years, she is my associate in music and in life, my soulmate and I’m fortunate and grateful to have her by my facet. However at occasions, it has been tough to stability being the daddy, husband, and bandmate that I wish to be. As we speak I wish 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 no such thing as a simple option to say this, and the toughest factor I’ve ever executed is having to share this with my son. Nearly all of these relationships have been quick lived, and my spouse is conscious – our marriage has, prior to now, been extra unconventional than some. I’ve related with folks in particular person, at reveals, 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 albeit simply fallacious, for anybody to counsel 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 compelled myself on a girl or demanded sexual favors. That merely, and unequivocally, by no means occurred.
Whereas these relationships have been all consensual, I’m very sorry to anybody who I’ve harm with my conduct. Life is crammed with super ache and error, and I by no means wish 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 ingesting as I handled the heaviest despair of my life after our household skilled a miscarriage. None of that is supposed to excuse my conduct, however I do wish to give some context and share what was taking place in my life round this time. I not acknowledged myself or the particular person I had turn out to be. Régine waited patiently watching me endure and tried to assist me as finest as she may. I do know it will need to have been so exhausting for her to observe the particular person she beloved so misplaced.
I’ve been working exhausting on myself – not out of concern or disgrace, however as a result of I’m a human being who desires to enhance regardless of my flaws and harm. I’ve spent the previous couple of years since Covid hit making an attempt to save lots of that a part of my soul. I’ve put important 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 optimistic to me. I’m very grateful to Régine, my household, my expensive associates, and my therapist, who’ve helped me again from the abyss that I felt sure at occasions would eat me. The bond I share with my bandmates and the extremely deep connection I’ve made with an viewers by means 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 exhausting to turn out to be a greater particular person, somebody my son could be happy with. I say to you all my associates, household, to anybody I’ve harm and to the individuals who love my music and are shocked and upset by this report: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the ache I brought about – 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 could be healed, and study from previous experiences. I can do higher and I’ll do higher.
In an announcement of her personal, Chassagne stated 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, associates, and our household.” Persevering with, she stated Butler had “misplaced his approach and he has discovered his approach again. I like him and love the life we have now created collectively.”
A rep for Arcade Fireplace instructed SPIN that there can be no additional touch upon the state of affairs. The band is scheduled to start an in depth world tour Aug. 30 in Dublin in assist of its newest album, WE.