Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple people, with a lengthy Pitchfork report on the allegations saying that the accusers had “sexual interactions with Butler that they felt were inappropriate given the age gaps, the power dynamics and context in which they occurred’. Three women told Pitchfork they had “interactions with Butler” when they were between 18 and 23 and when he was “between 36 and 39,” and a fourth person — who is gender-identical and uses their pronouns — says Butler ” sexually assaulted them twice’ in 2015 when he was 34 years old. Pitchfork notes that it “saw screenshots of text messages and Instagram” related to the allegations and that it “interviewed friends and family members who said they remember being told about the alleged incidents.” The story includes accounts from all four accusers, none of whom apparently knew each other before all of this, but all of their stories include them being Arcade Fire fans who met and befriended Butler somehow before their relations with him become sexual. a statement he gave to Pitchfork — he doesn’t deny. After that, the stories diverge, with most accusers saying Butler made unwanted advances and Butler saying everything between him and those accusers was completely consensual. He even notes in his statement that he ended a relationship with one of the women after she told him that sleeping with him was “mentally difficult,” and then “vowed never to sleep with someone I knew so little about.” about.” (He also says he “felt a little weird” after realizing he had an Arcade Fire tattoo). Butler acknowledges in his lengthy statement to Pitchfork that he has had “consensual relationships” with people outside of his marriage to Régine Chassagne (who is also with him in Arcade Fire), but insists that, “every single one of those interactions were mutual and always between consenting adults.” He adds that it is “deeply revisionist and frankly wrong, to suggest otherwise”. He also apologized in his statement, saying: “I am very sorry for anyone I hurt with my behavior” and “I never want to be a part of causing someone else’s pain.” He also notes that, during the time period covered by these charges, he had “started drinking” to cope with “the worst depression of my life” and that he “struggled for a long time with mental health issues and the specters of childhood abuse. “ Pitchfork says that at least one of the accusers (their accounts are all presented under pseudonyms) found Butler’s statement “disappointing” because he both apologized and “challenged their point-by-point recollections. That accuser, who says Lilly in the report, also said that if Butler “could sit down for a moment and realize what he’s done enough to know that he needs to change his behavior,” then “maybe that would be enough to protect other people moving forward.” Butler’s full statement to Pitchfork is below, as is Chassagne’s full statement, in which she says she’s “seen him suffer through tremendous pain” and has stood by him because “he’s a good person who cares about this world , the band, their fans, our friends and family.” He also says that he “has never and will never touch a woman without her consent” and that he “lost his way and found his way back.” Statement from Win Butler: I love Régine with all my heart. We have been together for twenty years, she is my partner in music and in life, my soulmate and I am lucky and grateful to have her by my side. But sometimes, it’s been hard to balance being the father, husband and partner I want to be. Today I want to clarify my life, my bad judgment and the mistakes I have made. I had consensual relationships outside of marriage. There’s no easy way to say this, and the hardest thing I’ve ever done is share it with my son. The majority of these relationships were short-lived, and my wife knows – our marriage has, in the past, been more unconventional than some. I’ve connected with people in person, at shows and through social media, and I’ve shared messages I’m not proud of. Most importantly, each of these interactions was mutual and always between consenting adults. It is deeply revisionist, and frankly wrong, to suggest otherwise. I have never touched a woman against her will, and any implication I have is simply false. I categorically deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or asked for sexual favors. This simply, and undeniably, never happened. Although all of these relationships were consensual, I am deeply sorry for anyone I hurt with my behavior. Life is filled with tremendous pain and mistakes, and I never want to be a part of causing someone else’s pain. I have long struggled with mental health issues and the specters of child abuse. In my 30s, I started drinking as I was dealing with the worst depression of my life after our family’s miscarriage. None of this is meant to excuse my behavior, but I want to give some context and share what was going on in my life during this time. I no longer recognized myself or the person I had become. Rezin waited patiently watching me suffer and tried to help me as best she could. I know it must have been so hard for her to watch the person she loved so lost. I have worked hard on myself – not out of fear or shame, but because I am a person who wants to improve despite my flaws and damage. I have spent the last few years since Covid hit trying to save that part of my soul. I have devoted considerable time and energy to treatment and healing, including attending AA. I am now more aware of how my public persona can distort relationships even if a situation is friendly and positive for me. I am very grateful to Régine, my family, my dear friends and my therapist, who helped me come back from the abyss that I felt certain would sometimes consume me. The bond I share with my colleagues and the incredibly deep connection I’ve made with the audience through sharing music has literally saved my life. As I look to the future, I continue to learn from my mistakes and work hard to become a better person, someone my son can be proud of. To all my friends, family, anyone I’ve hurt, and people who love my music and are shocked and disappointed by this report, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused – I’m sorry I wasn’t more aware and attuned to the effect I have on people – I fucked up, and while it’s no excuse, I’ll continue to look forward and heal they can heal and learn from past experiences. I can do better and I will do better. Statement by Régine Chassagne: Win is my soulmate, my songwriting partner, my husband, the father of my beautiful boy. He has been my partner in life and music for 20 years. And for all the love in our lives, I’ve also watched him suffer tremendous pain. I’ve stood by him because I know he’s a good person who cares about this world, our band, his fans, friends and family. I’ve known Win since before we were “famous”, when we were just college students. I know what’s in his heart and I know he has never and will never touch a woman without her consent and I’m sure he never did. He has lost his way and found his way back. I love him and I adore the life we created together.
