You may add one other musician reportedly as soon as related to Dogma to the rising roster of people to have spoken out in opposition to the band this week. Previous gamers within the all-female laborious rock outfit have lately begun calling out the group’s administration, condemning how they function the group from behind the scenes.
So far, allegations of manipulation, gaslighting, mistreatment and extra have been made. Whereas it’s unclear precisely what number of, it now appears that numerous musicians have cycled by way of the band over the previous few years. In response to not less than one former member, these replacements can and have been made with out warning.
Former vocalist Grace Jane Pasturini (Lillith II), and ex-guitarists Amber Maldonado (Lamia II) & Patri Grief (Rusalka) first took to the web on October twenty sixth to publicly air their issues with Dogma‘s administration firm. In a joint assertion, they claimed the corporate has been controlling the group and making ‘unilateral selections’ at the price of members they recruit.
Grief would observe with a private assertion a number of days later, lodging additional allegations in opposition to the band‘s administration. In her assertion, she made claims that she was manipulated into shopping for gear and gadgets that weren’t needed, routinely undervalued for the additional effort she put into the band, and in the end not supplied the right visa by administration to tour america.
She claims that she and one other member of the band have been each detained for roughly two days upon attempting to enter the U.S. for a tour earlier than being despatched again dwelling on account of that improper paperwork. She additionally alleged that in her detainment, she was changed within the band by administration with out warning and requested to show her successor the requisite guitar components.
Now Kim Jennett has come ahead along with her personal story that additional paints the band’s internal workings in an unfavorable gentle. In response to Jennett, she was supplied the position of Lilith in Dogma in 2024, however in the end declined over what she described as being a extremely unfavorable contract. Talking by way of her Fb at the moment (October thirtieth,) she issued the under assertion:
“I need to share my aspect of the story.
As a result of I do know the ladies concerned legally could also be unable to share sure features of their story, and I’ve proof of that. I’m talking out in solidarity with them. As girls in music, we’ve obtained to have one another’s backs and name this type of factor out so it stops taking place once more.
In 2024 I used to be advised I’d be the brand new singer of Dogma. (I obtained by way of the audition and to the purpose of exchanging contacts earlier than flying to South America for rehearsals)
From day one, it was made clear this wasn’t actually a band. it was a model. A plant created and pruned by the administration. I used to be basically enjoying a task. That doesn’t take away from how a lot laborious work and graft it takes to be part of a venture like this. The women would have poured their hearts souls, blood sweat and tears into it. You could possibly see all of them injected part of themselves into the roles and did an unbelievable job of constructing these characters their very own.
What makes me sick about all of that is the anonymity. The ladies are masked, silenced, and managed by contracts that cease them from talking out. with authorized threats hanging over them in the event that they do and I’ve the proof of all this.
The contract I used to be despatched was one of the crucial insulting issues I’ve seen in my 15 yr profession. My Lawyer mentioned it was basically ‘slave labour’ and advised me to not go wherever close to it. I fully perceive that not everybody has entry to authorized recommendation, and I don’t blame the ladies who signed. They have been bought a dream. manipulated with false guarantees and hope, into signing one thing that in the end exploited them.
Individuals may not realise it’s not simply in regards to the terrible pay, $100 a present (frankly a joke) whereas the managers pocket the earnings from merchandise, ticket gross sales, and meet and greets. It’s about management. legally certain to cover behind characters and hold mouths shut. Replaceable and exploited, all disguised behind a masks of “feminism.”
I fought it for months. Each time I pushed again, the managers got here again with manipulative techniques, attempting to stress me into signing one thing that may have destroyed me legally, financially, and professionally. I urged them so as to add a piece added about fundamental human rights which they instantly took again out. Defending myself in opposition to issues like, sexual abuse and exploitation, permitting me rights to issues corresponding to well being security and the correct to terminate the contract if these items are breached. Once I urged my human rights the place a non negotiable they backed out.
It’s a model that preaches “authenticity, freedom, and expression” whereas handing out contracts that strip these very issues away.
Even their official assertion says all of it: “Dogma is greater than one individual.” That’s precisely it …. the musicians are handled as replaceable. Disposable.
Sadly, in at the moment’s business, there are such a lot of artists that want work on the market they may probably proceed with a brand new lineup. extra girls being exploited and hidden behind this masks of “thriller.”
I’m talking out so individuals can see this for what it truly is. If a model’s energy depends on silence, management, and anonymity, it’s not empowerment. it’s exploitation.
Proof & What the Contract Stated
I by no means signed their contract. thank God. however right here’s what they tried to make me comply with:
- possession of my voice and likeness even after leaving.
“The corporate retains the correct to make use of the artist’s voice, recordings, likeness and character portrayal in perpetuity.”
Meaning even when I walked away, they may hold utilizing my picture and voice to advertise their model. They may even use Al to copy me. This they’re doing to the ladies as I sort this through the use of their likeness to write down posts on their social media pages and fashions miming to their recordings.
- Complete anonymity, complete silence.
“The artist agrees to carry out beneath anonymity and chorus from revealing their identification publicly.”
“Any breach of confidentiality will end in authorized motion.”
So the ladies actually can’t communicate. They’re gagged. That’s why you’ll by no means hear the true aspect of how unhealthy issues obtained. they’re legally trapped. One of many causes I’ve determined to share all of this.
- $100 per present, no possession, no royalties.
“Artist will obtain $100 per reside efficiency, with no entitlement to royalties or residuals.”
That’s exploitation. No skilled musician in 2025 must be paid lower than minimal wage to entrance a model making 1000’s. It even said if I made a artistic contribution to writing I’d by no means be compensated for it.
- One sided energy and threats of authorized motion.
“The corporate reserves the correct to interchange the artist at any time with out compensation.”
For those who refused or requested for honest phrases, you’d be threatened with authorized penalties.
Permitting there coercive and manipulative remedy of the artists from begin to end.
- The phantasm of empowerment.
They used phrases like sisterhood, freedom, authenticity, and artistry however the wonderful print stripped all of that away. Behind the masks, these girls had no management over what they mentioned, wore, or earned. It’s the textbook definition of exploitation dressed up as feminism.
6.Termination
“The Firm reserves the correct to terminate this settlement and change the Artist at any time, for any cause, with out prior discover or compensation. The Artist could not terminate this settlement with out the prior written consent of them”
Meaning they may drop the ladies immediately, however the girls couldn’t depart. trapped until the administration allowed it.
- Authorized charges
“The Artist shall indemnify and hold indemnified the Firm in opposition to all prices, claims, damages, and bills (together with cheap authorized charges) arising out of or in reference to this Settlement.”
If something went unsuitable even when it was the managements fault I must pay their authorized charges, and when they’re paying so little per present it fully traps the artist, its monetary abuse and manipulation.
Each phrase of that is the whole fact. I’ve each message, name recording, and all the contracts to again this up.
I’m talking for these that may’t.
For those who care about girls in music, cease supporting programs that conceal behind empowerment whereas profiting off silence.
I stand with Grace, Amber, and Patri, and I urge you to do the identical. Take into consideration who you’re actually supporting and what sort of business you’re serving to to maintain.”
Dogma‘s official social media have but to answer this newest assertion from Jennett or the non-public assertion issued by Grief. Nevertheless, they did concern this response in direction of the preliminary claims made in opposition to them by Pasturini, Maldonado and Grief.
[via Lambgoat]
