Topshelf Information has dropped Washington, D.C. punk band Ekko Astral and is instantly ceasing all involvement with The Beltway Is Burning, their upcoming second album. The file label didn’t initially specify its reasoning. “We are able to now not assist Ekko Astral and won’t be releasing their album 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨,” Topshelf wrote on Instagram. “This contains the top of in-house PR service from the label. Refunds for pre-orders can be issued inside 5-10 enterprise days.”
When requested if Topshelf’s determination was associated to the current fallout between Ekko Astral frontwoman Jael Holzman and former drummer Miri Tyler, the label collectively advised Pitchfork, “Sure, all of those occasions, and extra, have irreversibly impacted our potential to proceed working with this band or releasing their music. We’ve got no additional remark.”
In an announcement to Pitchfork, Holzman stated, “There may be a variety of misinformation spreading about this story. We may have extra to share within the close to future.” Holzman additionally confirmed that The Beltway Is Burning will nonetheless be launched independently, calling it “our pleasure and pleasure.”
The sudden announcement from Topshelf comes within the wake of final week’s Washington Metropolis Paper story, which describes the rift between Holzman and Tyler. On February 6, Holzman filed a peace order petition in Montgomery County District Courtroom, accusing Tyler of threatening her on social media. In response to the story, Tyler has denied making threats towards anybody.
“I don’t wish to see Miri Tyler go to jail and don’t suppose that may be a treatment right here,” Holzman reportedly wrote in her petition. “However I want her to remain far, far-off from me and go away me alone, so we are able to each transfer on and she will discover the assistance she clearly wants.” The peace order towards Tyler stays in impact till August 13.
Tyler publicly introduced her exit from Ekko Astral on January 28, however stated on the time she deliberate on enjoying a remaining present at this yr’s Liberation Fest II, the D.C. punk competition supporting trans liberation and mutual support, which is about to happen in April. Holzman advised Stereogum that Tyler is “completely not barred” from enjoying the competition, including, “[it’s] a neighborhood occasion for anybody, the order speaks nothing on that, and I’d do something to make it possible for mission stays true.”
Ekko Astral launched their debut full-length, Pink Balloons, on Topshelf in 2024. Greatest associates Holzman and Liam Hughes began the band in 2021, and expanded right into a four-piece to incorporate drummer Miri Tyler and bassist Guinevere Tully shortly afterwards. Just a few months after releasing Pink Balloons, Tully left Ekko Astral, citing “a adverse toll on [her] bodily and psychological well being” and a want to give attention to her solo challenge, Rosslyn Station.
