Ekko Astral respond after being dropped by Topshelf

"On Feb. 18, a Washington, D.C., local news story was published, leading to Ekko Astral no longer working with Topshelf Records. The story reported inaccurately and irresponsibly on a private situation between Jael and our former drummer, Miri. This was poised to be resolved peacefully and in private, but instead the events were transformed and distorted into a situation that hurt everyone involved while temporarily derailing the campaign behind the band's second album, the beltway is burning."

"Ekko Astral cooperated fully with the story when on-the-record comments were solicited for this piece. Almost all of them were left out, including a detailed account from Ekko Astral co-founder Liam Hughes, whose name wasn't even in the piece despite it using his likeness. We believe the facts of this situation were presented in a way that differed from the truth, from a journalist whose approach to the story failed to match the stakes and sensitivity of the events in question."

"We gave them an opportunity to report the facts, and they disregarded all of them. The inaccuracies and omissions in this story resulted in a swirl of misinformed online harassment that led us to part ways with our label. This story shouldn't have been published in the first place. It should be significantly corrected, or retracted, and the outlet should be forc"

Topshelf Records ended their relationship with Ekko Astral and cancelled the release of the album The Beltway is Burning following a Washington, D.C. news story published on February 18. Ekko Astral claims the story misrepresented a private situation between band member Jael and former drummer Miri. The band states they cooperated fully with the journalist, providing detailed accounts and on-the-record comments that were largely omitted from the final piece. Co-founder Liam Hughes notes his name was excluded despite his likeness being used. Ekko Astral contends the inaccurate reporting sparked misinformed online harassment, ultimately causing the label to withdraw support. The band plans to release the album independently and believes the story should be significantly corrected or retracted.

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