L.A. or Bust 005
Greetings,
TW: r*pe, sexual abuse/assault
For LA or Bust 005, I want to address the latest outpour of brave sexual abuse and harassment survivors calling out predators in the local and indie scene spurred by the allegations of sexual misconduct and grooming from bands and employees associated with Burger Records. Survivors have taken to social media to share their stories on Instagram pages like Lured By Burger Records, Lured By Lollipop Records, Clean Streets and Creeps In The Scene (among others). Although accounts of sexual abuse are often met with disbelief, especially when those are accused are “beloved” or seemingly trustworthy (i.e., performative so-called male feminists), response from the public has been supportive. Many female artists have spoken out about their own mistreatment and denounced the ways in which rape culture and toxic masculinity are ingrained in the music industry.
This playlist is dedicated to the laborious efforts of women and queer folks who are taking power away from predators and taking steps to make the scene safer. LA/NY band Sloppy Jane has compiled a list of labels, lawyers, managers, and agents who have volunteered to assist women who were slated to release music soon on Burger Records in releasing their music elsewhere. For example, Get Better Records is a queer/trans/artist-run label has always been extremely vocal and supportive of marginalized artists. I’ve also featured LA-based artists from labels like 100% Electronica and Topshelf Records. Also included in this playlist are artists who are survivors who have opened up about their experience with abuse as well as bands who have cut ties with their labels due to misconduct and mistreatment.
While researching and curating this playlist, I noticed a lack of POC, female, and queer-run labels in LA. Mistreatment of women by men and people in positions of power is no surprise in any music community, but widespread acknowledgement and action has been overdue. Although recent stories have proven to me that queer folks are not exempt from being perpetrators of sexual assault themselves, I believe that society has progressed past the need for cis white male bands, label reps, producers, etc.
I implore you listeners/readers to check what bands to not support, believe survivors, and denormalize “sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll.” I also encourage queers and women of color to take up space in the scene and uplift each other! Creating safe environments in our local scene begins with educating ourselves, acting up, speaking out, keeping our peers safe at shows, and representation in spaces like labels, promoters, studios, etc.
Recommended additional readings:
Toxic Masculinity in Music Culture and DIY Spaces (She Shreds)
Femme-run Labels Are The Future of The Music Industry (i-D Vice)
Burger Records Statement and Updates (Brooklyn Vegan)
If you or someone you know is a female, queer, and/or BIPOC artist based in LA and would like to be featured in future L.A. or Bust playlists, please don’t hesitate to reach out to TRASH MAG and/or me.
Happy listening,
Nat
Follow TRASH MAG on Spotify and listen here!
