Swans’ Michael Gira has denied allegations that he raped former collaborator Larkin Grimm.
Singer-songwriter Larkin Grimm released a statement last night accusing Gira of raping her when they collaborated on her album Parplar, which Gira produced and released via his Young God Records label in 2008.
"Many people have assumed, over the years, that Michael and I had a love affair, and in a way, for a time, maybe we did," said Grimm. "But I never consented to having sex with him. I wouldn’t have wanted to ruin such an important opportunity that way. Technically, he raped me. It took me a long time to admit that to myself. Years. Michael Gira, my producer, raped me and dumped me from his label when I confronted him about it, needing to feel safe.
“What happened was awful, but as a prison abolitionist, an anarchist, and a nice person I didn’t want to destroy his whole life with a rape charge. Looking back, he didn’t think twice about destroying mine." You can read Grimm’s full statement here.
Gira has since denied the allegations as a "slanderous lie", while his wife, Jennifer Gira, has also rejected Grimm’s statement, writing: "I have PROOF, in Larkin’s own hand, that her allegations of Michael raping her did not happen. I REPEAT It is false.
"Anyone who bashed my husband or his music, when they see the proof – is going to feel like a complete fool." You can read her full statement here.
