Swans' Michael Gira Accused of Rape by Former Collaborator Larkin Grimm

Photo by Jordi Vidal/Redferns via Getty Images

Singer/songwriter Larkin Grimm has written a post on her personal Facebook page claiming that Swans frontman Michael Gira raped her in the spring of 2008, when she was recording her album Parplar for Gira's Young God label. She says that Gira continued to make unwanted sexual advances towards her in the months that followed. After Parplar's release and accompanying tours, she says she confronted Gira, who then dropped her from his label. 

I will give you some history about why I am sharing the story about Thomas Sayers Ellis's abusive behavior now. I didn'...

Posted by Larkin Grimm on Thursday, February 25, 2016

Pitchfork has reached out to Gira's publicist and manager for comment.

Grimm told Pitchfork:

I am not in this for vengeance. I am not angry. I do not want Michael Gira to have his life destroyed. If one in four or five women has been raped, we have to acknowledge the possibility that one in five men might be rapists. What are we going to do with them all? Send them to jail for 10 years and cut off their dicks? NO. It is the whole culture that has to change. We have created this epidemic of harassment and disrespect and violence together. We have to end it together.

via Matthew Strauss