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PWR BTTM Ebru Yildiz

PWR BTTM have a new manager, seeking comeback for some reason

13 June 2017, 15:06 | Written by The Line of Best Fit

In a woefully misguided move, PWR BTTM have hired a new manager and are planning to re-release their first album.

The duo were essentially wiped off the Internet following allegations of sexual assault and antisemitism against member Ben Hopkins, with labels, management, PR representation, digital distributors, and more severing ties. Tours were yanked, music removed from sale, refunds offered - it seemed like a pretty definitive end.

But now the pair have found themselves with Lisa Barbaris and attorney Jeffrey Koenig, according to Billboard, as they look to reclaim their recorded material and re-launch a career that came to an abrupt halt. They've reportedly already got the distribution rights to 2015's Ugly Cherries, and are currently in discussions with Polyvinyl to get the rights to LP2 Pageant.

"To see Polyvinyl derail and potentially destroy the band's career in such an impulsive manner is very troubling," Barbaris told Billboard in a statement. "I've never seen a label respond in such an irresponsible way in the 30-plus years I've been in the music business."

"We're happy Ugly Cherries is available again and thankful to Father/Daughter Records for their cooperation in transferring the record's distribution rights to PWR BTTM," Barbaris adds. "We hope we will be able to reach an arrangement with Polyvinyl that satisfies their needs as a business and allows listeners to access PWR BTTM's music.

"PWR BTTM put a tremendous amount of time, effort, love, and resources into creating and recording the body of work that would eventually become Pageant," attorney Koenig adds in a statement, also to Billboard. "It is important that their former label allows their fans to hear this album."

Polyvinyl has responded to the publication, saying: "Polyvinyl has been in contact with PWR BTTM's team to work out a separation, and is waiting for details necessary to make that happen. Polyvinyl wishes to make the transition as easy as possible and has no desire to prevent the band from releasing Pageant once an agreement has been reached."

Billboard also report that although PWR BTTM "don't want to sue", they do feel that Polyvinyl has "done harm to their reputation."

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