Ekko Astral are suspending their second album, The Beltway Is Burning. The Washington, D.C., punk band made the announcement on March 4. additionally confirming that they’re not taking part in this 12 months’s Liberation Weekend, the D.C. pageant they co-founded with Gender Liberation Motion in 2025 to assist trans liberation and mutual assist.
Though bandmates Jael Holzman and Liam Hughes will end their March tour itinerary, which incorporates West Coast dates opening for Mclusky and a present at Idaho’s Treefort Fest, they stated they’ve postponed all subsequent performances. “Ekko Astral wants time to recalibrate,” their assertion learn. “We wished to maneuver by our unique schedule, however we have realized we might profit from extra time and bandwidth. To offer Beltway, our satisfaction and pleasure, the second it deserves.”
The announcement arrives after, late final month, Ekko Astral’s label Topshelf dropped them and stated it could not launch The Beltway Is Burning; Holzman confirmed on February 23 that the band would nonetheless launch the album independently on April 22. Though Topshelf’s assertion didn’t initially specify a motive behind the choice, the label informed Pitchfork it was associated to a dispute between Holzman and Ekko Astral’s former drummer Miri Tyler. Tyler detailed plans to depart the band in January, citing the pressure on her psychological well being of touring with the group. On the time, Tyler stated she would play one last present with Ekko Astral at Liberation Weekend II.
On February 6, Holzman filed a peace order in opposition to Tyler in Montgomery County District Court docket, alleging that Tyler threatened her on social media. The order, which bars Tyler from direct contact or communication with Holzman, stays in impact till August 13. Final month, the Washington Metropolis Paper reported that Tyler has denied threatening anybody, and additional explored the fallout between her and Holzman. Ekko Astral has since contested the story, citing “inaccuracies and omissions” that resulted in “a swirl of misinformed on-line harassment that led us to half methods with our label.” (An editor’s observe on the piece reads: “Ekko Astral’s assertion makes unfounded and deceptive claims. Metropolis Paper stands by our reporting, our reporter, and our decision-making all through the method.”)
Liberation Weekend II, which is ready to return from April 24 to 26, will host Laura Jane Grace, Illuminati Hotties, Pool Children, and extra. Of their new assertion, Holzman and Hughes inspired followers to nonetheless attend the pageant, which they emphasised “has at all times been greater than this band.” “Please share the occasion together with your family and friends,” they concluded. “Not solely is that this fest full of unbelievable expertise however it’s important to assist trans rights, trans care, and trans artwork proper now. We will likely be again.”
Learn Ekko Astral’s full assertion beneath.
Hey buddies,
On the finish of March, we will likely be supporting mclusky on the West Coast, and taking part in Treefort Fest.
On that run, you’ll be able to stay up for never-performed songs from our upcoming report, ‘the beltway is burning’. We hope to see you all there. After these speedy commitments, Ekko Astral wants time to recalibrate.
We wished to maneuver by our unique schedule, however we have realized we might profit from extra time and bandwidth. to provide beltway, our satisfaction and pleasure, the second it deserves. We’re suspending the album and all different performances. To our followers, we’re sorry for this delay. We admire all of the assist you’ve got proven for this band.
Liberation Weekend II will nonetheless occur as deliberate. The occasion has the identical nice crew behind final 12 months, and we have been passing alongside roles to a rising crew of volunteers who’re ensuring this fundraiser for trans rights and care is an absolute blast.
Ekko Astral is not taking part in Liberation Weekend II. We urge you to please nonetheless go. This pageant has at all times been greater than this band. Please share the occasion together with your family and friends. Not solely is that this fest full of unbelievable expertise however it’s important to assist trans rights, trans care, and trans artwork proper now.
We will likely be again.
