Singer-songwriter Lydia Loveless has detailed years of alleged sexual harassment by Chicago musician Mark Panick, the home associate of Bloodshot Records co-founder Nan Warshaw. In a statement posted on Instagram yesterday (February 17), Loveless describes Panick’s alleged “casual predation,” which she says consists of groping, verbal sexual harassment, and Facebook feedback “that would elicit texts from friends [saying], ‘Who is this person? Are you OK?’” In response to the allegations, Panick mentioned he “never set out to make anyone uncomfortable” and apologized “if anything I did made anyone feel unsafe and or uncomfortable.”
Loveless, who launched 5 LPs on Bloodshot between 2011 and 2017, says that Panick was current at “all social events” related to Bloodshot and she or he noticed him as “a face of the label.” She says Panick’s perceived affiliation with the label made her uncomfortable talking out concerning the harassment. “I didn’t know who to tell about these behaviors because I felt afraid, as for me, shows are work events and Mark was a part of the label from my eyes—my label,” she writes. (In a statement launched in a single day, Bloodshot condemns Panick and says he “does not represent us in any way, he is not ‘with’ the label and he does not ‘have our ear.’”)
When Rob Miller, the co-founder and co-owner of Bloodshot, confronted Nan Warshaw about the issue, Warshaw defended Panick, Loveless alleges. In a statement, Warshaw apologizes to Loveless for “any hell or even awkwardness” ensuing from her “actions or inactions.” Warshaw provides, “For the moment I’m going to step away from Bloodshot.”
Loveless says the label ultimately supplied to ban Panick from Bloodshot occasions, which she agreed to. “I don’t think Bloodshot has maliciously encouraged this behavior but instead quieted it to protect their brand, and it has indeed been covered up in my eyes, as the behavior only ceased when I was informed they wanted to begin signing more women,” she says.
In an announcement, Miller backed up a number of the claims, writing, “While I disagree with certain characterizations contained in the content of [Loveless’] recent social media posts, the story is essentially, and sadly, true.” He says he responded proactively to the allegations and that he inspired Loveless to come back ahead. “The shame, humiliation and rage I feel over this is, I fully understand, a fraction of what she feels. To know that I did not see her discomfort as it was happening is something I will forever regret.” Read every assertion beneath. Pitchfork has emailed Bloodshot representatives for additional remark.
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