Topshelf Records has dropped Washington, D.C. punk band Ekko Astral and is immediately ceasing all involvement with The Beltway Is Burning, their upcoming second album. The record label did not initially specify its reasoning. “We can no longer support Ekko Astral and will not be releasing their album 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨,” Topshelf wrote on Instagram. “This includes the end of in-house PR service from the label. Refunds for pre-orders will be issued within 5-10 business days.”
When asked if Topshelf’s decision was related to the recent fallout between Ekko Astral frontwoman Jael Holzman and former drummer Miri Tyler, the label collectively told Pitchfork, “Yes, all of these events, and more, have irreversibly impacted our ability to continue working with this band or releasing their music. We have no further comment.”
In a statement to Pitchfork, Holzman said, “There is a lot of misinformation spreading about this story. We will have more to share in the near future.” Holzman also confirmed that The Beltway Is Burning will still be released independently, calling it “our pride and joy.”
The sudden announcement from Topshelf comes in the wake of last week’s Washington City Paper story, which describes the rift between Holzman and Tyler. On February 6, Holzman filed a peace order petition in Montgomery County District Court, accusing Tyler of threatening her on social media. According to the story, Tyler has denied making threats against anyone.
“I do not want to see Miri Tyler go to jail and do not think that is a remedy here,” Holzman reportedly wrote in her petition. “But I need her to stay far, far away from me and leave me alone, so we can both move on and she can find the help she clearly needs.” The peace order against Tyler remains in effect until August 13.
Tyler publicly announced her exit from Ekko Astral on January 28, but said at the time she planned on playing a final show at this year’s Liberation Fest II, the D.C. punk festival supporting trans liberation and mutual aid, which is set to take place in April. Holzman told Stereogum that Tyler is “absolutely not barred” from playing the festival, adding, “[it’s] a community event for anyone, the order speaks nothing on that, and I would do anything to make sure that mission stays true.”
Ekko Astral released their debut full-length, Pink Balloons, on Topshelf in 2024. Best friends Holzman and Liam Hughes started the band in 2021, and expanded into a four-piece to include drummer Miri Tyler and bassist Guinevere Tully shortly afterwards. A few months after releasing Pink Balloons, Tully left Ekko Astral, citing “a negative toll on [her] physical and mental health” and a desire to focus on her solo project, Rosslyn Station.