Amber Coffman, Bethany Cosentino, Others Accuse Publicist Of Sexual Misconduct
Scroll down for the most recent updates to this story.
Last night, on Twitter, Dirty Projectors member Amber Coffman recounted an incident in which she was sexually assaulted by music publicist Heathcliff Berru, founder of Life Or Death PR & Management, whose firm’s roster includes artists such as Odd Future, D’Angelo, DIIV, Killer Mike, of Montreal, Speedy Ortiz, Cloud Nothings, and others:
Was just re-telling/re-remembering a story abt how a very popular music publicist RUBBED my ass and BIT my hair at a bar a couple years ago
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
This was someone I barely knew and had just met. He did it in front of 4 of my male friends. Still makes me so damn mad thinking about it
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Still mad at myself as well for not punching him in the nose, but I totally froze up. Weird survival instinct I guess
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Just was looking at their current roster and it's amazing. People I know even. Funny how shitty, fake ass people can have so much success
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
And in case anyone was wondering who the ass rubbing, hair biting mother fucker was, I'm not afraid to say it-
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
It was Heathcliff Berru, at Life or Death PR and MGMT
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
I've been told many women have had scary stories about him for years but are scared to speak up. And dudes overlook it and keep hiring him
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Tired of sketchy ass dudes and sexual predators getting a pass from their "bros." Grow a spine and hold your friends accountable ✌🏼️
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Other women in the industry expressed their their support and shared similar stories, including Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino:
Thank you @Amber_Coffman for bravely speaking the truth. Heathcliff Berru is a scumbag and I'm glad someone finally spoke up.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016
@Amber_Coffman good for you for doing this. I was too freaked out to ever say anything. Seriously he's not a good person on any level.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016
@motormouthmedia @Amber_Coffman I'm so sad to hear so many women have had this experience w/ him but I'm happy it's being brought to light
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016
@dangervillage @Amber_Coffman karma is real. ❤️ to you both + ur honesty + bravery.
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) January 19, 2016
This morning, after her tweets were covered in stories from Brooklyn Magazine and The Observer, Coffman offered the following response:
Just woke up to so many responses from last night and I'm stunned! I was really just venting an had no idea it would get such a response…
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Thanks so much for all the support- seems clear that it can be helpful to share these stories. When it happened I was afraid of my own wrath
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
I told my friends and a few people in the music biz that I knew closely but that's it. I now wish I had said more sooner…
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Maybe it could've spared more from having the same thing + worse happen to them. Unfortunately these kind of scenarios are common for women
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
What happened to me is of course the mellow side of the kind of things that happen to women- maybe it's not as easy to share certain stories
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
But I hope those who want to will feel more supported to do so
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
I do want to say that when this first happened, I told Domino records, who were working on projects with him + they stopped working with him
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
They told me they've held their commitment of not working with him ever since, and I really appreciate that gesture. More should follow suit
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
We’ve reached out to Berru for comment, and we’ll update if we hear back.
UPDATE: Additional artists and people within the music industry have come forward with their stories:
Thank you @Amber_Coffman in 2009 he grabbed my ass and then held me down onto my couch as he unzipped his pants &forced my hand on his dick.
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016
.@Amber_Coffman I told our "manager" at the time who said "we are going to have to get over that arent we" if I cared about my band.
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016
. @Amber_Coffman I felt humiliated and violated and alone. I told some of he & I's mutual guy friends & no one helped me… My own "friends"
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016
. @Amber_Coffman I wanted to speak out, but I was scared- of the backlash, seeming like a victim, of defending myself & having to relive it
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016
So thank you @Amber_Coffman For having the courage that I didn't have in 2009. We have to speak out or it will happen to others.
— TEARIST (@_TEARIST_) January 19, 2016
@Amber_Coffman this same night he roofied at least 2 other girls. he never touched me but i heard it all verbally. his crew is this best tho
— faithy wap (@faithsilva) January 19, 2016
dude this is real…had to tell him to fuck off and leave me alone at bonnaroo a couple years ago @Amber_Coffman https://t.co/6h2wTlLxB4
— Martika Finch (@mAAAtika) January 19, 2016
@dangervillage @Amber_Coffman Had an experience or two where he was uncomfortably aggressive in ways I thankfully don't usually experience
— Shirley Braha (@shirleybraha) January 19, 2016
I don't have a lot to say on @Amber_Coffman's story right now except that her story is my story and I am sorry I didn't speak up sooner.
— Theodora Karatzas (@theokaratzas) January 19, 2016
I was sexually assaulted by Heathcliff Berru when I was 21, the first week I moved to NYC. https://t.co/7Z6dhBSUr1
— Roxy Lange (@RoxyLange) January 19, 2016
Coffman also offered additional comment on the situation:
There are a lot of incredible artists on Life or Death PR that I respect very much and I hope this doesn't cause them too much of a headache
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
But something like that is just one small example of why so many women are scared to say anything. Now more than ever I realize that
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
Domino records asked me what I wanted them to do at the time- I said I couldn't make that decision for them. They made their own decision
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
More people need to offer their support and solidarity to women instead of putting the choice on them or making them demand it/beg for it
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 19, 2016
UPDATE 2: Wavves and Speedy Ortiz — two bands that are represented by Berru’s PR Agency — have responded to the assault allegations:
. @HeathcliffB @LifeorDeathPR pic.twitter.com/1G0km0Liw6
— WAVVES (@wavves) January 19, 2016
we worked w 2 great publicists at life or death on foil deer. never met/spoke to heathcliff. it's fucked to hear about this abuse&harassment
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016
we're waiting to have a longer convo with them. but we fully support @Amber_Coffman @dangervillage @maaatika for bringing this info public
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016
and want to make it clear that we have no interest in directly or indirectly supporting an abuser, now or ever
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016
UPDATE 3: According to a statement, Heathcliff Berru is stepping down as CEO of Life Or Death. This action follows a number of public firings from bands on their roster, including Wavves and DIIV. Nick Dierl, president of the company, issued the following statement:
Life or Death has a zero tolerance policy for the type of conduct alleged in today’s on-line postings. We take these allegations very seriously.
The men and women who make up this company do not, and will not, condone or tolerate any conduct described in the on-line postings. Life Or Death is 3 men and 3 women who are committed to promoting art and serving the clients that we’re so privileged to represent. We are taking measures to ensure that the alleged behavior did not, and will not, make its way into company operations or impact our commitment to promoting art and assisting our clients.
We are grateful to Heathcliff Berru for all the work he’s done to date and his creative vision at the company. We appreciate and support his decision to step down as CEO of Life Or Death.
Dierl has clarified to Stereogum that “[Berru] will not be involved in the operations at all moving forward.” It is unclear at this point if Berru will still own and have a financial stake in the company.
UPDATE 4: Speedy Ortiz has severed ties with the company:
wishing best to folks who worked there. they seem nauseated. but doesn't feel personally ok to work w a company built by an attempted rapist
— sadie dupuis (@sad13) January 19, 2016
UPDATE 5: Coffman shared a more detailed account of the incident with The Cut:
I was introduced to Heathcliff in L.A. at an Unknown Mortal Orchestra show through a friend and he got us into the show. He was very friendly and he introduced me to his fiancée so I sort of thought, Okay, well this guy is not threatening. And then a week later I went to the same show back in New York and I ran into him backstage after the show and he said, ‘Hey, let me get your number.’ It seemed harmless to me so I gave him my number.
Then we go to the after-party and it’s like me and it’s a lot of my friends there just hanging out at this cocktail bar. We’ve probably been there for about an hour and I was with my friend and we had just ordered drinks and we were leaning on the bar, and across on the other side of the room I saw Heathcliff make eye contact with me. He walked over and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s coming to say hi,’ and as soon as I thought that he comes up to me and his hand goes straight to my ass. He was rubbing up and down and I totally froze up. I told my friend ‘I’ll be right back’ and ran over and grabbed three of my other guy friends and I said, ‘Hey, will you guys come back over with me, I ditched my friend and my drink’s over there but this guy just grabbed my ass.’
So I walked back up with three guys and Heathcliff was still standing there and he says to me, ‘Can I just tell you that you’re incredibly cute?’ And then he grabs my hair and starts biting it in front of all these guys. We just left immediately. One of my friends almost punched him in the face.
I told Domino Records and I told my friends and people who I knew but I guess I didn’t really think to take it public. And it wasn’t until now that I realized that I was actually kind of scared to in a way.
And Beach Fossils and Kelela have also left Life Or Death:
After what's come to light, Beach Fossils will no longer be working with Life or Death PR.
— Beach Fossils (@beachfossils) January 19, 2016
Just wanna say I stand with all the women who are courageously speaking out.💪🏾👊🏾
I am no longer a client of @LifeorDeathPR/heathcliff
— Kelela (@kelelam) January 20, 2016
About time someone said something…
— Sky Ferreira (@skyferreira) January 20, 2016
Today was another reminder that the indie world isn't an enlightened safe haven for women. abuse and harassment can happen anywhere
— ALICE GLASS (@ALICEGLASS) January 20, 2016
UPDATE 6: Berru has issued a statement to LA Weekly:
There have been several reports about my alleged inappropriate behavior which deserve a response. I am deeply sorry for those who I have offended by my actions and how I have made certain women feel. If I crossed the line of decency or respectfulness in situations when I was drunk and under the influence, there is no excuse of course. To be clear, while my conduct may have been inappropriate, I have never drugged anyone or engaged in that type of behavior. Nevertheless, I do not want to be the type of person who would let drugs or alcohol take command of his life and compromise how he treats people. Yet I have been this person and it’s time to put a stop to all of this. Create a world with one less inappropriate man.
I have been fighting a losing battle against drugs and alcohol for many years and will be checking into a rehabilitation facility in the hope that I can improve my chances of winning that fight. A year ago, I was confronted by a peer and began to try to clean up and make things right with therapy and with an eye towards quitting the addiction. The shame and sadness feels as strong now as it did then and I am making an immediate change.
I have already lost my wife, abandoned my family, and destroyed those I love as a result of my shameful, embarrassing, unacceptable behavior. I deeply apologize to them as well. By no means do they deserve to feel the pain of my actions. Please give them the space they deserve. They were the light at the end of a dark tunnel. I was married during some of these years and hid my problems from everyone well. Especially her and her family. Totally inexcusable.
In no way do these allegations reflect on Life or Death PR, its staff, or anyone associated with the company. These are my issues, not theirs. I could not be more proud of the company and what it stands for. That being said I have stepped down as the CEO and [am] relinquishing all responsibility to the current president, Nick Dierl. The company shouldn’t have to deal with this distraction and I want Nick and the rest of the team to continue to do their good work while I take care of myself.
UPDATE 7: Killer Mike has responded, indicating that “Life Or Death is no more,” and noting that his day-to-day publicist has been and will continue to be LoD employee Duncan Will:
My Publicist Lost his wife, biz & Rep. My friend Got an ear full from me about how fucked up he behaved. Amber deserves all our support
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
And she and those other women have mine.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
My day to day publicist is Dunkin and he will continue to be. Cliff is still my friend and i will support him in being a better human being
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
Life or death is no more and cliff will be dealing with his drug and alcohol issues.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
My real desire is to see These women Whole healthy and rocking out like great artist and members or the culture.
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
I'm glad The employees (former) of life or death had a plan ready for clients and we chug along without Cliff but with hope that he grows
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
Into the best version of himself we all know is there. My best wishes again to Amber and all the women involved. Your bravery is Admirable
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) January 20, 2016
Here is his Facebook post:
Now that I’ve got everything in order, let me put this out here since my tweets didn’t convey my points/actions clearly.
Yesterday a.m. I read the story about Heathcliff. I called him immediately and ended our biz relationship. I also told him how wrong he was and how disappointed and ashamed I am of his actions and that he’s gotta take whatever’s coming. I also encouraged him to work on being a better human being.I stand in solidarity with the women that have spoke out. No one should have to feel afraid for speaking out when wronged in any manner or feel like no cares about them. This is not ok. For the sake of clarity, I had no knowledge of any of this stuff prior to the story breaking yesterday a.m.
As for publicity moving forward- RTJ has always been repped by Biz3 and I will continue to work with Duncan Will (formerly of LoD) independently. He’s done nothing but be a great publicist to me.
Another point I want to make sure that comes across- Men have to be able to tell our friends and peers when they’re wrong. We cannot just say, it’s not my problem. We can’t expect ppl to improve if we’re not willing to hold them accountable and push them to be better.
Love and Respect.
UPDATE 8: According to a new statement (via The Fader) from (now former) Life Or Death president Nick Dierl, the current staff is leaving the company and will start a “new venture imminently that bears no ties to Heathcliff Berru.” Here’s the statement in full:
In light of recent events, the remainder of the Life or Death staff is leaving the company today.
We are saddened by the circumstances under which we are departing but are grateful for the opportunity we had together.
There will be a new venture imminently that bears no ties to Heathcliff Berru or the Life or Death name.
More soon from Bradley, Linda, Duncan, Emily and Nick.
Just heard that Life or Death PR has dissolved. Smart, but still want to hear more from them about Heathcliff's actions + their complacency
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 20, 2016
Life or Death stated they had a zero tolerance policy for the kind of conduct Heathcliff displayed. Who made that policy? Heathcliff was CEO
— Amber Coffman (@Amber_Coffman) January 21, 2016