Since the well-received release of 2012’s Visions, Grimes (Claire Boucher) has been working on a new album that’s hopefully due early next year. In addition to the new album, Boucher released a very minimal tour schedule, consisting mainly of festivals. But next week Grimes is playing a private show in Moscow, a decision that has upset some of her fans because Russia has banned “propaganda on nontraditional sexual relationships” in an attempt to stifle the country’s gay community. After receiving criticism via Twitter, Boucher defended her decision on her Tumblr:

Yes, I am playing in Moscow in 2 days and no, i do not feel bad about it. I don’t think that denying and ignoring the gay community in russia is cool. I have gay friends in russia and the only strait person on the Grimes team is james as far as i know lol.

We are entering safely and it means the world to me to be returning 2 russia. It doesn’t hurt the government if I refuse to tour there. Just regular people. So i don’t think it’s wrong to be doing this. Refusing to go to russia would only hurt fans

also – this is a private event. fans should know that ill be back for a bigger show when i finish the record that will be open to the public