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As I sit here trying to summon the courage to share my thoughts, I realize that what I am about to share has been living with me for the past 3 years, but has roots a decade old
This is an open letter in response to Ian Campeau’s latest *apology*
Full: https://www.facebook.com/Lido.Pimienta.Musica
This is an open letter in response to Ian Campeau’s latest *apology*
Full: https://www.facebook.com/Lido.Pimienta.Musica
I found out about *the apology* a couple of days after the original post was made on Twitter, through third parties (I have been blocked by Ian for some time now, that was also a surprise to me). I have been his victim too, so this is me coming forward with my story...
...a recount of things as I saw happening being very close to the collective, and the truth (and lies) behind the so called “toxic behaviour” IC so brutally spread all over the media, orchestrating a narrative for his own benefit.
His own behaviour was the “real cause” of his departure from the collective, resulting in irreparable damage to his former A Tribe Called Red ( @atribecalledred ) bandmates and longtime manager @valeoprod
In the interest of keeping people safe, I will start by saying that the words, opinions and conclusions presented here are my own and that I, Lido Pimienta, in no way shape or form have been forced or coerced into writing on behalf or against anyone in my statements.
This post is borne out of love and gratitude to Bear, Tim and Guillaume, who have been Ian’s victims for a very long time.
This also goes out to Justine, the BACKBONE of their now broken family. Justine has been the true provider of health & stability to their 3 beautiful kids.
This also goes out to Justine, the BACKBONE of their now broken family. Justine has been the true provider of health & stability to their 3 beautiful kids.
I want folks to have patience for Justine, who is a cancer survivor, and has been trapped and traumatized by Ian. She has to deal with this lamentable situation, first hand.
And she will go through all the emotions as expected and might “say the wrong thing” and even then,
And she will go through all the emotions as expected and might “say the wrong thing” and even then,
we as a community have no business getting too involved in her personal issues, problems and life. We all deserve space to grow and be free physically and in our minds from all forms of abuse, as does Justine.
I too have been sexually abused by Ian Campeau, but before I get into that I need people to keep their children in mind before commenting online. Remember, OUR children can read and they will absorb those comments and be further traumatized by them.
Nearly a decade ago, I was the “Colombian darling” in diasporic music coming out of South America, living in Canada as a new immigrant without management or a label. As a young single mother and student trying to make ends meet, I was blessed to get an email from somebody who,
...unbeknownst to me, would become my mentor and protector in the music industry TO THIS DAY: A Tribe Called Red’s manager Guillaume Decouflet.
Gui invited me to meet this fresh DJ crew from Ottawa who were making waves by blending traditional Indigenous music electronic music.
Gui invited me to meet this fresh DJ crew from Ottawa who were making waves by blending traditional Indigenous music electronic music.
We all met at a bar next to the venue that hosted a fantastic Portuguese band Buraka Som Sistema; Tribe were their openers. The show was great (here I am in first row captured closely listening while everyone else was really enjoying themselves): https://nowtoronto.com/shows-that-rocked-toronto-last-week-2012-01-19/
Back then, the trio was Bear, Shub and Ian. We had a nice meeting that night and from then on, my friendship with BEAR began, steadily and lovingly. He was like the older brother I never had. He fed me CULTURE (and tacos) was a LIBRARY of knowledge and eager to share it with me.
He (Bear) would take me around the streets of Toronto and tell me the most amazing stories of a city now long gone that I got to live in through his eyes, which were filled with bright dreams of creating something truly beautiful and empowering for his people.
In 2014, after some hard work improving my stage presence and sound, Gui/Tribe invited me to go on tour with them. While being on tour with the band, I began recognizing Ian as the weak link in the collective. Ian did not possess the same musical or technical knowledge as Bear.
Not knowing or having “superior” technical skills to be a good DJ/or producer is not a bad thing (we all have to start somewhere), but when we take this job for granted and don't work towards getting better then it becomes problematic & that is what I started noticing about Ian
He did not put the same amount of work towards his craft as the others did, but enjoyed taking credit for the work done by others around him.
A lot of the “toxic behaviour” Ian alluded to in interviews about his time with ATCR was simply untrue.
A lot of the “toxic behaviour” Ian alluded to in interviews about his time with ATCR was simply untrue.
He talked a lot about WAITING AROUND in a tour bus, van, backstage, in green rooms etc., and not being able to have “deep conversations” with his bandmates or “feeling lonely”. Those moments of waiting around (particularly for press) can be very time-consuming and uninspiring...
And for people who are more introverted (like Bear and Tim). Sometimes these moments can only be balanced with things like a good ol’ graphic novel, superhero toy shopping and Mario Kart!
I guess Ian could say that it was “toxic behaviour,”...
I guess Ian could say that it was “toxic behaviour,”...
but what I found toxic was his ALL-KNOWING AND BEARING-OF-ALL-TRUTHS BECAUSE I AM A WISE NATIVE MAN demeanor. That was not only toxic but extremely annoying.
For instance, when I got the initial loop for the song “The Light I,”...
For instance, when I got the initial loop for the song “The Light I,”...
...I added string and woodwind arrangements, recorded the words/song at home and after Bear heard it, he jokingly told me “Well, I guess we have to make a new record now!”
The result was WE ARE THE HALLUCI NATION. The concept from the start was ALL BEAR:
The result was WE ARE THE HALLUCI NATION. The concept from the start was ALL BEAR:
From the poetry chosen, to the ideas behind it, the mood and treatment of the sounds and how the roll out of the album would go...all comes from the wonderful mind of EHREN THOMAS aka BEAR WITNESS
Super-(s)hero & nerd/culture tightened the bonds between Bear, Tim and I...
Super-(s)hero & nerd/culture tightened the bonds between Bear, Tim and I...
...which is why when it was time to make the video for the song, we sat down to discuss the concept and they trusted me with the music and budget.
Off I went to Chile to direct this video for them.
And where was Ian when the concepts and sounds were forming?
Off I went to Chile to direct this video for them.
And where was Ian when the concepts and sounds were forming?
Where was Ian while the band was figuring out how to integrate a new member (Tim had just joined)?
Easy answer: He had his face BURIED in his phone, constantly fighting with people online obsessively monitoring his online *growth* and, my biggest pet peeve of all:
Easy answer: He had his face BURIED in his phone, constantly fighting with people online obsessively monitoring his online *growth* and, my biggest pet peeve of all:
Grabbing the mic away from Bear so that he could basically REPEAT Bear’s thoughts and present them as his own ideas at any given interview or awards show. Ian is an attention hoarder, and his online “beefs” only made this worse.
Full text: https://www.facebook.com/Lido.Pimienta.Musica
Continuing soon
Full text: https://www.facebook.com/Lido.Pimienta.Musica
Continuing soon
I will post the full text here, but please care with me - Twitter has formatting and character restrictions - Just need to drink some water and breathe and will keep copying my text under this post. Thank you for your patience.
