Neutral Milk Hotel’s Julian Koster denies accusations of grooming and sexual assault
Julian Koster, member of indie band Neutral Milk Hotel and The Music Tapes leader, has denied allegations of grooming and sexually assaulting Elephant 6 and former The Music Tapes member Nesey Gallons.
On July 9th, Gallons posted details on Instagram about their relationship with Koster when she was age 15. “I began to communicate by telephone and correspond via email with Julian Koster routinely in early Y2K at age 15, each exchange gradually becoming more intimate, though seemingly innocent,” they wrote.
They explained that Koster then invited her to visit him in New York, where he “had no qualms letting me have cannabis and stare dreamily into his eyes.” A few months later, Gallons said the relationship “became sexual” which “constitutes ‘grooming'”
In response to the allegations, Koster posted a statement on his account, explaining that anything that occurred in their relationship was consensual. “This is painful and scary to share,” the musician wrote. “I have been the victim of intimidation, manipulation, and abuse by Nesey Gallons for many years.”
He continued: “Nesey’s recent statements are part of a campaign against me, which is documented in thousands of disturbing, abusive, and obsessive messages. Nesey and I entered a consensual relationship in 2001, which continued until 2008. When the relationship began I was 28 and Nesey was 16, just before her 17th birthday.”
He added, “Though this put her over Georgia’s legal age of consent when our relationship began, it was wrong to allow the relationship to happen at all and I’ve apologized to Nesey many times for that.” He also admitted, “I should have been more responsible about the age gap, but I deny all the other accusations she’s made.”
Although Gallons also accused Koster of distancing himself from her, she called out Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum for not supporting them or speaking out at the time or since. “Others close to him (actual adults, unlike myself, as I was still 16!) could have also acted on this information then. Why didn’t you, Jeff?” She wrote.
However, in Koster’s statement, he explained his version of events, stating: “Anyone who knows me or knew me then understands that I always try with all my heart to approach people with empathy and love, including Nesey, and over the last few years I’ve been working hard to build a friendship and to listen to her and acknowledge the pain that she feels.”
Continuing, “My effort have been met with increasingly disturbing behaviour,” adding that Gallons has “demanded that I be in a romantic relationship with them” and “marry Nesey” and “let them control me.” He concluded his statement by stating he is “no longer able to tolerate being abused and controlled” and is “seeking an order of protection”.
Gallons’ only response so far to Koster’s statement is a comment on social media in which she states: “I need a gallon of coffee before I can possibly say anything about that disappointing rubbish.”
This is a developing story.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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