In May of last year, Real Estate announced that guitarist and founder Matt Mondanile would be leaving the band to focus on his solo work as Ducktails. Now, the group have revealed that Mondanile was fired from the group over allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a statement provided to Pitchfork, Real Estate said that Mondanile was fired "when allegations of unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention," adding that current members are no longer in contact with him.
Real Estate's statement reads as follows:
Matt Mondanile was fired in February 2016 when allegations of unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention. While we urged him to seek counseling at the time of termination, we are no longer in contact. We feel that any abuse of one's power or status to victimize another is completely unacceptable. We applaud the courage of the women who came forward to make us aware so that we could address the issue head on.
A former publicist of Mondanile's confirmed to Spin that she had ended their working relationship upon hearing similar allegations:
When I heard these allegations I spoke with the label and told them I could no longer work with him. The label suggested they would be doing the same. The band firing came later I believe. That was the end of my dealings with him. We never had contact again. He unfollowed me on social media, etc.
Pitchfork also reports that Domino Recording Co. has confirmed that Ducktails is no longer signed to the label. The publication notes that Mondanile denied the allegations in a phone conversation prior to Real Estate's statement.
In a statement provided to Pitchfork, Real Estate said that Mondanile was fired "when allegations of unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention," adding that current members are no longer in contact with him.
Real Estate's statement reads as follows:
Matt Mondanile was fired in February 2016 when allegations of unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention. While we urged him to seek counseling at the time of termination, we are no longer in contact. We feel that any abuse of one's power or status to victimize another is completely unacceptable. We applaud the courage of the women who came forward to make us aware so that we could address the issue head on.
A former publicist of Mondanile's confirmed to Spin that she had ended their working relationship upon hearing similar allegations:
When I heard these allegations I spoke with the label and told them I could no longer work with him. The label suggested they would be doing the same. The band firing came later I believe. That was the end of my dealings with him. We never had contact again. He unfollowed me on social media, etc.
Pitchfork also reports that Domino Recording Co. has confirmed that Ducktails is no longer signed to the label. The publication notes that Mondanile denied the allegations in a phone conversation prior to Real Estate's statement.
