Washington, D.C. Punk band Ekko Astral announced today, March 4, that they are postponing the release of their second album, the beltway is burning, and will no longer perform at this year’s Liberation Weekend festival. The band cited a demand to “recalibrate” and give their upcoming record “the moment it deserves,” according to a statement released this afternoon.
The decision follows a tumultuous period for the band, beginning with their label, Topshelf Records, dropping them in February. The label’s announcement came after news surfaced regarding a peace order filed by frontwoman Jael Holzman against former drummer Miri Tyler. Despite the label’s decision, Holzman initially confirmed to Pitchfork on February 23 that Ekko Astral planned to release the album independently on April 22.
Ekko Astral will honor their immediate touring commitments, including West Coast dates supporting Mclusky and a performance at Idaho’s Treefort Fest later this month. However, all subsequent performances beyond that run have been postponed. “We wanted to move by our original schedule, but we’ve realized we would benefit from more time and bandwidth,” the band stated. “To our fans, we’re sorry for this delay. We appreciate all the support you’ve shown for this band.”
Label Drops Band Amid Dispute
Topshelf Records’ decision to sever ties with Ekko Astral stemmed from a dispute between Holzman and Tyler. Tyler had announced her plans to leave the band in January, citing the toll that touring was taking on her mental health. On February 6, Holzman filed for a peace order in Montgomery County District Court, alleging that Tyler had threatened her via a poem recited in a now-deleted TikTok video. The order, which prohibits Tyler from contacting Holzman directly or indirectly, remains in effect until August 13, Washington City Paper reported.
The situation escalated after the Washington City Paper published its initial report, prompting Ekko Astral to contest the article, claiming “inaccuracies and omissions” led to online harassment and ultimately contributed to their separation from Topshelf Records. City Paper stands by its reporting, stating in an editor’s note that Ekko Astral’s claims are “unfounded and misleading.”
Liberation Weekend to Proceed Without Ekko Astral
Ekko Astral co-founded Liberation Weekend, a festival supporting trans liberation and mutual aid, in 2025. Despite their withdrawal, the band encouraged supporters to attend the second annual event, scheduled for April 24-26 at Black Cat and Transmission D.C. “Please share the event with your friends and family,” they stated. “Not only is this fest filled with incredible talent but We see vital to support trans rights, trans care, and trans art right now. We will be back.” The festival will feature performances by Laura Jane Grace, Illuminati Hotties, and Pool Kids, among others.
The band’s full statement reads:
Hello friends,
At the end of March, we will be supporting mclusky on the West Coast, and playing Treefort Fest. On that run, you can look forward to never-performed songs from our upcoming record, ‘the beltway is burning’. We hope to see you all there. After these immediate commitments, Ekko Astral needs time to recalibrate. We wanted to move by our original schedule, but we’ve realized we would benefit from more time and bandwidth. To give beltway, our pride and joy, the moment it deserves. We are postponing the album and all other performances. To our fans, we’re sorry for this delay. We appreciate all the support you’ve shown for this band.
The future of the beltway is burning remains uncertain, but Ekko Astral has indicated their intention to release the album independently at a later date. The band’s decision to postpone performances and focus on recalibration suggests a period of internal reflection and reorganization. Further developments regarding the album’s release and the band’s future plans are expected in the coming months.
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