photo by Lee Butterworth


Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams resurfaced on social media last night with a series of Instagram posts, including his first statement in months after initially reacting to the sexual misconduct and career manipulation allegations leveled against him in February.

“I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon,” Adams writes. “Because the truth matters. It’s what matters most. I know who I am. What I am. It’s time people know. Past time.”

The statement goes on to reiterate that Adams is through with being silent and wants to share his music again (which he does in a couple other Instagram posts): “All the beauty in a life cannot be reduced to rubble for confusion, ignoring truths that destroy all the good in us. This madness and misunderstanding. There’s enough of that in this world. My work was always meant to be a map for the lost. I’ve tried my best to be open and accountable. Not a billboard. I mean, maybe for being flawed. I’ve always wanted to help. I’m trying. So, soon… because it’s time to get back to what I do best. I’m here for the music, for the love and for making things better.”

Along with the note, Adams shared a few photos as well as two video clips from his studio featuring clips of music (and a third one this morning that seems to show Adams trying out a heavy cover of Duran Duran’s “Rio”), including a snippet his unreleased song “I’m Sorry and I Love You” that was set to be the closing track of Adams’ album Big Colors, which was scheduled for an April release but was shelved after the allegations. Another video clip includes a bit of another song, which sounds very Grateful Dead-esque (Adams had previously done some work with Dead guitarist Bob Weir—and his Dead & Company bandmate John Mayer—in the studio).

Back in February, The New York Times published an exposé detailing allegations against Adams from his ex-wife Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers and others, including a musician who was underage at the time Adams allegedly pursued a sexual relationship with her. Adams was accused of sexual misconduct and career manipulation—using his clout in the industry to control and at times limit the success of multiple younger women. Bridgers, Jenny Lewis and others spoke out on the situation soon after.

Read Adams’ full statement and see his video clip posts below.

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“I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon. Because the truth matters. It’s what matters most. I know who I am. What I am. It's time people know. Past time. All the beauty in a life cannot be reduced to rubble for confusion, ignoring truths that destroy all the good in us. This madness and misunderstanding. There’s enough of that in this world My work was always meant to be a map for the lost. I’ve tried my best to be open and accountable. Not a billboard. I mean, maybe for being flawed. I’ve always wanted to help. I’m trying. So, soon… because it’s time to get back to what I do best. I’m here for the music, for the love and for making things better. I didn’t have an easy life. I lost my brother the day the Prisoner Tour ended. Every night wondering if he would be alive. He was proud of me. My family and my friends were there for that. And so many great fans. For the Meineres community who suffer every day. This music was for then. It mattered. And that was always for it to help. So let’s do that. THAT will matter. The amends made and things lost in the noise, that should’ve mattered too. I want to be a part of that healing. To go play have some great shows and put out these badass records. Believe Women. Believe Truth. But never give up on being part of solutions, and healing. I’ve lost friends who have passed away in this time of self reflection and silence. I can’t be like that. There’s been too much that mattered. Thank you for your kindness, your support and for this time I needed to decide how I could be a part of a better tomorrow for everybody. Sometimes that peace comes from opening yourself up. That’s who I want to be. Here’s to that. With love and with faith- In all of us and our best and our faults RA

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