Photo via @ArielPink on IG


After attending Jan. 6’s demonstration-turned-riot at the U.S. Capitol, lo-fi indie artist Ariel Pink is feeling a backlash from fans and music industry professionals alike.

According to Pitchfork, the photograph confirming Pink’s attendance (alongside fellow musician John Maus) was taken by filmmaker Alex Lee Moyer and posted to Instagram with the caption “the day we almost died but instead had a great time.”

Victims of the violence at the Capitol include Brian Sicknick of Capitol Police, 42, who was “struck in the head with a fire extinguisher”, in what’s now being ruled as an act of homicide.

“i was in dc to peacefully show my support for the president… i attended the rally on the white house lawn and went back to hotel and took a nap. case closed,” Pink attempted to clarify via social media, asserting he did not partake in the violent, unlawful activity in the Capitol building.

In turn, Pink’s label Mexican Summer has distanced itself from the artist, writing via Twitter, “Due to recent events, Mexican Summer and its staff have decided to end our working relationship with Ariel Rosenberg AKA Ariel Pink moving forward.”

In the past, Pink has made his political beliefs known, tweeting on Dec. 30, 2020, “vote for trump.”

He echoed this sentiment in the fallout of his Jan. 6 attendance, tweeting once again on Jan. 7, “vote for trump.”