Former Dogma guitarist Patri Grief has issued a brand new private assertion relating to her exit from the outfit and her experiences within the band. Earlier this week, Grief, who was the primary to painting the character of guitarist Rusalka within the band, got here ahead alongside Grace Jane Pasturini, the second singer to painting vocalist Lilith, and Amber Maldonado, the second particular person to play the position of guitarist Lamia.
In Grief‘s new assertion, she makes additional allegations in opposition to the band’s administration, claiming to have been repeatedly undervalued, manipulated and gaslighted. She additionally claims that she was in the end ejected from the group after touring to the USA with out being supplied with a correct visa from the band’s administration.
She said that state of affairs led to her and a deliberate substitute vocalist each being detained and despatched again residence. Grief went on to allege that upon being denied entry into the USA, she was instantly changed within the band with out a lot as an apology. Her assertion reads as follows:
“The Rusalka that when was, and can all the time be
Hey guys. Rusalka (Patri Grief) right here. I wished to speak just a little bit extra in regards to the latest occasions, what occurred, why it occurred, and shed some gentle on the state of affairs.
In November 2023, I used to be contacted to be a part of Dogma; I instantly fell in love with the venture. I immediately fell in love with the aesthetic and songwriting. It appeared like a as soon as in a lifetime alternative. I used to be employed as Rusalka, and the journey started.
You would possibly already know the way a lot I put my soul into this venture, all the time bringing concepts, collaborating with my drawings on drumheads and playing cards, going to the merch sales space each single night time, and general, defining who Rusalka was. Rusalka relies on a really, VERY private factor that I went by, and I one way or the other felt the followers actually related to the character in a number of methods. Rusalka was unhinged, loopy, barely creepy, however all the time supportive and there to pay attention. A number of of you reached out to me by the character’s account in search of assist, which I used to be all the time joyful to offer. Some very private info was shared, from the followers and from me, but the account was taken away by the administration the minute I used to be not admitted into the USA.
I gave my all the pieces into this venture as a result of, even when issues felt off with the supervisor. I stored pondering ‘you’re doing this for them, and also you’re doing this for the teenage Patri who wanted you probably the most.’ I believed Dogma was about ‘giving a voice to those that don’t have one,’ which resonated with me. As a baby, I all the time wished to change into an expert musician particularly for that cause: to offer shelter. I hid in music once I wanted it probably the most, and I wished to return the favor. With that in thoughts, I went to the merch desk each night time, learn each fan message, and answered all that I may. Because the character developed, so did I. The followers that I met — I wouldn’t even contemplate them as followers, however pals. I used to be, and nonetheless am, keen to offer my all to them.
This administration took benefit of my kindness. I used to be keen to take action many issues without cost, and, after all, I barely obtained a ‘thanks’ in return. However the minute I set a boundary (as in, ‘Hey, I’d moderately not allow you to use my gear with out permission’) I used to be met with ‘you’re displaying that you simply’re not dedicated to the venture.’ The minute I stated ‘Then why would I be serving to with the merch? Why would I be aiding the 2 new guitarists, if I used to be not dedicated to the venture?’ I obtained a ‘I paid you accordingly.’ I used to be given a 100€ tip on the finish of three excursions, which, as you’ll be able to think about, doesn’t even match the minimal wage for the work that I had been doing. However nonetheless, it’s high quality, as a result of it was my concept, and I by no means did it for the cash within the first place. I did it for you, for me, and for Rusalka, as she was born from the loopy and misunderstood.
He used the truth that he tipped me to make me shut up, after which he stated that it might be higher if I finished doing it for this US tour. He’d moderately cease the connection between musician and fan than acknowledge the efforts I put into the band.
The explanation why I’m not within the band is moderately easy: I wasn’t accepted into the USA as a result of administration wouldn’t present the correct VISA. I watched one other member get kicked out merely for asking for the proper working VISA, so it appeared fairly clear to me: both go on tour, or get replaced. There was no different possibility. I flew to the US with the one who was imagined to be the brand new singer. We have been each interrogated and detained. They took our telephones (you’ll be able to think about how anxious my household was), belts, earrings, and even our shoelaces. After 48 hours, we have been despatched again residence.
The minute I turned my telephone again on, I had a message from administration saying ‘hey I discovered a substitute, may you train her the songs?’ Not even an apology for taking the chance! Solely him asking for extra. Once I received again residence, I instructed him that I used to be detained for 48 due to his poorly made choice, to which he answered ‘no person compelled you to take action. It was your choice, and you bought caught since you have been sporting a Pirate Queen t-shirt below your hoodie.’
I used to be performed. I used to be performed as a result of all through all of the fours, I’ve needed to cope with consuming solely twice a day as a result of he didn’t need to present three meals. Each time I voiced my concern, I used to be shut down with the response of ‘no band ever calls for that sort of factor,’ whereas seeing bandmates cry below situations that we accepted due to the chance. Each time I attempted to debate points, I used to be met with gaslighting. I used to be handled poorly for having mentioned the contract with one other bandmate with a view to obtain higher situations.
I used to be unable to organise something in my life due to multi-month excursions being deliberate with little discover. I used to be pressured into shopping for a chunk of substances (apart from the guitar) that was ‘obligatory’ which ended up not being essential in any respect, it was as an alternative used to hold vinyl and CDs as an alternative of my guitar with out my permission. The response? ‘No one compelled you to take action, it was a suggestion.’ I used to be instructed ‘Do you suppose I’d nonetheless rent you if I had extra money? Sorry to say, however the minute I can begin paying extra, I achieve entry to the individuals who cost extra.’ Any time anybody expressed frustration with the state of affairs, the response was ‘They should f*ck to be calm’ or ‘They complain an excessive amount of as a result of they’re ladies.’ I used to be sick of him placing us down with a view to maintain us small and silent.
Regardless of all of this, being a touring musician has all the time been my dream, and I beloved Dogma, the concept, the idea, the character I performed, and the potential of giving to Music no less than just a little little bit of what Music gave to me once I wanted it most.
Grace, Amber and I will not be letting you down, and we are going to get up for ourselves and the music we play. This administration nonetheless has excellent obligations, as in the end it was his accountability to supply what was required for a protected work setting. He failed to take action in a gross negligence which value me and a poor lady — who didn’t even get the prospect to sing one present after spending 48 hours in detention. It was a visit that led to nothing however disappointment. I used to be disillusioned to see how simply replaceable we’re, to see my character performed by another person who’s utilizing a playback at a reside present that followers can’t even file, all as a result of he’s making an attempt to cover the truth that he’s promoting one thing followers didn’t pay for.
And, so as to add one thing moderately tacky and petty to my assertion, I’ll say, in Dogma‘s ordinary mystique, however with none AI behind my phrases: ‘We have been joined collectively in a darkish ritual of music and blood, we went by sacrifices that you simply but don’t know. Our voices won’t be silenced, as, so far as we now discuss with our cursed spirits, we are going to show to you, before you suppose, that the staves have already been drawn, the concord is ready, and the hexed melody of the coven is dying to be launched’.
Your assist means the world to me. To us. I’ve learn each single message, and, in all honesty, a number of of you had made me cry. Nothing new, although, as, because the starting, whilst you admired the band from afar, I admired you again from the shadows.”