DJ & Record Label Owner Asquith Accused Of Sexual Assault

DJ, producer and Lobster Theremin record label owner Asquith has this morning been accused of sexual assault.

Asquith is one of the most powerful people in underground dance music globally, curating and owning one of the biggest labels in the space.

The accusations were made by a former Lobster Theremin employee and DJ who shared her story on Instagram.

The statement reads, "i'm coming on here to share my story of something that happened to me recently, as a word of warning to others and an explanation for my move back from london to glasgow. many of those closest to me already know and have known for a while as i've kept it to myself, but i dont want to be silenced anymore.

i'm sick and tired of the music scene being such an unsafe place.

after being placed on a lineup with the di and label owner asquith last year, we quickly became friends and he convinced me to move to london for my music career. i put a lot of trust in him, as he was over a decade my senior and had a lot of experience in the industry, so i did. looking back, there were a few red flags at the beginning of our friendship (such as sending me money and buying me things) but i was so excited at the prospect of a major step up in my career that i thought i was just being silly.

shortly after my move to london he invited me out for drinks where he began to act extremely inappropriately and coerced me into going back to his flat despite me repeatedly saying no. i felt pressured and feared of being stranded alone in a new city and ubers were failing to show.

immediately after we got to his i was sexually assaulted. i was grabbed, and asked forcefully to perform sexual acts whilst he exposed and touched himself. not once was any consent made and i did not know how to react except freeze up from fear. unfortunately this was not an isolated incident and his inappropriate and controlling behaviours continued through messages and in person in the weeks that followed. some examples included controlling how i ran my own instagram page, invalidation of my feelings, and manipulation tactics.

for this reason i, and others, have left the lobster theremin label (which he employed me to work at) as i cannot begin to heal otherwise. i have also chosen to move back to glasgow, as dealing with the situation alone in london has proven to be too difficult.

i had one final conversation with jimmy (asquith) where i directly addressed the first incident and his behaviours, to which he admitted but responded in a very roundabout way. it really hurts to admit but the truth is that i was groomed as a young professional in the industry - and i fear for others that may end up in the same position as me. by his own admission 'all' his friends are 'young queer graduates' - coming from a 36 year old man this rings alarm bells.

i am deeply saddened by everything that has happened and i'm truly not the person i used to be. i'm struggling to work in the industry anymore due to the anxiety of what else could happen. all i want is a place where i can be safe and free to express myself and i feel massively let down and taken advantage of.

sending love to other survivors out there and i'm truly greatful for those around me who have provided me with so much support in dealing with everything."

Survivors have turned to sharing their stories on social media because the criminal justice system has and continues to fail them. This terrifies abusers and their supporters who have been benefitting from the current system for centuries

— Annabel Ross (@annabel_ross) October 1, 2022