Andrea Domanick11/7 UPDATE: Photographer Amy Harris has decided to press charges against Left Brain. He faces six months in jail and fines of up to $1000.
10/31 UPDATE: A photographer at the event named Skip Bolen says that Left Brain did, in fact, hit Amy Harris, as well as another photographer. A representative from the festival has also issued an apology to the assembled media.
A female photographer has accused Odd Future member Left Brain of slapping her in the face and knocking her to the ground during the collective's performance in New Orleans yesterday.
Left Brain, a producer whose real name is Vyron Turner, admits to “swiping” at cameras during the show. Further, Louisiana television station NBC33 reports that he was throwing water at pit photographers. Odd Future's publicist, however, denies that Left Brain slapped the woman, whose name is Amy Harris.
Now, a photographer who says he witnessed the scene has corroborated the act's account.
Writes Nate “Igor” Smith, in a statement released by Odd Future.
“I was RIGHT next to that woman and she didn't get hit in the face. Her camera got slapped right after another MALE photographers camera got slapped. The three of us were the closest to the stage after the water incident and that is why he targeted those two photographers. I have a feeling the only reason he didn't slap my camera is because I was clearly enjoying the show.” [sic]
Smith adds that Left Brain, one-half of the Odd Future sub-group Mellowhype, was indeed pouring water on photographers at the event — called the Voodoo Experience — but contends that was just part of the fun.
When they poured water on the crowd photographers they were specifically targeting me. I got hit right in the face. The photogs on either side barely got wet. I was soaked…This is what rock and roll should be all about.”
The full statement from Odd Future regarding the incident is below, and we will stay with this story as it develops.
“There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet. Its no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes their fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they've done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative.”
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