Music Times caught Krewella at Lollapalooza this summer and it didn't seem like the band was in any trouble. Less than a month later however it seems that two of the founding members—Yousaf sisters Jahan and Yasmine—allegedly plotted to kick producer and songwriter Kris Trindl out of the group...either for profit or because he had become a bore. A lawsuit filed by Trindl seems to suggest both.
Krewella was one of the fastest growing groups in EDM, debuting its first EP during 2012 and then rising to no. 8 on the Billboard 200 with its first album Get Wet last year. The success, maybe couple with just the general theme of the group's music, led to some hard partying-lifestyles. Trindl apparently developed alcoholism and willfully checked himself into rehab for the problem. This sounds like what many groups would call an ideal bandmate: A guy who lives the life, realizes he has a problem and takes care of it himself? If that were the case with Dave Mustaine, Megadeth never would have happened and he would still be in Metallica.
The Yousaf sisters and marketing guru Jake Udell didn't see it so positive however. According to the suit (acquired by The Hollywood Reporter), the rest of Krewella claimed the absence of alcohol in his life made him "depressed" and they insisted he seek intervention for it.
"But the Yousaf sisters didn't like the new, sober Kris, who took care of business but did not party or drink anymore," states the suit. "They thought he was depressed, although he explained it was just part of the recovery process."
He alleges, more importantly, that the duo asked him to stop touring so they could establish themselves as the core of Krewella and eventually force him out with the intent of bringing in more of the profits. By eliminating a core songwriter and employing freelance writers instead, the sisters could ultimately keep more income, according to the suit.
Trindl is looking to get $5 million from the Yousafs and Udell but Dancing Astronaut reports the sisters insist Trindl resigned by his own volition.
Stay tuned.
