Chris Tracy, Adena Kartheiser, Base Camp Pub and Eatery 630 Productions involved in sexual exploitation scandal Lisle Illinois
What started as a promising opportunity with 630 Productions and Base Camp Pub and Eatery quickly turned into a nightmare of sexual coercion, financial manipulation, and retaliation.
It began with Chris Tracy, the owner of 630 Productions, contacting me about performing at his "Springapalooza" event. Almost immediately, the messages took a disturbing turn. He bombarded me with inappropriate texts, pressuring me into sex work, boasting about his past earnings in the porn industry. It was sickening.
When I finally met Adena Kartheiser, the manager at Base Camp, Chris mainly introduced me to her to show me there was a legitimate opportunity. She even gave me a regular slot as an open mic host and booked me for multiple other shows on the spot. And then afterwards, Chris shamelessly tried to get me to help him persuade my female business partner, who I had brought with me to the meeting, into also partaking in pornography. I protected her and told him that she was not interested, told her what his plans were, and then she quit the production not even a week later.
The manipulation intensified. Chris coerced me into sending him sexual content, promising compensation that never materialized. I'm now haunted by the possibility that he sold those images without my knowledge or consent.
He wasn't just exploiting me. Chris openly admitted to ripping off other bands, going back on agreed-upon payment terms. He'd come up with excuses for not paying us in full, and the lack of contracts made it easy for him to take advantage of us.
When I finally stood up to Chris and refused his disgusting propositions, he retaliated. He canceled all our shows and conspired with Adena to sabotage the PRIDE festival I had poured my heart and soul into. They threatened me, demanding money, and showed no regard for the LGBTQ+ community or the charities that would suffer. Adena's homophobia and the hateful comments the event received revealed the ugly truth about the lack of support for our community in DuPage County.
The cancellation of PRIDE was devastating, but it also opened my eyes. It exposed the lack of support for LGBTQ+ events and the deeply rooted discrimination in our community.
I'm not alone in this. Many artists have shared similar stories of exploitation and discrimination at Base Camp and by 630 Productions. We deserve respect, fair pay, and safe spaces to create.
This isn't just about me; it's about protecting all artists and creating a music community that truly values and supports its own. We can't let this continue. It's time to hold those in power accountable, demand better for ourselves, and build a music scene where everyone feels safe and respected. And furthermore, to protect all women (and men, non-binary, etc) from a working in a hostile work environment where they are victims of sexual harrassment, abuse of power, and sexual exploitation.