Coalesce have announced that they have parted ways with their guitarist Jes Steineger, in the wake of allegations of him conducting an inappropriate relationship with a 24-year-old student while he was serving as her professor. The band first addressed those allegations in a statement shared back on December 23rd, which read as follows:
“We’re aware of a Reddit post and related comments making accusations toward our guitarist Jes and, by extension, the band.
Earlier this year, Jes informed us that he had engaged in a mutual but inappropriate email exchange with a 24-year-old student at his university. Given the obvious concerns around power dynamics, we asked to review all correspondences and evidence. We went through everything thoroughly. The physical contact that has been referenced publicly consisted of consensual interactions, which included student-initiated “pinky swears” and two non-sexual hugs, after which he did not pursue or encourage any further physical contact. Nothing resembling sexual misconduct, predation, or assault occurred. No sexually explicit images or materials were exchanged or solicited.
Jes has consistently acknowledged fault for initiating private email contact and for not immediately alerting the university, which contributed to his personal resignation from the academy. This matter arose in an academic context, and while Jes is a member of coalesce, no band-related status, access, or influence played any role in what occurred. There was also no quid pro quo conduct in his role as her professor. The documentation shows that the interaction was mutual, that the student’s attraction pre-dated these events, and it ended when Jes withdrew consent to pursue anything inappropriate.
Jes fucked up. He has repeatedly owned his part. But the narrative now being circulated goes far beyond the facts. After reviewing the evidence ourselves, we stand behind Jes and reject these mischaracterizations.”
The woman in question claimed that her and Steineger had various email exchanges which turned sexual in nature, and that Steineger had touched her several times during in-person encounters. Coalesce characterized the relationship as “mutual” in their above statement, however, a follow-up post made by Steineger‘s accuser in response to the band’s statement described the relationship as a case of “grooming”.
It has since been revealed that Coalesce and Steineger have parted ways, with the band canceling their European touring plans as a result. The ‘Roadburn Festival‘ stated of the matter this morning, January 06th:
“Coalesce have cancelled their upcoming European tour and sadly that includes their planned performance at Roadburn 2026.
The band commented:
‘Coalesce has parted ways with their guitarist and, as a result, will be unable to fulfill the upcoming shows.'”
While Coalesce‘s social media profile appears to have been deactivated amid the ongoing controversy, Steineger has issued a personal statement regarding the matter to Lambgoat, which reads as follows:
“I made the choice to step down as guitarist of coalesce.
The public attention surrounding my personal failures has become too heavy a burden for my family and loved ones, and I need to step away from public life to focus on accountability, repair, and healing, which I am now doing professionally.
I accept responsibility for my choices and for how they have impacted others. At the same time, the matters that have been made public deserve to be addressed in a private, professionally mediated setting, with restorative healing and reconciliation as the goal, not public spectacle.
I ask, unequivocally, that no one harass or attack any individual connected to this situation. Please do not contact them to direct anger or cruelty in my name or the name of the band. That behavior is unacceptable and serves no constructive purpose.
I am grateful to my former bandmates for their honesty and care in handling a difficult and painful situation. My choices are mine alone. I wish them well in continuing on without me.”
