After 17 years in Death Cab For Cutie, Chris Walla has announced that he will be leaving the band following their run of festival dates. The last official show for the guitarist will be the band’s headlining gig at Rifflandia in Victoria, British Columbia.
In a blog post on SLOG Music, Walla write, “I will miss being a quarter of this band and will support whatever course Death Cab for Cutie chooses from here.”
“I am profoundly grateful for Ben, Nick and Jason for the experiences that define my adult life. Truly grateful beyond words. Thank you.”
In the rest of his release, he states the typical reason for leaving a band; the urge to explore “the unknown.”
“Deciding to leave the band was not and is not, easy,” he said. “It’s really, really sad. I love my bandmates and I’m proud of what we’ve done and mercifully, those things don’t change with my departure. Moving forward, my plans are simply to continue making music, producing records, and erring on the side of benevolence and beauty whenever possible. Darkness may find me, but I shall never choose it.”
Walla had a big role in the band including producing the band’s past seven albums as well as playing a slew of instruments including the guitar and keyboards on many of their tracks.
The departure of Walla comes on the heels of the band finishing up their yet-to-be-titled eight studio album . The new record is expected to be released in early 2015 with tons of touring to help promote the record. No word on whether the band will be bringing someone in to replace Walla for the “extensive tour” they have planned for next year.
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