Longtime Arcade Fire member Will Butler has announced his departure from the band.
“Hi guys – I left Arcade Fire”, Butler – who is the younger brother of frontman Win Butler and has been with Arcade Fire since the band’s debut album, funeral – announced in a tweet Saturday, March 19.
“I left at the end of last year, once the new album was finished,” said the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. “There was no serious reason beyond the fact that I’ve changed – and the band has changed – over the past almost 20 years. It’s time for new things.
Her update continued: “I’m working on a new record; book shows this summer. I’m working on the music for a piece by David Adjmi (which is so good). A few other projects percolate.
“Thank you to everyone who came to the AF concerts, bought a record or liked our music. It means a lot to be a part of your lives. Thank you to the team, the staff, the management, to the people at the label, the bands, the artists and the friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years. The band are still my friends and family,” he said.
Butler also noted a reading of a memorial service for Paul Farmer in his tweet, saying the words “stay at the front of my mind.” He said he plans to continue working with organizations such as PLUS1 and Partners in Health”provide material assistance to people; building better health, justice and government systems; to try to live up to Paul’s example.
Arcade Fire has just announced the release date of the new album on May 6 WE, which includes the new song “The Lightning I, II”. The group has seen three albums (2010 The suburbs2013 Reflector and 2017 Everything now) peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and a fourth (2007 neon bible) reach #2.
See Will Butler’s tweets below.
I left at the end of last year, after the new record was finished. There was no particular reason beyond the fact that I have changed – and the band has changed – over the past almost 20 years. Time for new things.
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I was at the Paul Farmer memorial service last weekend. The words of the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain in mind: pic.twitter.com/32K4Svwbsp
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
Thank you to everyone who came to the AF concerts, bought a record or liked our music. It is meaningful to be a part of your lives. Thank you to the team, staff, management, label people, bands, artists and friends who helped bring our vision to life for so many years
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I will be there ! See you later!
-Will
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
