Will Butler — founding member of Arcade Fire and brother of frontman Win Butler — has left Arcade Fire.
Butler made the announcement on his social media accounts earlier today (March 19), writing that he'd "left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete." Last week, Arcade Fire announced their upcoming sixth album WE and shared new single "The Lightning I, II."
Read Butler's full statement below.
Hi friends— I've left Arcade Fire.
I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason beyond that I've changed—and the band has changed—over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.
I'm working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I'm working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating.
I was at Paul Farmer's memorial service last weekend. The words from the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain at the front of my mind.
I'll still be working with @plus1org and @pih —and the many activists and good humans and elected officials I've met—to give people material help; to build better systems of health, justice, and government; to try to live up in some way to Paul's example.
Thank you to anyone who's come out to AF shows, or bought a record, or loves our music. It's meaningful to be part of your lives. Thank you to the crew, staff, management, label people, bands, artists, and friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years
The band are still my friends and family.
I'll be around! See you around! — Will
Butler joined Arcade Fire in 2003. He first played on 2004's Funeral, and has contributed to every album since then, including the forthcoming WE. However, Butler doesn't feature in the music video for single "The Lightning I, II," nor does longtime multi-instrumentalist, Richard Reed Parry.
You can see Butler's tweet thread, including an excerpt from Peruvian philosopher Gustavo Gutiérrez and a picture of the band, below.
Butler made the announcement on his social media accounts earlier today (March 19), writing that he'd "left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete." Last week, Arcade Fire announced their upcoming sixth album WE and shared new single "The Lightning I, II."
Read Butler's full statement below.
Hi friends— I've left Arcade Fire.
I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason beyond that I've changed—and the band has changed—over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.
I'm working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I'm working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating.
I was at Paul Farmer's memorial service last weekend. The words from the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain at the front of my mind.
I'll still be working with @plus1org and @pih —and the many activists and good humans and elected officials I've met—to give people material help; to build better systems of health, justice, and government; to try to live up in some way to Paul's example.
Thank you to anyone who's come out to AF shows, or bought a record, or loves our music. It's meaningful to be part of your lives. Thank you to the crew, staff, management, label people, bands, artists, and friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years
The band are still my friends and family.
I'll be around! See you around! — Will
Butler joined Arcade Fire in 2003. He first played on 2004's Funeral, and has contributed to every album since then, including the forthcoming WE. However, Butler doesn't feature in the music video for single "The Lightning I, II," nor does longtime multi-instrumentalist, Richard Reed Parry.
You can see Butler's tweet thread, including an excerpt from Peruvian philosopher Gustavo Gutiérrez and a picture of the band, below.
Hi friends—
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I've left Arcade Fire
