After twenty years in the band, guitarist Will Butler has left Arcade Fire. He confirmed his departure over the weekend.
Buter revealed that he left Arcade Fire at the back end of last year. However, he did insist that the band remain his “friends and family”.
Arcade Fire were founded by Will’s brother Win in Montreal in the early 2000s. Butler then joined the band in 2004 ahead of their debut album ‘Funeral’.
Last week, the band released their sixth studio album ‘WE’. They also released a video for their first single ‘The Lightning I, II’ which did not include Butler.
The album will arrive on May 6 via Columbo Records. Along with Will’s brother Win and bandmate Régine Chassagne, the album has also been produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich.
Win said that the album was “the longest we’ve ever spent writing, uninterrupted, probably ever”.
“Time for new things”
Confirming his departure via Twitter over the weekend, Will Butler has said that it is “time for new things”.
“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”, he wrote.
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.
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
“It is meaningful to be part of our lives” – Butler
Will Butler also revealed that he has announced plans to work on a new solo album. This is a follow up album to 2020’s ‘Generations’. He also added that this will feature along with other projects.
“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”, Butler further tweeted. “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!”.
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
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
