It was sentimental farewell for Death Cab for Cutie founding member, producer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Walla, who performed his last set with the seminal indie-rock band Saturday at the Rifflandia Festival in Victoria, British Columbia.
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“Thank you so much for the last 17 years, Chris,” said band leader Ben Gibbard, introducing their set’s closing song, “Marching Bands of Manhattan” from 2005’s Plans.
Following, Walla let out a brief, “Thanks,” to the audience, clearly moved. Then the quartet gathered in a poignant embrace.
Last month Walla announced his departure with a statement saying, “I think I long for the unknown” and that he is “profoundly grateful” to fellow DCFC members Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr.
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“Deciding to leave the band was not, and is not, easy,” wrote Walla. “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.”
Though Wall will not tour with the band, his playing will be included on its long-awaited follow-up to 2011’s Codes & Keys next year. The album will be the band’s first with an outside producer, as Rich Costey (Interpol, Muse) filled in for the departing Walla.