Death Cab For Cutie confirmed today on their website that guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Chris Walla will leave the band following their show on September 13 at the Rifflandia Festival in Victoria, BC.

In a statement posted on the band’s website, they said, “We’ve had an incredible 17 years of making music with Chris. We are very proud of what we’ve accomplished together, including our 8th studio album which we have just put the finishing touches on.
We will miss Chris and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career. We are excited about sharing new music, and seeing all of you very soon.”

Walla, who joined DCFC as the lead guitarist prior to the release of their Something About Airplanes LP in 1998, said that he “will miss being a quarter of this band an dwill support whatever course Death Cab For Cutie chooses from here. I am profoundly grateful to Ben, Nick and Jason for the experiences that define my adult life.” Walla published a full statement, which can be read here.

On the new album front, DCFC announced their yet-to-be-titled album was recorded with producer Rich Costey and is slated for an early 2015 release.