Juniper
Gold Member
.....To quote John Lennon in the title.
So last weekend I had to give my band my notice that I'm leaving and they had to start looking for a replacement after nearly five years together. Life's changed in the last few months and there are priorities to be taken into consideration and I no longer can afford the time away from home in/around London for musical adventures (for example for rehearsals it's sometimes over 2 hour trip for me - each way)
It was a tough decision but under good circumstances and one ultimately for the best that suits all parties and one that made 100% sense. It's a shame as we have been demoing for the last few months ready to start working towards an album or EP's. We have two more singles to release from recent studio sessions also so there was a lot on the horizon and momentum starting to build with videos nearing completion/discussions over artwork also....etc
Despite the timing and me leaving them somewhat in the lurch we part ways on very good terms, still very good friends and I know I'll occasionally attend their shows in the future to simply watch and have a catch up in person. The chat went very well and they were very supportive and understanding, which was great. I purposely had 'the chat' early on into a two day writing/demo weekend with the aim of getting that out the way and crack on with getting as many ideas down as possible for the next drummer to have demos to do their own thing with - which feels very weird typing.
One of things we recorded was a really good and catchy brand new song from scratch, which I'm gutted I won't get to record now!!!
We never set out to be mainstream or popular, we just made the music we enjoyed creating together and had some fun along the way so there's a feeling of satisfaction somewhat and I'm keen on seeing what a new drummer brings to the table for them, creative wise.
I've been playing with the guitarist in bands the last 14 years so it'll be weird not seeing him on stage in front of me anymore. I've also been playing with bands in London the last 15 years also, and a few years up in Manchester before that so it will be just as weird no longer playing in all the venues I've loved playing at these last two decades.
Going to miss that aspect a lot also as it's a big part of my life the last 20 years!. Have a lifetime worth of tales from it and I'll miss it, the places it took me and the people I met along the way. Feel a like a retirement of sorts!!
Talking to the band last night they thought it would be nice to have a final/farewell show together for me so just that to go once arranged and it's all done. Very bittersweet feeling but I'm very much looking forward to the future also.
So my questions to you all, has any of you left a band you really enjoyed? If you quit a band or music in general and just played for yourself how did you cope with the transition?
Has anyone left a band on very good terms? If so feel free to share your positive tales if you wish.
So last weekend I had to give my band my notice that I'm leaving and they had to start looking for a replacement after nearly five years together. Life's changed in the last few months and there are priorities to be taken into consideration and I no longer can afford the time away from home in/around London for musical adventures (for example for rehearsals it's sometimes over 2 hour trip for me - each way)
It was a tough decision but under good circumstances and one ultimately for the best that suits all parties and one that made 100% sense. It's a shame as we have been demoing for the last few months ready to start working towards an album or EP's. We have two more singles to release from recent studio sessions also so there was a lot on the horizon and momentum starting to build with videos nearing completion/discussions over artwork also....etc
Despite the timing and me leaving them somewhat in the lurch we part ways on very good terms, still very good friends and I know I'll occasionally attend their shows in the future to simply watch and have a catch up in person. The chat went very well and they were very supportive and understanding, which was great. I purposely had 'the chat' early on into a two day writing/demo weekend with the aim of getting that out the way and crack on with getting as many ideas down as possible for the next drummer to have demos to do their own thing with - which feels very weird typing.
One of things we recorded was a really good and catchy brand new song from scratch, which I'm gutted I won't get to record now!!!
We never set out to be mainstream or popular, we just made the music we enjoyed creating together and had some fun along the way so there's a feeling of satisfaction somewhat and I'm keen on seeing what a new drummer brings to the table for them, creative wise.
I've been playing with the guitarist in bands the last 14 years so it'll be weird not seeing him on stage in front of me anymore. I've also been playing with bands in London the last 15 years also, and a few years up in Manchester before that so it will be just as weird no longer playing in all the venues I've loved playing at these last two decades.
Going to miss that aspect a lot also as it's a big part of my life the last 20 years!. Have a lifetime worth of tales from it and I'll miss it, the places it took me and the people I met along the way. Feel a like a retirement of sorts!!
Talking to the band last night they thought it would be nice to have a final/farewell show together for me so just that to go once arranged and it's all done. Very bittersweet feeling but I'm very much looking forward to the future also.
So my questions to you all, has any of you left a band you really enjoyed? If you quit a band or music in general and just played for yourself how did you cope with the transition?
Has anyone left a band on very good terms? If so feel free to share your positive tales if you wish.
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