Photo by Philip Cosores
As reported by CoS, Titus Andronicus’ show-stealing guitarist/violinist Amy Klein has left the group, choosing to focus on her own musical projects. Klein posted a rather lengthy explanation for her departure on her Tumblr, which we have posted below. Important to note is that the split seems to be on good terms, as Klein notes “there was no big fight or anything… no dramatic story —nothing like that. It is just time for me to move on.” No word on who will be replacing Klein or what Titus Andronicus have planned for the immediate future.
I just got back from my last tour with the band Titus Andronicus. Yes, it’s true. As of today, I am no longer a member of the band.
No, there was no big fight or anything—no wild partying, drug, or alcohol addiction leading to me getting fired—no dramatic story—nothing like that. It is just time for me to move on.
I want to say an enormous thank you to every one of you for supporting me over the past two years, for cheering wildly at shows, for freaking the fuck out in insane circle pits, for singing along with every word, and for devoting yourself to this music and to this band with a passion that is downright inspiring. For me, the years I have spent in this band have been a time of transformation and self-discovery, and I know it is the power of music and the people who believe in it that have made me the person I am today.
I can’t even explain what it is like to go from believing you are a total loser to believing that you are an individual with a voice. I think sooner or later everyone learns how to believe in herself, but the thing is, not everyone is lucky enough to get to do this in front of an audience filled with people like you.
To all the kids who came to a Titus Andronicus show over the past two years, I would like to say, “You are what punk is for. Punk is in you. Now go and do whatever you want with it.” To every friend I met on the road, I would like to say, “Without you, I couldn’t have done any of this.” To the kind folks at XL, Beggars Group, Merok, Marcata Recording, 13 Artists, and Ground Control Touring—especially Sonya, Chris, Kris, Todd, Kevin, Nicole, and Chavez, I would like to say, “I appreciate all the work you’ve put into this band.”
And most of all, to the guys in Titus Andronicus—Patrick, Dave, Eric, Julian, and, yes, Ian, who put up with me for the past two years, and who are truly some of the most dedicated and hardest working musicians out there, I would like to say, “I wish you the best of success. You are the great American rock and roll band of our time.”
And to any girl out there who still believes that she will always be a loser, let me answer you with a quote from “No Future Part III:” “That’s okay.” I was one too. Trust me. You’re gonna be someone someday. It’s a crazy world we live in, one where even your biggest, loudest, wildest, rock’n’roll dreams can come true.
Titus Andronicus Forever,
Amy (no longer Andronicus)
P.S. I am not quitting music, just gonna be focusing on my own bands from now on.
