Multi-instrumentalist Will Butler has officially announced that he has left Arcade Fire. Butler, who joined the group in 2003, is the younger brother of the group’s founder and frontman, Win Butler. He was absent from the band’s underplay benefit shows in New Orleans and New York earlier this week; Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner has been filling in for him as the ensemble has started to promote their forthcoming LP, We.

In a message posted on Twitter, Will Butler explains:

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. I’m working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I’m working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating I was at Paul Farmer’s memorial service last weekend. The words from the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain at the front of my mind. I’ll still be working with @plus1org and @pih—and the many activists and good humans and elected officials I’ve met—to give people material help; to build better systems of health, justice, and government; to try to live up in some way to Paul’s example.

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; The band are still my friends and family I’ll be around! See you around! —Will

Arcade Fire will return to New York’s Bowery Ballroom this evening for another Ukraine benefit performance. Last night, Stuart Bogie, who has augmented the group during some past tours, played saxophone during their set.