From the band:
Changes do happen! We here at Decemberists HQ are very sad to announce that Ms. Rachel Blumberg, Decemberist drummer since 2002, has decided to leave the group. While this is sad for us ? we will certainly miss her ? it makes us happy to know that she?ll be able to spend more time with her sweetheart, Adam Selzer, and they both will be able to focus more on their collaborative music project, Norfolk and Western. (In fact, Norfolk and Western will be touring the universe this spring in support of fellow Portlander, M. Ward ? which everyone should go see.)
It makes us also very happy to welcome two new members to the family: Mr. John Moen and Ms. Petra Haden. Mr. Moen has been a man about town in Portland for quite a while and has contributed his not-unconsiderable drumming and singing abilities to a panoply of unquestionably seminal NW rock outfits, notably the Minus Five, the Maroons, and Steve Malkmus and the Jicks. Ms. Haden practically needs no introduction; daughter of Charlie, Ms. Haden is an erstwhile member of That Dog and the Rentals and has carried on a very impressive solo career in the meantime. Her talents grace many a track on the upcoming Decemberists record, and we?re really pleased as punch to have her singing and violin playin? follow us on the road.