Update: Ezra Koenig has responded to Batmanglij’s departure via Instagram. Read what he has to say below.
Rostam Batmanglij, one of the founding members of Vampire Weekend, has left the group to pursue solo projects, he announced on Twitter today. Rostam, who released a new solo track called “EOS” two weeks ago, wrote that he and Ezra Koenig would “continue to collaborate on future projects + future VW songs,” but that he realized that his “identity as a songwriter + producer” needed to “stand on it’s own.” Read his full statement below.
hi- I wanted to let ppl kno I’m no longer a member of VW but that Ezra and I will continue to collaborate on future projects + future VW songs my identity as a songwriter + producer, I realized, needs to stand on its own. still connectled to the pply I work with, but throught the songs we make together i can’t even begin to express the joy I get from writing songs, both on my own + with others, I hold it all sacred. there is so much amazing music—all of it dear to me— on its way to you. it’s an exciting time. and I feel lucky to share it with you Rostam
— Rostam Batmanglij (@matsoR) January 26, 2016