Kiss Fruit Bats goodbye. Eric D. Johnson is laying his longstanding alt-pop project to rest after performing a few concerts this week in support of his recently reissued 2001 LP Mouthfuls. Fruit Bats has been a mainstay of the Sub Pop roster throughout this century, always slightly under the radar but never failing to inspire affection among the initiated. Read Johnson’s goodbye note, which promises new music under a new name, below.

Hey All. So, after 13 years, 5 albums, bunch of tours, and lots of laughs, Fruit Bats is calling it a day. There is no major or dramatic reason – I’m not gonna launch into one of those “the changing face of the music landscape in the digital age,” things. Especially since I don’t even understand any of that stuff. It’s been a long run and time for a change. I’ve been fortunate enough to start scoring movies and producing bands and I’m super excited to continue on with that. Plus I’ll still write songs and make records and play shows, which will scratch any Fruit Bats itch that you’ve got. I mean, Fruit Bats has always ostensibly been a “solo” project, so this is just the start of chapter two, really… But anyway, new music from me still! More on that soon, so please don’t lose touch. This means that these shows next week will be our last (though I think we might plan some kinda epic last gig in Chicago one of these days, but that is to be determined)… So come on out and blow us a kiss goodbye. I know artists always say this but, seriously, thanks for listening, it has been amazing sharing this stuff with you. More to come (from a different angle) soon.

(via Paste)

The limited edition vinyl reissue of Mouthfuls is out now via Jealous Butcher Records. Fruit Bats’ final tour dates:

11/14 Seattle, WA @ Neptune
11/15 Victoria, BC @ Upstairs Cabaret
11/16 Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre