Big news was posted on the Los Campesinos! blog this morning:

This is a difficult announcement to have to write, and one we’d have hoped we’d never need to, but it is with a heavy heart we in Los Campesinos! need to announce the forthcoming departure of Aleks Campesinos! from our number.

After three years of LC!, in an incredible journey that has gone from inaudible student union side room gigs to playing infront of thousands in Caracas city centre; Aleks is now, as she always intended, departing the band in order to return to her studies. (read more)

This news of Aleks’ (pictured right) departure comes just on the tail end of their recording of the follow up full length to Hold On Now, Youngster (yes, they don’t consider We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed an album just an ep).

LC! have also announced that before Aleks leaves they will be touring again, which includes their largest indoor shows to date:

August 2009
04 New York, NY          Webster Hall
05 Washington, DC      9:30 Club
06 Cleveland, OH         Grog Shop
07 Indianapolis, IN      Spin Nightclub
08 Chicago, IL               Lollapalooza
11 St. Louis, MO            Firebird
12 Kansas City, MO      Record Bar
14 Austin, TX                Emos Outside
15 Dallas, TX                 Granada Theatre
16 Houston, TX            Warehouse (Studio)
19 Albuquerque, NM    Launchpad
20 Tucson, AZ              Club Congress
21 Los Angeles, CA      El Rey Theatre
22 Pomona, CA            Glass House
23 Costa Mesa, CA      Detroit Bar
25 Las Vegas, Nevada  Beauty Bar
28 San Francisco, CA  Outside Lands Festival
29 San Diego, CA         Street Scene

This tour comes as both exciting and depressing news to me.  Yes, it’s sad that Aleks is leaving the band, but it is even more sad for New York City LC! fans that we have to see them play in Webster Hall.  I hate that place…at least LC! can make any venue positive.

Aleks left a personal note on the LC! blog this morning, and I don’t really feel that it is appropriate to quote it, but if you would like to read it…you can find it here.

End Note: I had a lot of problems getting this post up…sorry for multiple track backs, wrong twitter links, and any other problems that might have occurred.  I think I have everything straight now.  Again sorry for any confusion.