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Jul 12, 2024 By Marina Malin Photography by Noah Lenker

Since 2015, Big Thief have released five studio albums with band members Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek, James Krivchenia, and Max Olearchik. Yesterday, the band announced bassist Olearchik will be leaving the band due to “interpersonal reasons,” marking “the end of an era” for Big Thief as we know them.

Beyond their music, Big Thief is a band of deep friendship, kinship, and love intertwined between the four of them. Though the band started with Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek as lovers, the married couple added Max Oleartchik to their band who was a friend of Meek’s from Berklee. Later, James Krivchenia would join as a drummer after his initial recruitment to be their sound engineer. The band’s chemistry is demonstrated during their on stage performances and seemingly telepathic musical understanding of one another.

Big Thief recently released the highly anticipated “Born For Loving You” and “Vampire Empire.” The two tracks were prematurely shared on social media, through videos of live performances. “Vampire Empire” gained substantial attention.

On social media, the band announced: “A message from Adrianne, Buck, James, and Max -

After many beautiful years together, Max is no longer in Big Thief. Our love for each other is infinite, and we are so grateful for all we have shared these many years together since the beginning of our journey as a band. We wouldn’t be who we are without Max. This separation marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one for Big Thief.

This change was made for interpersonal reasons with mutual respect in our hearts. It’s a big change for us and the four of us ask for your trust, respect, and care as we grow into the next chapter of our lives.

xo Big Thief”

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