It is with the almost every possible emotion concurrently that we announce the end of Arks.

We are of course saddened to depart from beneath a banner that's served us dutifully for these past five years, but we are simultaneously adrenalized by upcoming collaborations with each other and with the inimitable talents with whom we've been fortunate enough to acquaint ourselves over the band's lifespan. We realize, ultimately, that this is not a death: this is simply a necessary mutation. This is a branching out in the evolutionary tree.

And as this evolution is mutually recognized and accepted within the band, the group's soft disintegration is executed with no ill-will. We dissolve Arks as we ran it: as the best of friends. We wish only success toward one another in future projects. We will be the first ones in line at one another's shows. Just try and stop us.

If this is an evolution, what are the future species? Initial observations indicate the formation of two distinct lines:

While Glenn leaves Arks to work on a variety of musical pursuits, he and Paul will continue work together on a preexisting but evolving project, Music Hall, with the help of longtime friend and sound sculptor to the stars, PK Hooker.

Mat and Lanny will also continue working together, enlisting a member of another Chicago band who recently made their own swan song. Who that is will be said when the time comes to announce the new project. In the meantime, they will search for the final leg or arm to complete what they will next become.

All involved in Arks will be maintaining existing sites a while longer, and as such are still reachable in the usual places. When everyone is grounded or aloft in their respective upcoming projects, you will of course be among those to feel the touch of our communicative tentacles.

And let us wrap those arms around your ears one last time this Thursday, December 6th at Darkroom (2210 W. Chicago Ave.). We will do our best to leave an indelible mark in the stage with our spasms and amperage. Our stalwart friends Walking Bicycles and Bang! Bang! will aid in the effort, presented by KEXP.org. Doors at 8. And to show you we mean every nice word we've ever said, the first hundred people receive three free albums in a classy Highwheel bag. Christmas early in triplicate.

We end this final broadcast with a thank you. To all of you that made every minute worthwhile. To all our friends who came to innumerable shows, shouted, clapped, and cavorted. To complete strangers who showed us that love of music is not and never will be dead, who bought us a drink, who shook our hands, who yelled a little louder than expected after a song they'd never heard. To Julius and Jocelyn of Highwheel Records whose love for music, and our little pocket of it, knew no bounds and can never be over-appreciated. To all of you: we love and thank you. We can only hope to repay you on the stages of the future.

With this, we mutate,
Yours,
Arks