It’s a bittersweet day for In Hearts Wake fans. The Aussie natives have issued their new single, “Farewell,” which acts as a double-entendre parting gift to fans as it marks the official end of an era with longtime bassist/clean vocalist Kyle Erich. This decision comes from Erich himself, who has made the difficult decision to step away from the band after becoming a father in 2022. Luckily, Erich will perform one final run on the road with In Hearts Wake this September before making his official exit.
The blistering track opens with a short disclaimer, marking Kyle’s departure and goodbye, before propelling into the emotionally charged lyricism primarily delivered by Erich. Across the track, he pours his heart out, “I’ve got to do this for myself/And I know that this will feel like hell/Cuz I don’t want to let you down/but if I stay, I’ll drown.” He goes on to question, “Will you give me the chance to say goodbye?”
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Amidst the tender moments of the track, Erich’s bandmates stand by him, offering unwavering support. Yet, as the song and the accompanying video conclude, they hit Erich with their van and say, “It’s dead now,” symbolizing the end of an era. However, in a poignant twist, they segue seamlessly into what we can only assume is their next release, “Hollow Bone,” signaling a new chapter in their journey.
The group shared a collective statement, which reads, “In Hearts Wake has some news. Our bass player and clean vocalist, Kyle Erich, is leaving the band to focus on his family and other parts of his life. He will be touring with us one last time in September, and today we have released a new track and video called ‘Farewell’ as part of his send-off. We adore Kyle and appreciate every contribution he’s made to our band and our lives.12 years of laughs, gigs, and singalongs. He’s an amazing person, and we will miss having him around as In Hearts Wake continues to forge ahead.”
They continue, “While we were saddened and heartbroken by the news at first, we all knew that what was right for Kyle was right for us. We all support his decision and can’t wait to celebrate him and bring closure to his journey with the band. We will have more In Hearts Wake news in a couple of weeks, but for now, let’s celebrate our man Kyle Erich and all the amazing moments we’ve had together.”
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Erich also shares in a solo statement, “It’s hard to put into words how impactful and fulfilling my journey with In Hearts Wake has been. I honestly feel so lucky to have been a part of In Hearts Wake and everything it has become over the years. The places we’ve been, the bands/people who have supported us, and all the incredible moments that I’ll never forget. To be honest, I never really thought that music could bring so much joy to my life, and I owe so much to my brothers in the band for seeing something in me that I didn’t even know I had.
“The life of a touring musician is incredible, and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about my last twelve years with In Hearts Wake. That being said, this life does require a lot of sacrifice and now, as a father, those choices are more complicated and much harder to make. Being in the industry for as long as I have, I know you need to give 100% to make it work, and I’m at a point now where that’s not something I’m able to give. In my eyes, that would be a disservice to the band and to all our fans who have supported us over the years.”
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He continues, “‘Farewell’ will be my last song with the band and it was a very difficult song to write. Despite this being the right decision for me it’s been so hard to let go of something that’s been such a massive part of my life. The Australian tour this September will be my last tour as part of the band and although bitter sweet, its going to be a farewell tour to remember.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank anyone who has come to a show, said hello to me in the street, or played with us on stage. You have truly changed my life forever. Jake, Ben, Eaven, and Conor: I love you guys, and I can’t wait to see where In Hearts Wake goes from here. See you down the road!”
