Death Cab for Cutie guitarist and founding member Chris Walla has announced his departure from his band of seventeen years. Walla will play his last show with the alternative rock group next month in Victoria, British Columbia.

The announcement was made by the band's frontman Ben Gibbard, bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Jason McGerr on the band's website.

"We've had an incredible 17 years of making music with Chris and are very proud of what we've accomplished together, including our 8^th studio album which we have just put finishing touches on," the statement said. "We will miss Chris and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career. We're excited about sharing new music, and seeing all of you very soon."

On a statement made via Seattle music blog The Stranger, Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla explained why he decided to leave the band.

"Deciding to leave the band was not, and is not, easy," Walla said.

"I will miss being a quarter of this band, and will support whatever course Death Cab for Cutie chooses from here. I am profoundly grateful to Ben, Nick, and Jason, for the experiences that define my adult life. Truly grateful, beyond words," he added.

The Death Cab for Cutie guitarist Chris Walla ended his statement with: "I love my bandmates, and I'm proud of what we've done, and mercifully, those things don't change with my departure. Moving forward, my plans are simply to continue making music, producing records, and erring on the side of benevolence and beauty whenever possible. Darkness may find me, but I shall never choose it."

Death Cab for Cutie is a seven-time Grammy Award-nominated alternative rockband. They are currently working on finishing the final stages of their much anticipated eighth studio album slated to be released in 2015. Their most recent album "Codes and Keys" was released in 2011.