“Josh has come upon many discoveries of who he is as a person,” the band explain
January 10, 2017
It’s taken fans by surprise today to hear that Motionless In White are parting ways with their devoted member Josh Balz (keyboards, backing vocals). Neither the band’s official statement nor Balz’s own statement give a clear explanation why the keyboardist chose to leave MIW but it’s safe to say the news didn’t break out of the blue. From Balz’s letter to fans we find out that over the past year he wasn’t feeling happy being part of the band anymore:
[quote align=”center” color=”#COLOR_CODE”]”I’ve always been the one to go out and talk to and hangout with fans, as all of you know… but this past year I was honestly just hanging on because I felt I would let everyone down if I left. Im finally ready to refocus my time to worry about myself, and what I really want, and what makes me happy.”[/quote]
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The band point out that Balz spent a lot of time “searching within himself”, trying to understand “who he is as a person”:
“After many discussions and time spent searching within himself over the past year, Josh has come upon many discoveries of who he is as a person, and what is truly important to him regarding his future.”
It’s always hard to let go of the band member who’s been part of the band for a decade. Balz joined the band at its very launch, when he was just 18 years old. His path with MIW began with recording their debut EP all the way till their third studio effort.
Motionless In White are not going to pause, though. They are ensuring their fans that their new album, Graveyard Shift, is due early this year via Roadrunner Records. The design of the artwork was “delegated” to the band’s fans this time: the group asked their fans to submit designs, pictures, drawings of the album artwork as they envision. The works could be submitted until last month.
Balz’s departure from the band won’t hamper the rockers’ planned touring schedule. “Regarding our touring schedule, we will be performing on the rapidly approaching “The End Is Here Tour” exactly as planned, now with a keyboardist to fill in,” the band confirm. Chris Motionless and co are preparing to hit the road with Falling In Reverse and Issues starting Jan 13. Check out their North American tour dates below.
See the band’s statement along with Balz’s statement in full below. Be the first to leave your comments and stay tuned with AlteRock Facebook and Twitter to never miss on the news about your favorite alternative music!
More: Find Out Who MOTIONLESS In WHITE’s Singer Follows on Twitter
Band’s Statement:
MIW fans, As of today, we regret to announce that after 10 years of time spent with the band, through the highest of highs and lowest of lows, Josh Balz will be departing from Motionless In White.
After many discussions and time spent searching within himself over the past year, Josh has come upon many discoveries of who he now is as a person, and what is truly important to him regarding his future. We respect and whole heartedly understand his decision, and while we are sad to see him go, wish him nothing but great things in the future with his family and pursuing his new dreams and business endeavors. For more information from Josh directly, please visit his twitter @Joshbalz.
Regarding our touring schedule, we will be performing on the rapidly approaching “The End Is Here Tour” exactly as planned, now with a keyboardist to fill in. We will also be playing every show around the globe that we have announced thus far and continuing to tour strongly onward after what has previously been announced.
Regarding our new upcoming record, “Graveyard Shift”, everything is also still exactly as planned, and will be releasing this year on Roadrunner Records.
Thank you, Josh, for your years of dedication in helping MIW become something we only dreamt of being when the band started. It has truly been a pleasure to have shared the road with you and to have so many amazing stories and memories to look back on through it all. You will be missed.
– MIW
Balz’s Statement:
[quote align=”center” color=”#COLOR_CODE”]Never did I think this day was going to come. It was 10 YEARS ago, a full decade, that I joined a group of friends who started a music project called Motionless in White. I was 16 years old and had the whole world ahead of me, and together with the guys we managed to explore a ton of it. It’s crazy how fast time goes, and how much I’ve learned and grown over the past 10 years. I will never regret anything that has happened, and will forever cherish so much of this journey, especially all of the people and the dedicated fans I got to connect with along the way, but with that being said it is time for me to depart from Motionless In White. This year a lot has changed in my life from The Strange and Unusual growing immensely, to MIW signing to a major label, and a million other things that altered my life for both good and bad. Ive learned so much, and now understand on a new level what it is like to really experience life struggles, what is really important to me, and in this discovery and self reflection I’ve found myself. I’ve always been the one to go out and talk to and hangout with fans, as all of you know… but this past year I was honestly just hanging on because I felt I would let everyone down if I left. Im finally ready to refocus my time to worry about myself, and what I really want, and what makes me happy. And in that, I understand that it is time to stop being a part of MIW. It’s funny how after all of these years, I feel MOST connected to our fans, and truly understand their struggles and connect with them more than ever. And with this realization, comes my exit. The bottom line is, you have to do what makes YOU happy. We all have one life to live, and we can’t live it for anyone else. I know this news may disappoint some fans, but this isn’t a bad thing. I’ve grown up with all of you, and this is just the next chapter for me![/quote]
I’m sure this will not be the the last you see of me in the music Industry, and you guys know where you can always find me! Keep staying strong and fearlessly following your dreams, wherever they may lead you. Thank you for the most amazing 10 years. Here’s to the next chapter!
The End Is Here Tour Dates:
Jan 13 Tempe, Az – The Marquee
Jan 14 Los Angeles, Ca – The Wiltern
Jan 15 Las Vegas, Nv – House Of Blues
Jan 17 San Antonio, Tx – Alamo City Music Hall
Jan 18 Houston, Tx – Warehouse Live
Jan 19 Dallas, Tx – Gas Monkey Live!
Jan 21 Oklahoma City, Ok – Diamond Ballroom
Jan 22 Nashville, Tn – War Memorial Auditorium
Jan 24 Atlanta, Ga – Tabernacle
Jan 26 Richmond, Va – The National
Jan 27 New York, Ny – Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan 28 Philadelphia, Pa – The Fillmore
Jan 29 Silver Spring, Md – The Fillmore
Jan 31 Boston, Ma – House Of Blues
Feb 01 Pittsburgh, Pa – Stage Ae
Feb 02 Chicago, Il – Riviera Theatre
Feb 03 St. Louis, Mo – The Pageant
Feb 05 Denver, Co – The Fillmore
Feb 06 Salt Lake City, Ut – The Complex
Feb 08 Seattle, Wa – Showbox Sodo
Feb 09 Portland, Or – Roseland Theater
Feb 11 San Francisco, Ca – The Warfield
Feb 12 San Diego, Ca – House Of Blues
