Los Campesinos emailed me this morning (ok, their record label sent out a mass email, but I know they'll be sending a personal note my way soon) to let me know that they had some GOOD news and some SAD news on the Campesinos! front.

The GOOD news:
They have a new album coming out later this year (more info coming soon on that) and they'll be touring the US in August!

The SAD news:
Right now they've only committed to the below tour dates… which suspiciously doesn't include a stop in Seattle (I'm *sure* they're just waiting to announce that when they release more details about the album). At least our friends in Texas and California are taken care of, right?

The SADDER news:
Sweet singer, keyboardist, etc. Aleks Campesinos! is leaving the band. It's all good (she's continuing her academic stuff) and their all friends and there was no late night argument at Denny's about Moons Over My Hammy that sparked the departure (at least TMZ hasn't posted as such yet).

Here's what they said / she said:

Taken from the blog on www.loscampesinos.com the band said, "This is a difficult announcement to have to write, and one we'd have hoped we'd never need to, but it is with a heavy heart we in Los Campesinos! need to announce the forthcoming departure of Aleks Campesinos! from our number.

After three years of LC!, in an incredible journey that has gone from inaudible student union side room gigs to playing infront of thousands in Caracas city centre; Aleks is now, as she always intended, departing the band in order to return to her studies.

In many ways, it would be great if there had been some falling out in the band and that Aleks couldn't bear to tour with us anymore, but that couldn't be further from the truth. We're all better, closeR friends now than we've ever been, and this makes the decision tougher on both Aleks, and the other six of us. We've always been very pragmatic when thinking about the future for Los Campesinos!, and it is at this point that Aleks has decided her future does not reside in flogging this LC! nonsense any longer. Though she will remain a Campesinos! for eternity. There's no escaping that.

It shouldn't need saying, and perhaps it almost seems insensitive, but it's inevitable news of this nature will cause tongues to wag, so it's best to confirm that Los Campesinos! will continue as a band, stronger and more united than ever. Though this news is being announced only now, it's something we as a band have been aware of, and preparing for, for the past year. The individual joining the band to take on Aleks' duties, and more, has been a friend of the band for a long time and though we are understandably maudlin, nay, heartbroken, this is coupled with a great excitement for what we intend to go on and achieve in the near and distant future.

In the meantime, we are finishing up Aleks' final record with the band, and can announce her final LC! shows – a US Tour, taking place in August. Taking in our biggest indoor shows to date, as well as a happy return to the site of our first US show (Lollapalooza), we navigate parts of America previously unchartered by us, before Aleks' very last shows come with a weekend in the California sun. The girl will go out in fuckin style; we will make completely sure of that"

Writing on the band blog as well Aleks said, "I'm not sure I can really find the right words to express how I feel about leaving the band. The past 3 years have given me some of the best times of my life full of incredible experiences and wonderful people. I am really grateful to have been a part of the Los Campesinos! story. I'm going to miss so much about the whole thing."

Tickets for the newly announced US dates will go on sale on June 5th. Support on all shows will come from Girls, except where indicated.

Confirmed tour dates:

8/4/09 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
8/5/09 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
8/6/09 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
8/7/09 – Indianapolis, IN @ Spin Nightclub *
8/8/09 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
8/11/09 – St. Louis, MO @ Firebird
8/12/09 – Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
8/14/09 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
8/15/09 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theatre
8/16/09 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse
8/19/09 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
8/20/09 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
8/21/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
8/22/09 – Pomona, CA @ Glass House
8/23/09 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar
8/25/09 – Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar *
8/28/09 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
8/29/09 – San Diego, CA @ Street Scene

Amazing photo of Aleks Campesinos! by Laura Musselman.