This is what Mike had to say about his recent departure from OLP. This is taken from cc.com


"Hello all, I guess it's time for me to say my piece now. I have to say that the things I've been reading here have profoundly moved me. I'm glad that over my time with the band I've managed to make a connection with all of you, and I'll miss the opportunities to interact with you in the ways we have in the past. Now is a time to look forward to what the future may hold and one thing it has in abundance is potential. There seems to be a great deal of concern as for the band and myself and I appreciate the concern, but I can assure you that it isn't all that necessary. Everything is fine in the grand scheme of things; things are different for certain, but fine.

I think I need to clear a something up though; my departure was a mutual decision. We have always made music as a product of very different personalities and sometimes that process has been less than smooth! Through it all we knew that the music was the important thing. As time has gone on we've all grown and changed in many ways, this includes changes in our musical identities. Over the course of making this record it became clear that Raine, Duncan and Jeremy had grow together in one direction and my interests had taken me down another path. There really isn't any one event that makes this thing clear just a gradual, but undeniable distance that grew over time. My departure has been characterized as my choice alone when in fact it was a mutual decision. A very difficult one, but one that we believe is the best one for everyone. I know it's natural to look for a 'bad guy' or someone to blame for this event, but there really isn't anyone to blame. I hope that you can understand that this is the result of the same commitment to our ideals that gave us the ability to be that band that you've known up until now. That commitment is still intact. The band will be different without a doubt, but this is a great opportunity for all of us to grow and explore other ideas with the same passion that has always guided us individually and collectively.

The record that's being finished in the New Year is a great record, different (like the others have been) but with the same commitment to strong songs and passion that we've held on to from the start. I enjoyed working with Bob and think he's brought something to the band that'll continue to be an asset in the future.

Speaking of the future, I need to address a couple of things I've read here. First of all I'd like to thank the people that pointed out the fact that I'm not dead... thanks for noticing! As for what I'm doing in the future, I think I'm going to rest a bit then maybe have lunch, beyond that I think I'll just figure it out as it comes to me. I'm sure I'll still be making music although I'm not certain with whom or even what I intend to do with it once it's done. I guess I'll let you know when I've got it figured out. As for the band, you'll see what the future holds as soon as anyone else. For my part I believe there is still a great deal of music in the band and I wish them well in their pursuit of it.

As for the rumor I just read about the expectations for this record, don't believe everything you hear, the band is far from completing what it set out to do. Everyone will have an opinion and just because someone does, even if they formed it from talking to me, it doesn't make it anything other than an opinion. I still believe in the band, it's just that our paths lead in different directions now.

The future looks bright, a little uncertain maybe, but is a life of certainty that interesting?

With great respect and best wishes for the holidays,

Emtee."


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