Big Thief part ways with bassist Max Oleartchik due to “interpersonal reasons”
In a statement posted on their socials, Big Thief have announced the departure of longtime bassist Max Oleartchik.
"After many beautiful years together, Max is no longer in Big Thief. Our love for each other is infinite, and we are so grateful for all we have shared these many years together since the beginning of our journey as a band," Big Thief's statement read. "We wouldn’t be who we are without Max. This separation marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one for Big Thief."
The band explain his reason for leaving as part of "interpersonal reasons with mutual respect in our hearts". Reactions from fans online have been in favour of the move, citing Oleartchik as a zionist. "see Big Thief finally got rid of their zionist member. Congrats. I can feel marginally less guilt while listening to them now," wrote one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, with another user writing: "if big thief got rid of their bassist because he's a zionist i will begrudgingly have to respect them again".
Oleartchik played on all five of the band’s studio albums: Masterpiece (2016), Capacity (2017), U.F.O.F. (2019), Two Hands (2019), and Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You (2022).
Big Thief are set to headline End of the Road festival later this year.
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