Baltimore synth pop group Lower Dens have called it quits. Frontperson J Hunter announced the news yesterday (December 7) in a post on his website titled “Goodbye/Hello.” “It’s time for me and Nate to say goodbye to Lower Dens,” Hunter wrote, referring to bandmate and drummer Nate Nelson‎. “We’re proud of what we’ve done, and very lucky to have had so many people supporting us. Spiritually and physically, we, like, can not participate in the music industry any longer. We’re also old, enjoy being with our families, and have other goals in mind.” Find Hunter’s full statement here.

Lower Dens formed in Baltimore in 2010. That year, they issued their debut LP Twin Hand Movement. They’ve since released three more studio albums: 2012’s Nootropics, 2015’s Escape From Evil, and, finally, 2019’s The Competition.

Elsewhere in his post, Hunter wrote that his “plans for the immediate future involve writing about change, and working to facilitate change” that hopefully aids “the equitable transformation of society.” He also mentioned that, earlier this year, he learned that he is autistic and has ADHD. “I have a name for it now, but it’s always been a part of my identity,” Hunter wrote. He continued:

When I talked about nerdy conceptual shit in interviews, etc., I inevitably got flack about being pretentious, which I just swallowed. I am a huge nerd with very strong opinions, because I am Autistic. Learning about it has freed me from lifelong self-hatred, and let me be myself. I’m letting myself make decisions about my life without measuring their viability in a society that does not try to make sense or benefit its members. What I want is to write, connect with other Autistics, and help create/improve/sustain real systems to facilitate change. With this, I’m deciding that I can and will.

Hunter added that he will “post band and personal photos, stock a store with rare LD/JH goods among other things, and release recordings and new music if I make it,” as well as launch “very cheap paid subscriptions” in an attempt to generate income. “I don’t currently have an income,” he wrote in the post. “I have cervical spinal stenosis with neurological issues and am disabled by it, though I’m in treatment that will possibly restore most functionality eventually knock wood. Regardless, I can’t currently work a regular job, I can’t get on disability because I’m married, and I’ve got some debts.”

Hunter ended his remarks by thanking his fans for all of the support throughout the years. “Thank you for caring about our band,” he wrote. “Thank you to everyone who brought us or came with on tour. I’ve never felt alive as I did on stage. What an incredible fucking privilege.”