Founding Alt-J Member Quits Band

British band Alt-J have today tweeted a message that founding member Gwil Sainsbury is leaving the group.

The statement was prefaced with the point that it was being made "with regret" and that Sainsbury was leaving for "a personal reason" and it went on to offer their support to him.

With regret, Gwil is leaving alt-J. This is purely a personal decision and as our best friend we support him completely.

— Δ (alt-J) (@alt_J) January 11, 2014

Since forming at university in Leeds in 2007, Swainsbury, along with Joe  Newman, Gus Unger-Hamilton and Thom Green have become one of Britain's biggest indie rock exports in recent years.

Alt-J's 2012 debut album An Awesome Wave was a top ten album in Australia - certified gold sales status - and charted across Europe. The band have also had three singles crack the US alternative charts.

Last year An Awesome Wave was awarded the British music industry's highest accolade, the Merury Prize.