Boy & Bear bassist Jake Tarasenko has left the band to “pursue other interests”, the group announced today.

The band are working towards their second album after the breakout success of their debut album Moonfire. After emerging from the Sydney indie scene, the band –which is driven by songwriter Dave Hosking – introduced themselves to the mainstream in a big way by winning five ARAI Awards, including Best Group and Album Of The Year, last year.

A statement from the band read, “We will miss Jake and wish him all the best for the future. We are currently writing our next album and can't wait to get back out there in 2013 to play you all some new tunes.”

Then there was four... Tarasenko far left