Guitarist Aaron Birch Departs Joan & The Giants
“I’ve been thinking about this for a very, very, very long time."
Joan And The Giants (Credit: Peter Dovgan)
To fans ' dismay, Perth four-piece Joan & The Giants have announced that, following the departure of member Aaron Birch, the band will now operate as a three-piece.
The news came on 10th January, with Birch himself sharing a heartfelt note about the situation. According to Birch, the departure from the band had been on the cards for years, following a 6-year run with the band and an even longer playing history with lead singer Grace Newton-Wordsmouth.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a very, very, very long time. I’ve made the very hard, but ultimately the very right decision to permanently step away from Joan & The Giants,” Birch wrote in a statement on social media.
“I’ve felt these feelings for the better part of 2 years, and I was really hoping I could work my way out of it and find the love for music again, but I’ve just run out of the will and energy to continue with this project.
“This is a tough decision for sure, but I know in my heart that for me at this time, it’s the right one. I’m not doing this with a heavy heart, I’m doing this with hope, the hope that my little part in this band has made someone’s life a little easier and a little happier.”
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Along with losing passion for the project, singer and ex-partner Grace Newton-Wordsworth announced in her own open letter that she and Birch were going through a breakup. The pair had been together for a decade.
“Aaron has truly been the heart, sound and rock of this band, and it’s inexplicably painful saying goodbye and moving forward without this incredible person. Unfortunately during the last year, we’ve been navigating a breakup and dealing with things that have become too painful to move forward together.
“However even through the chaos- we’ve had countless beautiful, hilarious, crazy, funny and special memories together, and we really can’t wait to see what the future holds for Aaron as he is an incredibly talented songwriter, guitarist, producer and beautiful person.
“You will always be the boy from Beagle Bay that we fell madly in love with, and only with you happiness and a bright future ahead.”
Joan & The Giants had a busy 2024, ending the year with four new singles under their belt alongside concerts supporting P!nk, Lake Street Drive, and Belinda Carlisle. While 2025 will be a different dynamic for the band, who have held Birch as a member since the beginning, the group will carry on as a three-piece for a weekend of shows across WA. Catch Joan & The Giants for free at Gage Roads Freo on Saturday, the 18th, and headlining Koorliny Live on Sunday, the 19th.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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