Mike ‘McDuck’ Olson Departs Lake Street Dive

Lake Street Dive announced the departure of co-founding member Mike “McDuck” Olson. A note from Olson explaining his decision was posted on the band’s social media accounts.

“After 16 years playing in Lake Street Dive, it is time for a change,” Olson wrote. “I’m going to hang up my trumpet, and let someone else take a turn on the tour bus.” Mike went on to thank the fans for their support.

McDuck made it clear the band will move on without him. Lake Street Dive has yet to name a replacement.

Read the full text of Olson’s note below:

Hi everyone, Mike Olson here. I want to share some news with everyone: after 16 years playing in Lake Street Dive, it is time for a change. I’m going to hang up my trumpet, and let someone else take a turn on the tour bus.

But don’t worry! The rest of Lake Street Dive isn’t going anywhere, which is actually really awesome, because it means you, the Lake Street Dive FANS, aren’t going anywhere.

I want you to know how deeply I’ve appreciated all of you out there, although it may have been hard to tell sometimes, because I have one, and ONLY one, facial expression. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I’m a huge fan of yours.

I may have been the one onstage the whole time, but you played the more important role: you showed up, and then showed up again. Then you started learning the lyrics to our songs, and danced along. Then you waited in the rain for us to start playing, or sweated like crazy at the summer festivals, and packed into someone’s car and road-tripped when our closest concert was sixty miles away. I’ve come to realize the measure of a band is in the quality of the people in the audience. We’re really lucky to have you.

So as one of your biggest fans, let me say: thank you. The next time Lake Street Dive is in town, maybe I’ll see you…but in the crowd this time. I know it’s going to be a great show.

Lake Street Dive released their most recent album, Obviously, on March 12. The band returns to the stage in June for three shows at Beak & Skiff Orchards in Lafayette, New York and two nights at Westville Music Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut.