Pitchfork

Mazarin is the name of a 17th century priest, a gallery in France, and an antique chest, as well as part of the title of a Sherlock Holmes movie. It is also the name of Philadelphia indie-psych guru Quentin Stoltzfus' ongoing project since 1999...at least until next month.

On December 2, at the Philadelphia bar/restaurant/venue Johnny Brenda's, Stoltzfus and his current bandmates will perform as Mazarin one last time. Forced to legally surrender the Mazarin name to these guys, who have apparently been "slaves to rock n roll" since the 1970s, Stoltzfus has chosen to break up the band. A post on the Mazarin website assures that he will continue making music, though it is unclear under what name.

Over the past seven years, Mazarin released three albums (1999's Watch It Happen, 2001's A Tall-Tale Storyline, and 2005's We're Already There) and several singles. Tourmates the Walkmen covered We're Already There's "Another One Goes By" on their album from earlier this year, A Hundred Miles Off.

In honor of Mazarin's retirement, Stotzfus has made available a new song for free download on MySpace, as well as by clicking on the link below. It's a cover of fellow Philadelphia band Blood Feathers' "Your Advice", and in typical Mazarin fashion, it layers woozy psychedelia over a folksy underpinning. Joining Stoltzfus on the track are members of the band Apollo Sunshine.

Mazarin are currently taking requests for songs to be played at their final shows. To send one in, email theband@mazarinband.com