Pitchfork: The Robot Ate Me: "It's Over"

Under his The Robot Ate Me moniker, Portland-based songsmith Ryland Bouchard (and assorted collaborators) managed to release four full-length albums in some four years, including three for Kill Rock Stars sister label 5RC. Yet according to a recent MySpace bulletin from TRAM, Ryland has decided to retire the name and move on to greener musical pastures.

"This project has reached its logical end," Bouchard explained in the September 7 missive. "I need to explore new ideas and begin collaborations that will continue my interest in music."

He also hints at a pair of upcoming releases "unrelated to The Robot Ate Me" and due next year, so it would seem the exploration of new ideas has already begun.

Bouchard's complete farewell address follows after the jump. Thanks to reader Jared Watson for the tip.

Hi,

I'm somewhere in New York state, eventually driving back home to Oregon. I've been traveling the country trying to determine where my life should go. This pursuit has been more difficult than I had imagined it would be. In any case, I need to clarify some things so that when I get home everything will be clean and tidy:

I whole heartedly appreciate the support you all have provided me since 2002 with this project, but it's over. This doesn't mean music will not be released by me, just that this project has reached its logical end. I need to explore new ideas and begin collaborations that will continue my interest in music.

There will be two releases unrelated to The Robot Ate Me coming out next year but all the details will need to be worked out in the coming months as recordings are completed and so on. Again, I can't thank everyone enough.

- Ryland