Multi-instrumentalist Franz Nicolay has left The Hold Steady. Nicolay commented on the departure on his website: "You should know: I've left The Hold Steady. I told the band I'd be leaving in early September, played my last show with them in Minneapolis around Thanksgiving, and dotted the t's and crossed the i's this week. Five years seemed like a nice round number. Thanks to everyone who was a part of the experience, especially the Unified Scene, who are nice folks. I'll see you all soon in any case."

Nicolay will be keeping busy, however; in addition to his participation in World/Inferno Friendship Society, he recently released a solo EP entitled St. Sebastian of the Short Stage and will soon release a collection of short stories and observations called Complicated Gardening Techniques, and Nicolay's other band Guignol recently released a split with Mischief Brew.