About a year ago, drummer Ali Koehler left her previous band, Vivian Girls, so that she could play for Best Coast.   Best Coast was seen playing with a male drummer up in San Francisco earlier this week and soon after, it was reported that Ali Koehler is no longer part of the band.

Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison

Koehler had been playing with Best Coast since July 2010, and it appears that the choice to part ways with Best Coast was not hers.  Since the announcement was made, Koehler has Tweeted, “Not my choice, sorry if you’re disappointed”, “I’m sorry, I’m equally disappointed”, and “your guess is as good as mine”.

Best Coast has been working on a new album with Jon Brion since October, although it can be assumed that Koehler will not be featured on the record.  Around the same time Best Coast hit the studio, Koehler released a solo track on her Bandcamp page.  The featured song, “Unwell,” is considerably lo-fi and sparse in nature, but hopefully Ali Koehler will continue making music whether or not it is with Best Coast.

A couple of days ago, Bethany posted a statement on the Best Coast website regarding Koehler’s departure from the band:

“It seems there have been some misunderstandings surrounding the departure of Ali from the band.  Best Coast has and always will be Bobb and I.  No matter who has joined the band on tour, whatever lineup ensues, the band is simply the two of us.  That said, these past two years have been full of nothing but the greatest of memorable adventures and I am so grateful that my friend Ali was a part of them when we were on tour.  As we enter into a new chapter and record for the band, we can’t wait to share all of the new songs Bobb and I are working really hard on with all of you.”

Although Koehler’s days with Best Coast have finished, she will undoubtably keep making music just as Bethany and Bobb will.  Take a listen to Ali Koehler’s solo track “Unwell” below.

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