Mitch Ansell has called time on his stint in Melbourne-based indie dance act Northeast Party House. The band revealed the news of Ansell’s departure on social media, writing that they’re “so proud and grateful” of what they’ve achieved together and that they’re “going to miss [Ansell] so much.”

Ansell joined Northeast Party House in 2011 when the band was finding its feet on the Melbourne indie scene. He’s been a core member ever since, appearing on the albums Any Given Weekend (2014), Dare (2016) and Shelf Life (2020). Ansell’s swan song will be the band’s upcoming fourth album, Enhancer, which is due out on May 17. He co-wrote the pre-album singles “Brain Freeze” and “Wish We Could.”

Ansell reflected on his time in the band in an Instagram post. “13 years of some of the most incredible fun I will ever have,” he said. “From using cardboard boxes as blankets and sleeping on the side of freeways, to Splendour, Falls, overseas tours, Like A Versions, ARIA Noms and shiny records to hang on the wall.”

Ansell and the rest of Northeast Party House remain on good terms, though the guitarist spoke of a desire to shift course creatively. “The running joke in Northeast was that each member listened to completely different music,” Ansell wrote on Instagram. “The time felt right to slow down the BPM and get back to my rock dog roots.”

Ansell currently plays in the pop rock outfit Jeane, who released the single “Emotional Baby” in November 2023. Follow Northeast Party House here and Jeane here.