Swallow The Sun's Juha Raivio Comments On Absence From Live Shows

Fans catching Swallow The Sun live recently have noticed that long time guitarist Juha Raivio has been curiously absent, with Juho Räihä standing in his place. Today Raivio issued the following statement about the situation:

"As people are asking all the time from me if I have quit Swallow the Sun, or why am I not playing live with the band anymore, here is some answers for you. Answer is of course not. I formed the band 17 years ago and have written 8 STS albums and one EP altogether since then. I would love nothing more than play live for you as that is where my heart is, but life didn’t go that way.

"This music and the lyrics are just too personal to go in front of the people at the moment and rip your heart open again and again. I hope you understand. Maybe one day. But please go and support the boys on tour and show your love to Juho Räihä who has been doing great job filling in for me. Take care now."

Swallow The Sun is currently embarked on a North American tour alongside Amorphis. Full upcoming date and venue info is available below.

Thursday, March 9th - Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
Friday, March 10th - Providence, RI @ Firehouse 13
Saturday, March 11th - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Sunday, March 12th - Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
Tuesday, March 14th - New York City, NY @ Stage 48
Wednesday, March 15th - Ottawa, ON (CAN) @ Mavericks
Thursday, March 16th - Quebec City, QC (CAN) @ Le Cercle
Friday, March 17 - Montreal, QC (CAN) @ Foufones Electriques
Saturday, March 18th - Toronto, ON (CAN) @ Mod Club Theatre
Sunday, March 19th - Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater
Tuesday, March 21st - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
Wednesday, March 22nd - Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
Thursday, March 23rd - Louisville, KY @ Diamond Pub
Friday, March 24th - Westland, MI @ The Token Lounge
Saturday, March 25th - Cudahy, WI @ The Metal Grill
Sunday, March 26th - Chicago, IL, @ Reggies Rock Club
Tuesday, March 28th - Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze
Wednesday, March 29th - Winnipeg, MB (CAN) @ The Park Theatre
Thursday, March 30th - Regina, SK (CAN) @ Exchange
Friday, March 31st - Edmonton, AL (CAN) @ The Starlite Room
Saturday, April 1st - Calgary, AB, (CAN) @ Dickens
Sunday, April 2nd - Kelowna, BC (CAN) @ LEVEL
Monday, April 3rd - Vancouver, BC (CAN) @ Rickshaw Theatre
Tuesday, April 4th - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Friday, April 7th - West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky
Saturday, April 8th - Anaheim, CA @ The Grove
Sunday, April 9th - Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
Tuesday, April 11th - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
Wednesday, April 12th - Merriam, KS @ Aftershock
Friday, April 14th - Dallas, TX @ Trees
Saturday, April 15th - San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
Sunday, April 16th - Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
Monday, April 17th - New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music Hall
Tuesday, April 18th - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
Wednesday, April 19th - Winter Park, FL @ The Haven
Thursday, April 20th - Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater
Friday, April 21st - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Saturday, April 22nd - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Sunday, April 23rd - Amityville, NY @ Revolution Music Hall