Singer KRISTEN MAY Quits FLYLEAF

Singer Kristen May has announced her departure from FLYLEAF after a four-year tenure with the band.

May replaced original vocalist Lacey Sturm when the latter abruptly departed FLYLEAF in October 2012. She recorded one album with the group, 2014's "Between The Stars", and toured with FLYLEAF in support of the effort, including headlining 2015's Revolver trek.

May confirmed her exit from FLYLEAF via a video message on her Facebook page. She explained: "The reasons behind my leaving… One of them right now, obviously, is that I wanna be the best mom I can be, and I wanna be here for my son for everything.

"I've toured in bands and been on the road and away from home for twelve years. And so, for me, to be able to plant some roots for a little bit with my son and with my husband and our dogs here at my home is really, really important to me. I feel like it's something that God has called me to do. I feel like it's a very high calling for me, and a very clear calling for me.

"As far as will I make music later? Absolutely. I know that I will make music again. I already am picking up the guitar again and getting time when I can to make music. But I don't think it will be with FLYLEAF."

She continued: "Though I love the album 'Between The Stars', and I feel like the guys and I really poured our hearts and souls in it, I never truly felt like I was part of the team in a way that I never truly felt like the band was mine. And I'm sure a lot of people feel that way when they come into a band that had a previous lead singer. The story isn't all mine. And so I never truly felt like I fit in. And so I just feel like life is too short to stay where you aren't fully growing.

"Anyway, just to be honest, completely honest with you, I need to grow and move elsewhere. And whether that is with music, I know it will be in some capacity. Or whether it's… I've been really into yoga and essential oils and health and wellness, and that's something I wanna explore as well. I also wanna explore art and try to get better at painting. There's just so many things I want to do right now, and committing myself to one band just isn't what is right for me."

Kristen is married to her former VEDERA bandmate Brian Little.

VEDERA split up in 2011, two years after releasing its Epic debut, "Stages". The effort peaked at No. 2 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart.

"Between The Stars" sold 8,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 33 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on September 16, 2014 via Loud & Proud Records.

"Between The Stars" was recorded over a four-week period at a Los Angeles studio with producer Don Gilmore (PEARL JAM, LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE).