We received word late yesterday afternoon that Gregg LaGambina, editor of the Los Angeles-based and New York-hearted Filter, is leaving the magazine. LaGambina, who in four years has seen Filter grow from a small player in the music space to a multi-platform brand channeling indie music's finest, alerted friends via e-mail:

A little over four years ago, I was backstage in Arizona, on my knees, steam-ironing a black bedsheet to hang on an ugly cinder-block wall so that Weezer would look good on our very first issue's cover. Today, I can't believe how far this magazine has come; it's been one of the most gratifying things I've ever been a part of.

Continue for LaGambina's heartfelt note about "galloping on a white mare into the sun" (very, uh, Goldfrapp) in its entirety.

-----Original Message-----
From: "Gregg LaGambina"
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2006 17:45:43
To: "Gregg LaGambina"
Subject: Leaving Filter Magazine.

Dear friends,

This week, I am leaving my position as Editor-in-Chief of Filter Magazine. A little over four years ago, I was backstage in Arizona, on
my knees, steam-ironing a black bedsheet to hang on an ugly cinder-block wall so that Weezer would look good on our very first issue's cover. Today, I can't believe how far this magazine has come; it's been one of the most gratifying things I've ever been a part of.

Here's where I say something about surveying the land, wiping my brow, and galloping on a white mare into the sun or something, but it's not exactly as dramatic as all that. It just feels like it's time for me to move on and try something else. I will still write. I will still listen to music. I'm certain we'll all be working together again soon on something.

So, this isn't a goodbye, but a small moment where I get to thank all of you for everything we've been able to work on together and accomplish these past four years. There are way too many people to thank individually here, but I'm always amazed at how many of us are out there, just smiling fans who want to share that feeling with anyone else who will listen.

The next issue of Filter Magazine, my last, will be out on April 21st. The cover story by Chris Martins is amazing. The art direction by Eric Almendral is gorgeous. The photography coordinated by Andrea LaBarge is beautiful. As long as people that talented are involved, I have no doubt Filter Magazine will continue to flourish and rightfully be considered as the best of its kind.

Until the next thing...

Take care,

Gregg LaGambina