Jake Luppen, the frontman of indie band Hippo Campus, has taken to social media to inform fans of his upcoming brain surgery, scheduled for November 6. The 31-year-old musician disclosed that he will undergo a six-hour procedure to remove a slow-growing brain tumour, following a routine scan that revealed changes in a lesion that was initially detected seven years ago.
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In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Luppen shared an image from an MRI scan alongside an update on his health. He recounted that a nine-millimetre lesion was first identified during an MRI back in 2016. However, during a routine check-up this summer, doctors observed “possible growth” in the lesion, which led to further tests including an EEG (electroencephalogram).
Reflecting on his recent health challenges, Luppen noted, “To my surprise, the panic symptoms I had been experiencing were actually focal seizures.” This new information pointed towards the necessity of surgery, as his doctors advised that a craniotomy would be the safest method of removing the tumour. Due to the lesion’s placement near his basal ganglia, a more invasive biopsy was deemed too risky.
Luppen elaborated on the surgery in his post, stating, “This kind of open brain surgery lasts for about six hours and requires that I’m awake so that they can safely access what they believe is a stage two glioma.” He explained that the medical team would aim to remove as much of the lesion as possible and would then send it for further examination. This would determine the most effective course of treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, grade two gliomas grow slowly and are less aggressive than their grade four counterparts, such as glioblastomas.
While acknowledging the inherent risks involved in the operation, Luppen expressed confidence in the medical team supporting him through this challenging period. He announced that Hippo Campus will perform one last gig before his surgery, encouraging fans to join him on October 19 in their hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In his Instagram post, he wrote, “All that being said, it might be a second before I can play music for y’all again. So, on October 19th, we’re playing a show at Turf Club to rage for one last time before I’m on my ass for a few months.” He assured fans that he is committed to his recovery, stating, “Rest assured I will work as hard as I can to get back on stage asap. I’ll keep y’all updated throughout this journey. Gonna be a wild ride.”
Luppen’s announcement comes as the band is still basking in the success of their fourth studio album, *Flood*, which was released in September 2024. Hippo Campus, known for their catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, includes members Nathan Stocker (guitar), Whistler Allen (drums), Zach Sutton (bass), and DeCarlo Jackson (trumpet).
The musician’s candid disclosure about his health has resonated with many fans, and he even took a moment to share a light-hearted comment in response to inquiries about his brain tumour. He jokingly remarked, “no it is not in my hippocampus ❤️,” in reference to both the band’s name and the part of the brain associated with memory and emotion.
As Luppen prepares for what will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in his life, both he and Hippo Campus continue to garner support from their devoted fanbase. The upcoming show on October 19 is expected to be an emotional send-off, allowing fans to unite in anticipation of Luppen’s surgery and subsequent recovery.