The Dears Announce Impending Hiatus

Canadian stages will soon be afflicted with wasted floor space, as Montreal-based six-piece The Dears have announced a touring hiatus.

According to an official statement, the band are taking time off from the road to discover "what it's like to not live out of a suitcase," to write and record new songs "meant to bring balance to the universe" and to allow keyboardist and backup singer Natalia Yanchak to prepare for the birth of her and frontman Murray Lightburn's baby.

Incidentally though, the statement reads like a dying person's last words. The band thank countless labels, distributors, promoters, reps and other musicians who have worked or toured with The Dears during the course of their career. For the fans, The Dears say, "We will miss all of you. And please don't forget that we genuinely love you, care about you and always will, no matter what. Thanks for the memories and remember to try and love each other."

To sustain us during their absence, we have been promised to fall in love with the band's upcoming video for the single "22: The Death Of All The Romance." Filmed by band friends Andre Bendahan and Sean Scott, the animated video tells "a beautifully sad story" mixed in with live footage of the band's performance at Montreal's Sala Rossa last year.

Before they sail off into domestic bliss, though, The Dears have promised to play the following dates:
July 14 Ottawa, ON @ Blues Festival
July 19 Montreal, QC @ Spectrum