Well, here's a bummer. According to an online post from manager Martin Pike, Stereolab are going on hiatus. "We are all going to have a bit of a rest now after nearly 19 years and work on a few other projects," Pike wrote on the band's website Thursday (April 2), titling his note "Hiatus/Sabbatical/Pause/Intermission/Breather."
Since starting out in 1990, the Londonites have let loose a steady stream of retro-futuristic grooves over the years, and even carried on after the death of band member Mary Hansen in 2002. They also laid down a few downright classic albums, including 1996's Emperor Tomato Ketchup, which, as Pike jokingly points out, recently made number 51 on Amazon's list of the best indie rock albums of all time.
And while Stereolab may be shutting down, Pike says the band do have some new releases lined up. Via Stereolab's Duophonic Super 45s imprint, they plan to release Chemical Chords 2, which apparently will be made up of material recorded during the sessions held for the band's last full-length, 2008's Chemical Chords. Also, Pike said another instalment would be added to the group's Switched On compilation series and that some of the Stereolab back catalogue would be getting remastered.
Here's Pike message in full:
Hiatus/Sabbatical/Pause/Intermission/Breather
Dear All,
As we recently made #51 with Emperor Tomato Ketchup in the Amazon 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums of all Time we feel that our work is done for the moment.
We have had to cancel the last two shows that we were scheduled to play, apologies to all that had bought tickets, and there are no plans to record new tracks.
Duophonic are working on the release of Chemical Chords 2, we also have plans for a new Switched On and remastering of the back catalogue.
We are are all going to have a bit of a rest now after nearly 19 years and work on a few other projects.
The website will still be updated and disks released but there won't be any new Stereolab product for a while.
Cheerio
Pikey
Since starting out in 1990, the Londonites have let loose a steady stream of retro-futuristic grooves over the years, and even carried on after the death of band member Mary Hansen in 2002. They also laid down a few downright classic albums, including 1996's Emperor Tomato Ketchup, which, as Pike jokingly points out, recently made number 51 on Amazon's list of the best indie rock albums of all time.
And while Stereolab may be shutting down, Pike says the band do have some new releases lined up. Via Stereolab's Duophonic Super 45s imprint, they plan to release Chemical Chords 2, which apparently will be made up of material recorded during the sessions held for the band's last full-length, 2008's Chemical Chords. Also, Pike said another instalment would be added to the group's Switched On compilation series and that some of the Stereolab back catalogue would be getting remastered.
Here's Pike message in full:
Hiatus/Sabbatical/Pause/Intermission/Breather
Dear All,
As we recently made #51 with Emperor Tomato Ketchup in the Amazon 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums of all Time we feel that our work is done for the moment.
We have had to cancel the last two shows that we were scheduled to play, apologies to all that had bought tickets, and there are no plans to record new tracks.
Duophonic are working on the release of Chemical Chords 2, we also have plans for a new Switched On and remastering of the back catalogue.
We are are all going to have a bit of a rest now after nearly 19 years and work on a few other projects.
The website will still be updated and disks released but there won't be any new Stereolab product for a while.
Cheerio
Pikey