Australian indie rockers the Jezabels are poised to return with their third LP Synthia next month, but the band have just announced a difficult decision to cancel upcoming tour dates in support of the record. Keyboardist Heather Shannon has been battling ovarian cancer for the last three years, and despite managing to maintain "life as usual" for the most part, a turn in her condition requires immediate treatment in Sydney.
The rest of the band have shown their support by cancelling all upcoming shows, opting not to tour without the full lineup in tact.
A statement from the band reads:
Three years ago Heather was diagnosed with a unique type of ovarian cancer. Although she has been able to maintain life as usual generally, between treatments, the time has come for her to undergo further immediate treatment which will require her to stay in Sydney.
We were very excited to be hitting the road again in support of our third album, SYNTHIA, but sadly due to a sudden turn of events Heather's condition requires attention now so touring in the proposed time frame is no longer possible.
Shannon, meanwhile, offered up a personal message of her own:
Up until now, I have preferred to not let this diagnosis get in the way of getting on with life. I feel a deep frustration at this new roadblock, as I now have to take a step back and undergo treatment. The band means so much to me, and cancelling the tour has been a very sad decision. I am hopeful that in the near future we will be back on the road again playing music we love. This album means so much to us, and we were so looking forward to sharing it live with everyone.
Having said that, I feel very lucky to be in the care of the public health system here in Australia. I have met many inspiring people and I am receiving the best treatment possible. There is a lot of research going into ovarian cancer at the moment, and a big push for awareness.
She ends by sharing links to Ovarian Cancer Australia and Australian New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, encouraging fans to donate.
And while Canadian fans — who are no doubt sending their well wishes to Shannon — will no longer be able to catch the Jezabels on their North American dates, Synthia is still expected to land on February 12 through Dine Alone.
The rest of the band have shown their support by cancelling all upcoming shows, opting not to tour without the full lineup in tact.
A statement from the band reads:
Three years ago Heather was diagnosed with a unique type of ovarian cancer. Although she has been able to maintain life as usual generally, between treatments, the time has come for her to undergo further immediate treatment which will require her to stay in Sydney.
We were very excited to be hitting the road again in support of our third album, SYNTHIA, but sadly due to a sudden turn of events Heather's condition requires attention now so touring in the proposed time frame is no longer possible.
Shannon, meanwhile, offered up a personal message of her own:
Up until now, I have preferred to not let this diagnosis get in the way of getting on with life. I feel a deep frustration at this new roadblock, as I now have to take a step back and undergo treatment. The band means so much to me, and cancelling the tour has been a very sad decision. I am hopeful that in the near future we will be back on the road again playing music we love. This album means so much to us, and we were so looking forward to sharing it live with everyone.
Having said that, I feel very lucky to be in the care of the public health system here in Australia. I have met many inspiring people and I am receiving the best treatment possible. There is a lot of research going into ovarian cancer at the moment, and a big push for awareness.
She ends by sharing links to Ovarian Cancer Australia and Australian New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, encouraging fans to donate.
And while Canadian fans — who are no doubt sending their well wishes to Shannon — will no longer be able to catch the Jezabels on their North American dates, Synthia is still expected to land on February 12 through Dine Alone.