Following the highly accomplished 2012 album Heaven, cult American indie band The Walkmen went on a decade long hiatus. But now they have reformed. In a recent interview with the band’s frontman Hamilton Leithauser, Vulture magazine referred to the now infamously long career break by The Walkmen as “a particularly noticeable void”. I would go a lot further than that. I (and a million other fans) grieved the loss of The Walkmen, because in the indie landscape they offered something unique.
The Walkmen were a monogamous band, up until the break. None of the members did any solo projects, but dedicated themselves to the band they had formed together as young friends in their early 20s. As frontman Hamilton Leithauser told me recently on The Art of Longevity:
“We were caught in this marriage we couldn’t get out of”.
Difficult Marriages don’t have to end in divorce. On this show, the idea of the hiatus as a healer of bands/marriages is not unusual. Tears For Fears were separated for 19 years. Suede for a decade - about the same as The Walkmen. Some bands announced a break-up (James even did the farewell tour) but others just go their separate ways and don’t make a song and dance about it.
But it turns out the hiatus is a good thing. Those above named bands have come back in style. Critically revered new records, sold-out tours, renewed cultural relevance and most of all, younger audiences.
But the interesting thing is that culturally, these bands never really went away. And so it is with The Walkmen. Their songs and fandom lived on through the extended break - even grew in their absence. This is perhaps the true miracle of music in the streaming era. Hamilton and the others were surprised and delighted to return to playing shows to loyal audiences both old and new, the younger fans among them singing every word of those old songs.
In the modern music biz, when the talk is of “always-on” creation, 24/7 content and acute FOMO, maybe the most valuable move a band can make is to not succumb to any of that, but to instead have the nerve and the confidence to do what’s necessary - even if that is nothing. Hamilton puts the stresses of modern day bands into perspective:
“It’s exhausting physically and mentally - in the long run. After you’ve done a bunch of records you think “do I really wanna do another rock & roll record, no I don’t think I do”, then it becomes about what you really want to do next”.
Of course, there are risks to a hiatus, such as fans losing interest, band members growing apart, or facing challenges when trying to regain their momentum after a prolonged break. However, if managed well and used as an opportunity for growth and rejuvenation, a hiatus can be a positive thing for rock bands and their artistic journey.
A good management team will make the most of a band reclaiming and building on their legacy and cultural impact, while making a comeback schedule fun - something joyous for bands and fans alike.
The hiatus has a lot to offer:
Creative Rejuvenation: Musicians and artists, like any creative individuals, may experience burnout or creative fatigue after touring extensively and producing albums consistently. Making a living in the modern music business is relentless and not for the faint-hearted. Taking a break allows them to step back from it all, explore new influences, and find fresh inspiration. This can lead to a revitalized creative output when the comeback is on. For evidence, see Suede.
Individual Pursuits: During a hiatus, band members can choose to explore individual projects or collaborate with other artists. This can help them grow as musicians and contribute to the diversity of their skills, which can ultimately benefit the band when they reunite.
Avoiding Stagnation: Sometimes, bands can fall into a pattern of producing similar-sounding music over time. A hiatus provides an opportunity for members to reflect on their musical direction and come back with a more evolved and unique sound.
Building Anticipation: As the saying goes, "absence makes the heart grow fonder." Going on hiatus can create a sense of longing and anticipation among fans. When the band eventually returns, it can lead to increased interest, higher demand for concerts and albums, and a generally enthusiastic fan base. Streaming has undoubtedly made this process even more of an asset.
Preserving Legacy: Sometimes, bands choose to go on hiatus to preserve their legacy and avoid becoming irrelevant or oversaturated in the market. By stepping back for a while, they can maintain the impact and significance of their past work.
Five bands who benefitted from the hiatus (i.e. on the Art of Longevity future invitations list!):
a-ha: In 1994, the band unofficially entered a hiatus, during which band members focused on solo projects. They came back in 2000 with a fine album Minor Earth, Major Sky but later embarked on a farewell tour. After reforming in 2015 the band has embarked on several new projects and under excellent management, remain a powerful creative-commercial force.
Blink-182: Blink-182 went on hiatus in 2005 and returned in 2009 with a different lineup. They've experienced lineup changes and hiatus periods at different points in their career but their most recent tour has broken records for ticket sales and the band’s streaming count has doubled.
My Chemical Romance: After disbanding in 2013, My Chemical Romance announced their reunion in 2019. It has taken a while but new material is emerging from the band.
Rage Against the Machine: The metal/hip hop legends went on hiatus in 2000 and reunited for a few performances over the years. However, they announced another hiatus after their "L.A. Rising" show in 2011. They've reunited once again for tours and performances since then.
Fall Out Boy: Fall Out Boy announced an indefinite hiatus in 2009. They reunited in 2013 and have been active since then.
This blog was aided by Chat GPT but checked and edited. The Walkmen were on The Art of Longevity episode 49!