Passion Pit Announce Hiatus

Passion Pit

Passion Pit have announced a hiatus for the foreseeable future to focus on mental health:

Until it is safer and healthier for us to be advocates, to be a writers, producers, and performers, I simply cannot continue making music. You’re either committed to it or not. To raise awareness one moment and announce a show the next doesn’t help me. It hurts me. And others. I love Passion Pit and I love music even more. When something would be wrong, I’d try to ignore it. Then I’d almost die. Really.History loves to repeat itself and it’s because of systems and their flaws. So, I decided to make solving this issue my priority for now. xo

how many more episodes of behind the music do we need? how many more artists need to die? sexual harassment lawsuits need to be thrown out? i make so much music on a regular basis. the only way i can do that is because i work really hard to stay healthy. better health = more art. it’s the 5th-anniversary of Gossamer, an album that is about and the product of a manic episode. I nearly lost everything, including my life. trying to make sure that Gossamer doesn’t happen to me or anyone ever again. i am always making music. will only release music if it is to benefit the work i am doing to improve the environment in which it is made.

George R.R. Martin Offers Update on Books

Game of Thrones

George R.R. Martin has updated his blog on the future of his books:

“And, yes, I know you all want to know about The Winds of Winter too. I’ve seen some truly weird reports about WOW on the internet of late, by ‘journalists’ who make their stories up out of whole cloth. I don’t know which story is more absurd, the one that says the book is finished and I’ve been sitting on it for some nefarious reason, or the one that says I have no pages. Both ‘reports’ are equally false and equally moronic. I am still working on it, I am still months away (how many? good question), I still have good days and bad days, and that’s all I care to say.

Linkin Park Cancel Tour

Linkin Park

Linkin Park have canceled their upcoming tour:

Tour promoter Live Nation said in a statement, “We are incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Chester Bennington. The Linkin Park One More Light North American Tour has been canceled. Refunds avail at point of purchase. Our thoughts to all those affected.”

The upcoming shows with Blink-182 were also canceled:

blink-182 is wrecked by the loss of our friend and amazing musician Chester Bennington. We could never imagine playing blinkin park without his incredible talent and voice. It just would not be possible. We send our deepest sympathies to his family, bandmates, friends and fans. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase.