Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Confirms The Mars Volta's Hiatus
posted in: Music News • Rock
When bands break up, it’s usually with a shout, a big announcement, or a farewell note. But when bands enter the shady and undefined realm of the “indefinite hiatus,” they usually do so with a nothing more than a quiet murmur. In a recent interview with CityArtsOnline, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the guitarist of The Mars Volta and former member of seminal post-hardcore outfit At The Drive-In, responded to a question regarding The Mars Volta’s hiatus with the type of uncertain language characteristic of bands who have entered the liminal space of their lifespans. When asked about the current status of the band, Rodriguez-Lopez responded:
“I don’t know, and I’m not¦insecure enough to have to ask myself that. It’s like, we’ve done that for 10 years, 11 years. Now we’re all doing different things, and everything that we’re doing informs how we express ourselves, and so if that happens then it happens and if it doesn’t it doesn’t. It’s not something to be worried about. It shouldn’t occupy a space in the mind. There’s way too many things that are much too important to occupy space in the mind. That’s first and foremost on my agenda: Who’s paying rent in my mind? If you’re a bad tenant, get out.”
While Rodriguez-Lopez’ convoluted answer might not seem to offer too much confirmation of a hiatus at first glance, his casual description, “if that happens then it happens and if it doesn’t it doesn’t,” is pretty much the definition of a band taking an unplanned break from activity. If you’re bummed about The Mars Volta, you can get your fix by checking out Rodriguez-Lopez’ new act Bosnian Rainbows or listening to OurStage band Opus Dai.
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