Seattle group The Postal Service plans to go on an indefinite hiatus after its final 2024 tour date this week. The band took to its social media platforms on September 16 to confirm that the members will be going on a break after their last show at the HFStival in Washington, DC, on September 21. The performance will also feature other artists like Bush, Garbage, Jimmy Eat World, Girl Talk, and more.
Band member Ben Gibbard, in a statement, said,
"As we bring the 'Transtlanticism/Give up' tour to a close, I want you all to know that getting the opportunity to perform these two albums live has been one the greatest thrills and honors of my life. On behalf of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service; Thank you so much for coming out and singing along."
His sign-off message read,
"We will see you all again somewhere down the road."
Ben's two bands, The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie, have been on a joint tour since 2023 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Transatlantisim and Give Up.
Before their tour started in 2023, The Postal Service had not gone on tour since 2013, and their album for the tour, Give Up, marks their only studio album to date.
Ben Gibbard on The Postal Service's break
This isn't the first time band member Ben Gibbard has talked about his band, The Postal Service, taking a break. In August, while speaking to NME, Ben hinted at the probability of the band not releasing new music.
He said the main reason the second record by The Postal Service never worked out and "will never come to fruition" was because of the team and that he had to devote to Death Cab for Cutie. He mentioned that there isn't enough time to make a "suitable follow up (to Give Up)" and that anything that they attempt to create "would be thoroughly disappointing."
While comparing The Postal Service with Death Cab for Cutie, Ben said,
"The stakes are just lower (in Death Cab for Cutie) when you're putting an labum out every two to three years. If people don't like this one, there'll be another one later. But after 20 years, there is no way that would be satisfying to people."
He also mentioned that he would rather focus on Death Cab for Cutie "than be watering both projects" and that he doesn't have the "capacity to do both."
Death Cab for Cutie released their recent album, Asphalt Meadows, two years ago.