Kaaktaal announces indefinite hiatus, clarifies it’s not a breakup

In an unexpected turn of events, fans of the popular band Kaaktaal were left shocked on 17 May after the group announced a halt in their musical journey via a Facebook post. The announcement, made after four years of active performance, cited the band's need to pause due to "losing its peace."

The news was met with disappointment from their steadily growing fanbase, many of whom have followed the band's rise from niche appeal to wider recognition.

Speaking to TBS, the band's vocalist, who performs under the stage name Aia Lemonsky, sought to clarify the nature of the announcement. "A lot of people are misreading the announcement as Kaaktaal has ended for good, but that is not the case. We are taking a break — but yes, probably a very long break," Lemonsky said.

He reassured that this is not a permanent disbandment, but rather a necessary pause.

"We needed a break to find peace again; to reconnect with the music so that we can make a comeback in the future. Personally, I hadn't been feeling as emotionally connected to Kaaktaal as much as I used to. There wasn't much growth in the recent past," he added.

Lemonsky further stated that this was a unanimous decision by the band. The band initially began as a way to uplift and inspire themselves, with music bringing joy and meaning to the journey.

However, as their audience grew, so did the pressure and expectations. The increasing demands started to interfere with the core essence of the project, taking away from the enjoyment they once found in the process.