Chicano Batman, the Los Angeles band that formed in 2008 and melted psych-rock with Tropicália and indie rock on their ensuing five studio albums, have announced they’re going on an “indefinite hiatus” after they complete their upcoming shows this fall. The group didn’t cite a specific reason for the pause, but did thank fans for helping them build a community.
“Chicano Batman Family, it’s been an incredible year,” their statement, posted to Instagram, reads. “Thank you for believing in us. We love you and this movement that you have built around our music. When this year ends, Chicano Batman will be going on an indefinite hiatus. Let’s celebrate the music of the past 16 years together in Mexico next week and in California on our October and November run. Con mucho AMOR, siempre.”
After releasing their self-titled debut album in 2010, Chicano Batman sparked an enthusiastic fandom that only grew with the LPs that followed: 2014’s Cycles of Existential Rhyme, 2017’s Freedom Is Free, and 2020’s Invisible People. During their run, Chicano Batman brought their music on tour internationally, and to TV screens by way of their late-night debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. They also performed on NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” series, and, in 2021, frontman Bardo Martinez also released his own debut solo album.
Earlier this year, Chicano Batman released their final studio album, Notebook Fantasy. As stated in their farewell post, they will play a handful of shows this fall before putting the band to rest. The final Chicano Batman live concert is scheduled for November 3 in Ventura, California.
