Sad news for our friends across the Atlantic holding tickets to the upcoming Maya shows: at McCarren Park last Friday, and again last night at MoMA's 40th annual benefit "Party in the Garden," M.I.A. made public her plan to cancel all upcoming dates. That includes all of Europe and you too, Bonnaroo. Although I've seen the Kala stageshow more times than I can count this past year, I'm a little bummed to know she won't be down there for me to stalk. But that's being selfish -- it really sounds like she could use a break. And it really sounds like she was dying to talk about this with someone. Vulture asked the right questions and got some candid responses on why now's the time for an Arulprgasamic hiatus:
"I'm canceling because I feel like physically I just have to stop for a second," she said. "It's too insane. I was losing a sense of just, like, reality, you know what I mean? I think for an artist like me, it's so important for me to be in the streets and go to the same shop every day and see the same people and, like, communicate. And it's really difficult to do that when you're in the city every day for 24 hours. Like, I love connecting with my band, but I want to actually help them and be a part of peoples' lives. Which is really hard when you're on tour."
Also, she said, touring is really hard: "It takes a lot out of you, physically. I make club music, which means I'm clubbing every night for, like, six months. Know what I mean? So now and again you finally just want to be gardening and get your nails done or something like that."
As difficult as that is to empathize with since those are extraordinary living conditions (said the blogger who only leaves the couch for the gym and concerts), it's easy to sympathize. And as weird as it might sound to hear her say "I'm an artist and it's really difficult when you become the art, and you're like, 'Look at me!' every day" (because have you seen her wigs and outfits?), it sorta fits the detachment occasionally apparent in her stage posturing. Anyway, it's a highly quotable and state-of-mind revealing confessional, so head over to NY Mag's Vulture for the full read. In the meantime, rest easy knowing Maya is next "going to put out a new record." Right after she finishes with that honeymoon, probably.
