Jinja Safari & Two More Aussie Favourites Just Called It A Day

With your news feed no doubt filling up with posts related to the tragic loss of music legend David Bowie, you may have missed the departure of three of Australia’s favourite indie bands from the local music scene.

Yesterday saw three Aussie bands call it a day – Brisbane’s The Cairos, Sydney favourites Jinja Safari, and Adelaide rockers Leader Cheetah. Each band took to Facebook to announce the sad news and bid a final farewell to fans.

“A short time ago, we got together and came to the realisation that we’re all ready for the next part of our lives,” The Carios wrote of their decision to part ways, following seven years together, one LP, and numerous tours.

“After spending the best part of seven years in planes, vans, rehearsal rooms, sleeping on couches, it’s time for new creative challenges, projects and adventures.” The band will complete a three-date tour this month before closing up shop (see below).

Meanwhile, in a statement addressed to their “amazing fans, friends, and family”, Jinja Safari announced they will split after five years together, having “reached a cross roads in [our] career”.

“Jinja Safari has been a big part of our lives ever since our first gig in a forest on the Central Coast of NSW almost six years ago,” the band wrote, thanking the support of triple j in allowing them to form careers “we are all extremely proud of”.

“While we’ve loved every minute of creating new music and performing on stage, we have reached a cross roads in the career and as a result we have decided to call it a day. It has been an extremely difficult decision to make but feel that ultimately, it’s the best thing for all members of the group.”

Speaking to triple j, Jinja Safari songwriter Marcus Azon said the band have been busy writing a second album over the past two years and have “about 30 songs almost ready to release”, though no date has been set.

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“We want to release another album to say thanks to our fans for the wild ride. Not sure when that will be, but hopefully early this year. We never expected that things would take off as quickly as they did,” he said in a statement.

And finally, Leader Cheetah called their dissolution “many years overdue” in a statement shared with fans via Facebook. “Now feels like a good time to finally take the time and thank those involved with Leader Cheetah during its four and a half year existence and say farewell.”

“It was a hell of a ride and many amazing experiences were had… Here’s to new musical adventures and the next frontier,” they conclude. Among the band’s accolades are a triple j feature album in 2009 and a string of prestigious festival spots and support gigs.