Fun. may currently absent from the music scene, while Nate Ruess guests on major pop releases and Jack Antonoff dates Lena Dunham and plays the indie rock darling in Bleachers, but the "We Are Young" band is not breaking up. In the midst of rumors of tension in the band and two years after winning the Grammy for Best New Artist, today (Feb. 5), fun. dismissed rumors about band tensions in a lengthy Facebook post.
Stating that fun. emerged when Ruess, Antonoff and Andrew Dost's other projects fell apart, the three members announced that they haven't released new music together because they've been busy and haven't felt "inspired" to do so. "One thing that has always been so special about fun. is that we exist as three individuals in music who come together to do something collaborative," the band wrote before explaining that Ruess and Antonoff were busy working on their solo projects. (Ruess is working on his debut solo album with producer Jeff Bhasker.)
And despite critical and fan success with its 2012 album Some Nights, fun. made it clear that they were never in music for the fame and instead want to make good music when it's right.
"Some Nights was a successful album and it would have been very easy for us to jump back in the studio and capitalize on our momentum," the band wrote. "But making records and touring when it's 'good for business' means nothing to us. We make records and tour when we are inspired to do so."
Read the full statement from fun. below:
"hi guys!
A lot of you have been asking us for an update on when to expect new music from fun. As you know, we like to give you guys news and updates when they are ready, but there has been a lot of recent chatter and we hear you and wanted to speak to you directly to explain a few things.
so here goes-
first and foremost to answer the question that has been raised most often: fun is not breaking up.
fun was founded by the 3 of us at a time when we were coming out of our own bands. one thing that has always been so special about fun is that we exist as 3 individuals in music who come together to do something collaborative. we make fun records when we are super inspired to do so. currently nate is working on his first solo album, andrew is scoring films and jack is on tour and working on bleachers music. the 3 of us have always followed inspiration wherever it leads us. sometimes that inspiration leads to fun music, sometimes it leads to musical endeavors outside of fun. we see all of it as part of the ecosystem that makes fun, fun.
you guys are EVERYTHING to us. honestly. We want to treat YOU GUYS (our amazing fan base) with the respect you deserve; and that is by making music when we are fully ready to make it and never giving you guys anything that is less than 100%. "Some Nights" was a successful album and it would have been very easy for us to jump back in the studio and capitalize on our momentum. but making records and touring when its "good for business" means nothing to us. we make records and tour when we are inspired to do so. that is the very reason why we have built such a special connection with all of you. that is how we can be the most honest to the people who support our music.
It's also important for you guys to know that the 3 of us are very involved and supportive of all these different projects going on within the fun family at the moment. that fact that our tiny club can produce so many different kinds of music together and as individuals is very special to us.
as always, we'll keep you guys updated!
all our love
nate, jack and andrew"
Despite the band insisting that its fine, Billboard reports that there is tension between Ruess, Antonoff and Dost. Citing a "clash of egos," the publication claims that sources said that the members of fun. will go weeks or months without talking to one another, and that the future of the group is in jeopardy.
Billboard also indicates that fun. posted its Facebook message after they reached out to the band for comments on the tension story.
