In a message posted Friday to its official website, The Stills explained that the five members of the indie rock band made the decision to part ways several months ago.

“We love each other, we have taught each other, and we’ve grown up together, through all kinds of madness and years and twists and turns, and we spent the better part of last year trying to keep it going for each other, out of love for one another and out of respect for our long past together.

“But ultimately, the best decision for each one of us, and in order for each of us to live fully, creatively, and freely, being true to our hearts, this had to happen. … It’s not easy to know when the best ending is, but we found ours, and it’s one that allows us to look back on all we’ve achieved with great pride and a sense of real accomplishment. Now that the book closes, we can look on the journey and see it as one trip, from beginning to end; one complete and perfectly imperfect universe.” 

The group put out three full-length studio albums, including its most recent release, 2008’s Oceans Will Rise.

The Stills wasn’t the only Canadian band calling it quits last week. On Thursday You Say Party posted its own statement, written by bassist Stephen O’Shea, explaining that the group was immediately ceasing activity as You Say Party.

“Call it a hiatus. Call it a break. Call it whatever you want,” the statement said.

“It’s been a hard year for us. Not a bad year. We’ve experience wonderful support from people. But you gotta listen to your body and your mind when it begins to revolt against what you think it is you have to do. So we’re gonna stop for a while, and we’re gonna work on who we are as people. We know that everyone understands exactly why and where we’re coming from. Thanks for the support over the years.”

The indie rock band formed in 2004 as You Say Party! We Say Die! Last year the band changed its name to You Say Party to show respect to its drummer Devon Clifford, who died in 2009 from a brain hemorrhage. Keyboardist Krista Loewen left the group last year and was replaced by Robert Andow. Drummer Bobby Siadat also joined the group last year, and was later replaced by Al Boyle. The band’s third album, XXXX, was released in 2009.

Click here to read the complete statement from The Stills.    

Click here to read the statement from You Say Party.