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You Say Party takes a break

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Abbotsford's You Say Party has announced it will be taking a hiatus.

Abbotsford's You Say Party (YSP) has decided to call it quits.

The new-wave, dance-punk band announced today on its website that the members will be taking a hiatus from their music.

"Call it a break. Call it whatever you want. It's been a hard year for us," read the message  posted by bassist and founding member Stephen O'Shea.

The announcement comes almost one year to the day after the death of YSP's drummer, Devon Clifford, who passed away after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage while on stage during a performance in Vancouver.

It also follows the recent premiere of the music video for Laura Palmer's Prom on Much Music. The video was shot in Abbotsford last summer and features an appearance by Clifford.

"We've experienced 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," continues the online message.

It added that they will be stopping for a while, after seven years together, to work on "who we are as people."

They also asked for people to make a donation to a foundation set up in Clifford's name, http://devonrbclifford.com.

The original group was made up of M.E.I., W.J. Mouat and Langley Fine Arts School graduates.

Becky Ninkovic was on vocals, Krista Loewen was on keyboards before she departed last year following Clifford's death, and Derek Adam played guitar.

Last year, Robert Andow was added on synthesizer and Al Boyle on drums.

The name was also shortened, with We Say Die! removed from the end of the title.

Since its inception, the group has released three albums.

Over the past year, the band has also grown in popularity, with tour dates in Europe, Canada, the U.S. and plans to tour Asia in the works.

Last summer, YSP returned home with a performance at Jam in Jubilee, an outdoor concert in Jubilee Park.

The group was also nominated for a Polaris award, and won the Rock Recording of the Year award during the 2010 Western Canadian Music Awards, which was dedicated to Clifford and Loewen.