Welp, That’s Over: Makeshift Shelters Has Broken Up

By Ron Knox

makeshift-shelters

“We’re breaking up because whatever.”

And with that explanation from Makeshift Shelters bassist Phil Edfors, one of D.C.’s most promising bands has dissolved.

Makeshift Shelters, the praiseworthy pop-punk four piece that just this year released its debut LP, Something So Personal, to considerable critical acclaim, has called off a string of dates planned for this summer — including a mainstage slot at this year’s In It Together Fest in D.C.

The band’s prospects for staying together seemed tenuous: Singer Ella Boissonnault moved to Boston last year to attend Berklee College of Music, where she’s double majoring. Edfors and guitarist Andrew Clark talked about moving to the Northeast to focus on the band, but both are now planning to attend Husson University in Bangor, Maine.

Plus, Edfors writes in an email, “money sucks, s**t is stressful and we no longer feel a connection to our music.”

So it goes. Another band seemingly on the precipice of bigger things — with a new record deal and reported interest from even bigger places, including indie tastemaker Topshelf Records — is no more.

Right before the band announced its split, it debuted a music video for the song “Lighter Fluid.” Check it out below and remember the good days.