Travis Morrison Announces Retirement, Social Networking Aspirations

Published at 3:00 PM on July 8, 2009

By Ani Vrabel

Photo by David Holloway

Google Travis Morrison these days, and the first thing that will pop up is a site simply titled "RETIRED." Yes, friends, according to the Web site of former the Dismemberment Plan frontman/solo artist, the man has taken himself out of the game. "No shows, no records, no bands," the page reads. "Just relaxing in Brooklyn. Befriend me on facebook. I'm so nice!"

Still, we think it might be a little early to really mourn the loss of Morrison in the entertainment world—these days, celebrity "retirement" is a trend certainly deserving of the air-quotes that often accompany it. Not all that long ago, 50 Cent threatened retirement if Kanye West out-sold him (which Kanye did—though Fiddy didn't follow through). Then rumors swirled about West himself leaving hip-hop—and were quelled by 808s and Heartbreak. Most recently, Trent Reznor had a short-lived Internet hiatus, and frankly, we've lost track of how many artists have embarked on false farewell tours or announced they would distance themselves from the industry.

But if Morrison's announcement is for real, then we really do wish him—and all his new Facebook friends—the very best.

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