Kristin Hayter To Call Off Lingua Ignota in 2023

Kristin Hayter, the artist behind the Lingua Ignota moniker, has poured her all into her musical project. Releasing music that sheds the deepest trauma has become unsustainable for the American multi-instrumentalist. 

Revealing the news on her Instagram account, Hayter wrote, "From the heart. These upcoming dates, and a few things in early 2023, will be the last times I perform this music."

She continued, "I have so much gratitude for what has been afforded me, and the beauty of the community that has gathered around what I do. Committing myself to this project and all that has come with it has also been acutely painful. This time last year I was non-functional. Then, out of desperation, I gave myself permission to heal for the first time.

"Every day I do conscious, active work to stay present — where I am safe, rather than mired in my past — where I was not. I will not allow my wounds to destroy me. I want to live a healthy, happy life and have changed much in myself and my surroundings to bring light in," she said. As such, Hayter's art must change with her.

"It is not healthy for me to relive my worst experiences over and over through LI, and my healing has finally allowed me to *feel* how painful that is. I am taking a new direction with my music and I am looking forward to the future. I want to let you know in light of some (very cool) things that will be announced soon that I am retiring this catalog, this pain.  

"This era is over for me. I will give my final performances of this music everything I have, and I look forward to the actual great pleasure of interpreting hymns for you. Revelations is upon us. Gentle friends, it is ok to let go. Thank you for sharing the dark with me, it is time to move forward. - K"

Hayter's songs as Lingua Ignota are "survivor anthems" - as a survivor of domestic and sexual abuse, she channelled her experiences into her lyrics. 

Her 2019 album, Caligula, was inspired by misogyny, abuse, vengeance and violence and featured elements of opera, metal, and noise music. Her latest album, 2021's Sinner Get Ready, an unsettlingly beautiful record, signalled a left-turn from Caligula, highlighting pianos, classical, and Appalachian music instead. She was due to perform at Dark Mofo festival this June but cancelled her appearance after testing positive for COVID-19.

In another statement shared with Pitchfork, Hayter said: 

"I have been making a lot of changes in my life, and my music needs to change in tandem. So while I may continue as Lingua Ignota—if I can transform the project in a way that makes sense for my health and healing—I will be retiring all music I've made up till now after my upcoming tour and a few unannounced special performances in spring of 2023. This music has been excruciating to perform, and I know that what is healthiest for me is to stop performing it. I am proud of what I have accomplished so far and I look forward to what the future holds, I am in no way leaving music behind and will continue to build this world, but this world will look different."