North Carolina’s IRATA has officially had to pull out of the entire tour supporting Kylesa following several delays and complications in the recovery of drummer Jason Ward following his hospitalization due to a severe, random leg infection early into the trek. While the band had hoped to re-join the tour package for the remaining dates, it is no longer an option.

Jason Ward has issued a statement on behalf of IRATA about the situation: “I wanted to send my deepest apologies for having to cancel our part in the tour. I know that both Kylesa and Stu at United Talent went out on a limb to even put our band on the tour to begin with. I don’t know what was worse; having to deal with the infection in my leg or having to miss this opportunity to tour with the best. I never thought in a million years that I would be taken out by a random, severe leg infection that seemingly came from nowhere; I don’t understand it myself and I am still trying to work through it. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to try this again soon! Until then I am going to continue to rest while starting to work on another tour to support the Sweet Loris release. Thanks again to everyone!”

The tour continues through early next week, headlined by Kylesa with support from Inter Arma and Indian Handcrafts. New IRATA tour dates will be confirmed and announced in the near future.

IRATA‘s groove-laden new album, Sweet Loris, was just released on CD and digitally Kylesa’s Retro Futurist label on October 9th, the record recorded by the band at The Jam Room, produced by Phillip Cope and engineered by Cope and Zac Thomas, and completed with artwork by Santos and design by Phillip Yeary.

Stream IRATA’s Sweet Loris via Soundcloud HERE and Bandcamp HERE.

Sweet Loris is available for purchase on CD right HERE and digitally through all prime digital outlets including Bandcamp HERE. A confirmed street date for the vinyl along with preorders will be released in the coming days.

IRATA Tour Dates:
11/21/2015 The Maywood – Raleigh NC w/ Castle, Bedowyn