After months of rumors and very little explanation, Joy Williams (one half of the duo The Civil Wars) has confirmed what most fans had already speculated. "John Paul [White] and I aren't speaking right now," she explained, only weeks ahead of their self-titled album's release date. And the future of the band? "The reality is I'm not even quite sure."

Williams explained in a new AP interview that even prior to their European tour, which was canceled midway through, the pair was dealing with enormous tension, which had been building for months. Despite multiple Grammy awards, incredible success and even Williams' maternity leave last summer, they eventually reached an impasse.

"It was getting close to impossible for us to perform together on stage, and nobody wants to see a show like that," Williams revealed. "I don't want to be on stage like that."

Nate Yetton, the singer's husband and the band's manager, also revealed that his marriage suffered as a result of everything going on in their lives.

Charlie Peacock, who produced the album and has served as a musical go-between for Williams and White, also called "absurd" the rumors that White has not been involved with the completion of the new record, noting that "John Paul does not want to talk, but he is very proud of the record ... I can guarantee you that this record would not be coming out if he were not proud of it."

Williams said that despite the band's "hiatus" status, she is moving forward and letting people "think what they think." She also explained that, contrary to Internet speculation, "This isn't some marketing ploy to make things more interesting for a second album."

The Civil Wars' self-titled sophomore record arrives Aug. 6.