HIATUS KAIYOTE

Hiatus Kaiyote are future soul. Based in Melbourne, the four-piece fuses neo-soul, hip-hop and electronic beats along with flavours of Latin, jazz and opera, all presented with a cinematic sheen. The band formed in mid-2011, and ever since, they have been racking up accolades, including album of the week on Gilles Peterson’s show on BBC Music 6, and props from luminaries such as Eyrkah Badu, Questlove, Shafiq Husayn, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, James Poyser, Pharaoh Monch and Jean Grae. Their debut release, Tawk Tomahawk, peaked in the Top 10 played Albums on KCRW in June and July, 2012. The band has shared bills with Brainfeeder Records artists, Taylor McFerrin, Lapalux and oOoOO, Warp legends Chris Clark and Harmonic 313, sound genius Robin Fox. They are playing at Meridith Music Festival (Dec 2012) Peats Ridge Festival (Dec 2012) Perth International Arts Festival (Feb 2013) and SXSW (USA March 2013) as well as appeared at Woodford Folk Festival (2011/12) and The Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2012). Led by enigmatic songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Nai Palm, who has created intricate compositions, rich with colour and mystery, both of this world and of worlds unseen, demonstrating compositional and performance abilities that are well beyond her 23 years. Rounding out the band’s line-up is three of Melbourne's finest and most versatile musician/ producers. Keyboardist Simon Mavin, is an established player in the jazz, soul and Latin scenes, who has appeared at one time or another backing international artists including Syl Johnson and Booker T. Jones, and played keys for Australia’s largest dub-reggae group, The Red Eyes Australia’s. He is currently playing with the world-renowned soul group The Bamboos. Paul Bender on bass, laptop and guitar is a graduate of University of Miami’s prestigious jazz program, and was a key part of that city’s indie, experimental and improvised music scenes, with a passion for stank-funk basslines. Drummer Perrin Moss is a powerhouse of beats both jilted and slick and an experienced MC, producer, percussionist and DJ in his own right. These three have been able to fully realize Nai Palm’s songwriting in ways she never imagined. Released in April, 2012, TAWK TOMAHAWK is the Hiatus Kaiyote’s debut. The 10 track EP, almost all of which was recorded and mixed in the band’s home in Melbourne, showcases the breadth of the band’s expertise as musicians and attention to detail in the complex arrangements. Ultimately, through the musicians’ symbiosis, they have created an innovative and rare sound, unique in every way. Adding to the excitement is the fact that the band has already sold copies of their EP in the thousands with no marketing budge, topping Bandcamp R&B sales. Hiatus Kaiyote has already achieved big successes from sold out performances (400+) in Melbourne to upcoming festival dates throughout Australia in fall, 2012, to the worldwide group of fans that are amassing exponentially in their support. When you add in the transcendent music the band is creating for their follow-up LP, expect to hear a lot more from this group. MEDIA QUOTES "That's it I'm done. In love" - Erykah Badu "Oh yes!…hope they come to Europe soon, because the live show looks amazing."—Gilles Peterson "oh. my. gawd. this. is. DOOOOOOOOOOOPE. this coming from a cat who drowns in music everyday. so yes im willing to give someone the '"COTDAMNY!!!" co-sign' knowing there's gonna be "hey how come you don't rave about my music that way?"---as in yes four times a week i get a "hey can you tweet about my project?" "help me out"---which makes it awkward (not because i don't like said project) but if i tweeted about every project asked of me then my account would have 0 value. so most of the time i tweet funny stuff and usually leave music alone. but once in a blue moon something moves me so much im willing to alienate friends when an UNDENIABLE project comes along. THIS is that project." Ahmir ?uestlove Thompson – The Roots - 26/9/12 “Hiatus Kaiyote is different than most anything you have ever heard, that’s a definite”—Revivalist “Soul music mixed with off kilted drums, sound effects, surreal vocals warm and fuzzy rhodes and a wonderful texture. The vocalist Nai Palm draws you in with her fusion of jazz vocals and harmonies. It’s very Little Dragon friendly with a tropical twists and dirty beats.”—Anthony Valadez KCRW "You don't hear stuff like this...ever. It's pretty incredible not to mention unique and mind-bending"—Dave Ruby Howe – Triple J "I can't get enough of these guys, Loving the experimental beats, lush strings, and low-slung Saturday afternoon soul on Hiatus Kaiyote's latest album 'Tawk Tomahawk.”—Dan Digs KBCS FM “This ten-track debut is ambitious, enigmatic and enthralling”—Inpress Magazine "Wow. Hiatus Kaiyote is that ish. Their debut release Tawk Tomahawk dropped just over a week ago and it is mind bendingly good”—Giant Step “This is def one of my fav acts in the world right now… music is beautiful and the voice reminds me a bit of Fatima’s voice.”—Lefto –(DJ of the Year 2011- Gilles Peterson) “Tawk Tomahawk never settles in one style – ranging from soul, experimental beats, jazz and glitch-hop it stuns a listener with almost cinematic style”—Acclaim Magazine "Nai Palm is an entirely different creature; twitchy, irrepressible and nebbish, cool and talented, leaping about the stage as she shoots golden awesome from her mic and fingertips. She’s like an unholy blend of Cody Chestnutt and Monkey Magic."—Beat Magazine Live Review “Right from the outset, it was easy to see why they’ve been receiving so much praise in the international press. Front-woman Nai Palm is a firecracker, and her smooth vocal work sensually floats over the music -…She has a commanding presence that is part siren, part crazy bitch, and thrilling to watch just to see what she’ll do next…. their energetic performance raised the roof off the Evelyn, which didn’t seem big enough to contain the vibes they were emitting. Their complex arrangements were well executed live, as were the backing vocals and their onstage moves. These guys are the real thing,”—AU REVIEW Live Review