Hiatus Kaiyote – Tawk Tomahawk (2012)

HiatusKaiyote 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 rackingup 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.

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.