HIATUS KAIYOTE: GENRE FLUID
Hiatus Kaiyote is a four-piece indie future soul band based in Melbourne that occasionally performs with three more backup vocalists. Their music is a mash-up of futuristic rhythms, hip-hop, and soul, with hints of Latin, dubstep, and opera. Since their formation in 2021, Hiatus Kaiyote has already shared bills with Warp legends "Harmonic 313 and Chris Clark," Brainfeeder's "Lapalux and oOoOO," and Stones Throw Records "Taylor McFerrin," and sound genius "Robin Fox," as well as playing bills at Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, and headlining at the final The Bohemian Masquerade Ball since forming.
Hiatus Kaiyote consists of drummer Perrin Moss, bassist Paul Bender, Keyboardist Simon Mavin, and lead singer Nai Palm. Nai Palm creates sophisticated melodies rich in color and mystery. She is backed by three of Melbourne's best and most varied musicians/producers. Simon Mavin, on keyboards, has performed with bands such as funk giants "The Firemen," reggae masters "The Red Eyes," rock jazz freakout crew "Whitesploitation," and Australia's best soul group, "The Bamboos." On bass, laptop, and guitar, Paul Bender is a graduate of Miami's indie, improvisational, experimental music scenes, yet he has a penchant for funk basslines. Lastly, Perrin Moss is a powerhouse of jilted and sleek rhythms and an accomplished turntablist, MC, drummer, and producer. He is the former vocalist of the ten-piece Blue Mountains hip-hop ensemble "Jumbledat" and has teamed up with other groups like "Thundamentals."
In their short time together, Hiatus Kaiyote has combined a distinct tone fronted by Nai Palm's creative melodic work and smoke-filled vocals, Paul Bender's thumping basslines and sampling genius, Perrin Moss's loud, swanky rhythms and drumbeats, and Simon Marvin's exceptional know-how of jazz and Latin structures, keyboards, and synths.
Their music reflects the band members' respect for one another's abilities. The close friendship they have guided every note on their albums and the razor-sharp accuracy of their playing is scrutinized for everyone to hear. Hiatus Kaiyote maintains its recording process in a small circle. However, when Nai Palm recommended enlisting the famed composer and arranger Arthur Verocai to help with the album, the group couldn't say no.
Their latest album, "Mood Valiant," demonstrates the band's power as bandmates and as close friends. Their ship had been rocked, but they would not abandon anyone: they had to ride out the storm together. Now that the sun is shining, it will be a wild party when their ship docks. That said, the band's sound is difficult to describe. So tricky that the band created their name for it: Wondercore. The ideal term to characterize their daring, nuanced, and vibrant sound. They're like a star-studded Power Rangers team, each pulling power from their unique colors and inspirations to help them transform into this massive, city-destroying supergroup. Their charm is found in the difference between each of their sound palettes. Whereas other bands may conflict over artistic differences, Hiatus Kaiyote embraces the peculiarities and intricacies that make each of their unique styles different from other band members.
