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Hiatus Kaiyote: The Australian Band That Took Neo-Soul to New Heights with Tawk Tomahawk
Hiatus Kaiyote is a four-piece band from Melbourne, Australia, that blends elements of soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop and electronic music. Their debut album, Tawk Tomahawk, released in 2013, was a critical and commercial success, earning them a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance for the song "Nakamarra".
The album showcases the band's eclectic and innovative style, featuring complex rhythms, lush harmonies, intricate melodies and expressive vocals. The band members are Nai Palm (vocals, guitar), Paul Bender (bass, synth), Perrin Moss (drums, percussion) and Simon Mavin (keyboards, synth). They wrote, produced and engineered the album themselves, with some additional help from Damien Charles, Nick Herrera and Phil Noy.
The album consists of 10 tracks that range from the soulful and smooth "Mobius Streak" and "The World It Softly Lulls" to the upbeat and funky "Leap Frog" and "Lace Skull". The album also features some experimental and psychedelic touches, such as the opera vocals on "Malika", the animal sounds on "Ocelot" and the ambient interludes of "Rainbow Rhodes" and "Sphynx Gate". The album culminates with the stunning "Nakamarra", a tribute to the Aboriginal people of Australia, featuring a guest verse from American rapper Q-Tip.
Tawk Tomahawk is a remarkable debut that showcases Hiatus Kaiyote's originality and talent. The album has been praised by critics and fans alike, as well as by fellow musicians such as Erykah Badu, Questlove, Prince and Stevie Wonder. The album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates soulful and adventurous music.
Hiatus Kaiyote's success with Tawk Tomahawk led them to sign with Sony Music and Flying Buddha, a label founded by producer Salaam Remi. The album was re-released in 2013 with a new cover art and a bonus track, "Live It Up". The band also embarked on a world tour, performing at festivals and venues across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. They also collaborated with artists such as Taylor McFerrin, Mark de Clive-Lowe and Kirkis.
In 2015, the band released their second album, Choose Your Weapon, which expanded on their musical vision and explored themes such as love, spirituality, identity and mortality. The album received rave reviews from critics and fans, and earned them another Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance for the song "Breathing Underwater". The band continued to tour and collaborate with other artists, such as Anderson .Paak, Robert Glasper and Kendrick Lamar.
Hiatus Kaiyote is currently working on their third album, which is expected to be released in 2022. The band has shared some snippets of their new music on social media, and has performed some new songs live. The band has also hinted at some possible collaborations with artists such as Thundercat, Flying Lotus and Sampa the Great. The band's fans are eagerly awaiting their new album, which promises to be another masterpiece of neo-soul.