Hiatus Kaiyote

Hiatus Kaiyote is a seminal four-piece from Melbourne, Australia, that redefined the boundaries of neo-soul and jazz fusion in the 2010s. Formed in 2011, the band is led by singer-songwriter Nai Palm, whose distinctive 'honey-velvet' vocals and intricate guitar work provide the emotional core for the band's technical explorations.

The rhythm section, comprised of Paul Bender, Simon Mavin, and Perrin Moss, is noted for its ability to execute complex polyrhythms and 'jilted' beats influenced by J Dilla and future-beats production. Their breakthrough album, 'Tawk Tomahawk', earned them a Grammy nomination, making them the first Australian act to be nominated in an R&B category. Their evolution through 'Choose Your Weapon' and 'Mood Valiant' shows a shift toward more cinematic, orchestral arrangements and field recordings while maintaining a core identity rooted in 'stank-funk' and psychedelic soul. Critically, they are viewed as a bridge between the traditional jazz world and the modern electronic/hip-hop landscape, influencing a generation of 'future soul' artists globally.