The Story
Hiatus Kaiyote formed in Melbourne in 2011: Nai Palm (Naomi Saalfield) on guitar and vocals, Paul Bender on bass, Simon Mavin on keys and Perrin Moss on drums. Their self-described 'multi-dimensional, polyrhythmic gangster shit' fuses neo-soul, jazz, funk and electronic music into a sound that made them one of Australia's most internationally beloved exports.
Debut album Tawk Tomahawk (2013) carried the single 'Nakamarra', which earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance — making them the first Australian act nominated in an R&B category. 'Breathing Underwater', from the sprawling second album Choose Your Weapon (2015), was nominated in the same category two years later.
Mood Valiant (2021), featuring the Arthur Verocai collaboration 'Get Sun', brought a third Grammy nomination — Best Progressive R&B Album — and an NPR Tiny Desk (Home) concert filmed at their Melbourne studio, The Villa. Along the way their songs have been sampled by artists including Drake and Beyoncé & JAY-Z.
Their fourth album, Love Heart Cheat Code, arrived in June 2024, followed by tours across North America, Europe, Japan and Australia — including a 2025 stop at the Hollywood Bowl.
