Hiatus Kaiyote are an Australian neo-soul group from Melbourne, active since 2011. The four-piece line-up is Nai Palm, Paul Bender, Simon Mavin and Perrin Moss, and they sometimes perform with three additional backing singers.

Sound and style

The group describe a sound built from future soul, neo soul, experimental R&B and jazz, with elements of future beats, hip-hop, Latin music, dubstep and opera. Their music is shaped by Nai Palm’s songwriting and vocals, together with the instrumental roles of Simon Mavin on keys and synthesizers, Paul Bender on bass, laptop and guitar, and Perrin Moss on drums, percussion and electronics.

Members

Nai Palm

Nai Palm writes the group’s songs and sings and plays guitar and keys. Her vocals are described as central to the group’s sound.

Paul Bender

Paul Bender plays bass, laptop and guitar. He comes from the indie, experimental and improvised music scenes in Miami, Florida, and brings a strong funk influence to the group’s bass lines.

Simon Mavin

Simon Mavin plays keys, synths and electronics. He has performed with The Bamboos, Whitesploitation, The Red Eyes and The Firemen, and brings experience with synthesizers, keyboards and Latin and jazz structures.

Perrin Moss

Perrin Moss plays drums, percussion and electronics. He is also an MC, producer, percussionist and turntablist, and was formerly the frontman of Blue Mountains hip-hop group Jumbledat. He also collaborates with Thundamentals.

Career

Hiatus Kaiyote begin with a Tuesday residency at The Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy, Melbourne, which extends from four weeks to four months. They then play dates in Brisbane and Sydney as part of their debut tour, which supports the release of their EP. They also share bills with Taylor McFerrin, Chris Clark, Harmonic 313, Robin Fox, Lapalux and oOoOO, and perform at Woodford Folk Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and The Bohemian Masquerade Ball.

Line-up and instrumentation

The group’s sound is held together by Nai Palm’s vocals and melodies, Simon Mavin’s synthesizers and keyboards, Perrin Moss’s drum patterns and rhythm work, and Paul Bender’s bass guitar and sample-based approach.