Nai Palm: It was still kind of hectic the second time around but at least we had an idea of what to expect culture wise, so we were able to acclimatise a little better.īender: Right now we’re taking a much-needed break after touring extensively this year.
How did it feel to get nominated for a second time? It came as a shock to us because it’s not something that ever crosses our minds when we are crafting. What did it mean to the band to be nominated for a Grammy?īender: We were not prepared for it at all. It’s more like a creative agreement, so working on each piece together we can push each other creatively and bounce parts back and forth until it feels right. I write the lyrics, and generally will bring that in to the guys and we will work on the music together. Nai Palm: The creative process of the song-writing is always changing, but in saying that we all have our own roles within that process. How does the band's creative process help to fuse together so many disparate influences? Nature is always a big source of inspiration as well as the experiences of connecting with other humans on a deeper level. Nai Palm: Recently, all over North America, Europe, the UK, Japan, and a little touring in our homeland too. Where has the band been touring recently and has any place in particular influenced their idea or experience of music? We had a connection the first time we played together. Perrin joined after meeting Nai at a café who ended up bringing Simon along, as we needed a keys player for a gig.
She wanted to get a band together so we began working together after that. Paul Bender: A few years ago in Fitzroy I saw Nai play a solo gig and had a chat with her after the show. We chatted to Paul Bender and Nai Palm about where the band has come from and where it’s headed. The band was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Grammy in 2013 for their song Nakamarra and again in 2016 for Breathing Underwater. Now you can watch their secret performance in the Opera House’s Drama Theatre in the fourth instalment in our Nooks & Crannies series, an innovative collaboration between the Sydney Opera House and Intel.įormed in 2011, Hiatus Kaiyote comprises Nai Palm (vocals/guitar), Paul Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keyboard/synthesizer) and Perrin ‘Pez’ Moss (drums/percussion). Melbourne future-soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote electrified the Concert Hall at Vivid LIVE in May 2016.