It’s been a long time between drinks for Hiatus Kaiyote, but the Melbourne neo-soul outfit have put an end to years of silence with the announcement of their long-awaited third album, Mood Valiant.
Detailed today, Mood Valiant is set to arrive on June 25th, more than six years on from the release of the critically-acclaimed Choose Your Weapon.
The group explained in a statement that the record’s story is a lengthy one, having been in the making since the release of their last album. With music beginning on the road, 2018 brought with it the completion of most backing tracks.
Unfortunately, frontwoman Naomi “Nai Palm” Saalfield was diagnosed with breast cancer around this time, resulting in a swift return to Australia for a life-saving mastectomy. During her recovery, the group returned to their work with altered perspectives, with lyrics written before Nai Palm’s illness taking on a strangely prescient quality.
“When you think your life is going to be taken away from you, it makes you think about who you are,” she explains. “I guess after the breast cancer scare I decided that I needed to prove to life that the offering I have is genuine. My only wish is to live and offer my experience of time and beauty.”
Alongside the announcement of the new record, Hiatus Kaiyote have also shared lead single “Get Sun”. Featuring legendary Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai, a trip to Rio de Janeiro in late 2019 saw the group collaborate with the iconic artist, shifting the entire vibe of the whole record.
“We had recorded the song ‘Get Sun’, and it already sounded good,” explains bassist Paul Bender. “We had no idea what he had written for it. When Verocai fired up his horn and string sections, it was a release for everyone. Tears were running down my face.”
“Verocai is such a lovely man,” adds percussionist Perrin Moss. “The engineer never stopped smiling, the set-up was beautiful, so after Arthur finished, we asked if we could use the studio for the rest of the evening.”
While Mood Valiant will be released in late June, Hiatus Kaiyote have also unveiled a run of album tour dates for later in the year, with full details available below.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s “Get Sun” is out now, while Mood Valiant is released on June 25th via Brainfeeder/Ninja Tune, with pre-saves available now.
Hiatus Kaiyote Mood Valiant Album Tour
Friday, July 2nd
The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
Thursday, September 30th
UC, Canberra, ACT
Friday, October 1st
Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
Saturday, October 2nd
The Enmore Theatre, Sydney, NSW
Thursday, October 7th
Astor, Perth, WA
Saturday, October 9th
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, SA
Friday, October 15th
Tivoli, Brisbane, QLD
Tickets on sale from 9am local time on Friday, March 26th
Presale begins 9am local time on Wednesday, March 24th and runs for 24 hours
Also appearing at…
Thursday, April 1st & Saturday, April 3rd
Bluesfest, Byron Bay, NSW
Sunday, May 2nd
April Sun Festival, Melbourne, VIC
Nai Palm also performing at…
Saturday, March 20th
Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne, VIC
Friday, April 9th & Saturday, April 10th
Mary’s Underground, Sydney, NSW
