Hiatus Kaiyote: ’Nakamarra,’ Live On Soundcheck

Hear the entire interview and session: Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Hiatus Kaiyote makes a sort of enigmatic, genre-defying music that the band calls “future soul,“ a fun blend of electronic sounds, African grooves, silky smooth neo-soul, and hip-hop beats. (Think Erykah Badu mixed with J Dilla mixed with Oumou Sangaré mixed with Flying Lotus.) The band formed in 2011, and after a ton of SXSW showcases, touring in the U.S., and even a guest spot at Brooklyn Bowl during Questlove’s DJ set, Hiatus Kaiyote self-released its debut Tawk Tomahawk in 2012 and re-released it this past July. The record is a progressive collection of R&B and jazz-infused songs -- like “Mobius Streak“ and “Nakamarra“ -- that showcases lovely instrumentation and singer Nai Palm’s alluring, gorgeous voice soaring above the mix. Watch the band play “Nakamarra“ in the Soundcheck studio. For m