Warner Chappell Music has entered into an exclusive administration agreement with the Australian band, Hiatus Kaiyote, covering all past and future work.
Hiatus Kaiyote consists of Naomi “Nai Palm” Saalfield (vocals, guitar), Paul Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keyboard) and Perrin Moss (drums, percussion).
Their second album, Choose Your Weapon, debuted in the Top 25 on the Australian Albums chart in 2015 and landed on the Billboard 200.
Breathing Underwater, their hit single from the album, was also in the running for Best R&B Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards.
The Melbourne band members met in Australia and officially formed Hiatus Kaiyote in 2011.
The group released their debut album, Tawk Tomahawk in 2012 which made an impression on artists like Questlove, Q-Tip, Animal Collective, and Dirty Projectors.
In 2013, Hiatus Kaiyote’s Nakamarra (ft. Q-Tip), was nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.
Shortly after, the band kicked off their first-ever Australian tour in 2014 as part of Sonic Architects’ National Conference.
Hiatus Kaiyote soon grabbed the attention of Drake, who used a sample of their song Building a Ladder at the beginning of Free Smoke – the opening song for his album/hybrid playlist More Life.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z followed, using a part of The World It Softly Lulls on the single 713 from their joint album, Everything Is Love.
Additionally, the group’s frontwoman, Nai Palm, released her own solo debut, Needle Paw in 2017 and went on to collaborate with Drake on Scorpion in 2018.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s new album is expected to be released later this year.
“Their unique sound and songs have also captivated top artists and music lovers alike around the world.”
Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot, said: “I’ve always been a big fan of Hiatus Kaiyote’s wonderful music from afar.
“Their unique sound and songs have also captivated top artists and music lovers alike around the world.
“We’re proud to represent their work and partner with them as they prepare to release their highly anticipated new album.”
“It’s amazing to partner with Guy, Ryan and Brandra who are huge advocates of songwriters and really understand what we’re trying to do with our music.”
Hiatus Kaiyote
Hiatus Kaiyote added: “It’s amazing to partner with Guy, Ryan and Brandra who are huge advocates of songwriters and really understand what we’re trying to do with our music.
“Every song we make is a little world and contains a multitude of influences. Although some may refer to our songs as R&B in one moment, and electronica or proggy-tropicalia in another, we don’t think about sounds in terms of genres, but look at them more from a cinematic way.
“We’re always trying to get to that moment where people are overwhelmed in joy, in confusion, in sadness, or in the magnitude of emotion or disbelief – as well as sometimes feeling all of these simultaneously. We like to call this ‘wondercore,’ and that’s what we’re always aiming for as a group.”
“Their timeless, futuristic sound transcends genres, and we’re thrilled to welcome the band to Warner Chappell.”
Ryan Press, Warner Chappell Music
Warner Chappell Music President of A&R, US, Ryan Press, and Senior Director of A&R, Brandra Ringo, added: “We’ve been following Hiatus Kaiyote’s journey as artists and songwriters for a while now, and when we first heard their music, both of us felt an instant connection with it.
“Their timeless, futuristic sound transcends genres, and we’re thrilled to welcome the band to Warner Chappell.”Music Business Worldwide
