Hiatus Kaiyote: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Abby O'Neill | August 4, 2021
Melbourne alt-soul collective Hiatus Kaiyote tricked out its avant-garde recording studio, The Villa, and lathered it with props: a miniature desk, alien costumes, and loads of furry friends. Frontwoman Nai Palm shared with me the impetus behind the design. "I'm a treasure hunter at heart," she said, "and the beautiful thing about dressing a set with sentimental artifacts from my house is that I feel super comfy to perform." Every intricate detail of this Tiny Desk (home) concert evokes feelings of coziness, psychedelia and joyful performance art.

Launching into this brilliant performance with "Sip Into Something Soft," Hiatus takes us on a sweet and sultry journey through a host of selections from their new album, Mood Valiant. On "Rose Water," the tightness of the band (comprised of Paul Bender, Simon Mavin and Perrin Moss, and joined by their longtime backing vocalists) is on full display.

Hiatus Kaiyote came onto the scene with their debut album, Tawk Tomahawk, back in 2012 and created a groundswell of buzz among global music heads. Since then, they've gone on to win varying international awards and were the first Australian group to get nominated in the R&B category at the Grammys for best R&B performance in 2013. This uber-fun and exhilarating set will appease diehards and new fans alike.

SET LIST
"Sip Into Something Soft"
"Rose Water"
"And We Go Gentle"
"Get Sun"
"Blood And Marrow"

MUSICIANS
Nai Palm: vocals, guitar
Paul Bender: bass
Simon Mavin: keys
Perrin Moss: drums, percussion, vibraphone
Alejandro 'Silentjay' Abapo: vocals, keys
Laura Christoforidis: vocals
Jace Excell: vocals

CREDITS
Video: Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, Nick Mckk, Leah Oborn
Audio: Phil Noy, Haima Marriott
Extras: Marissa Matar, Sam Kuzich (aliens); Daniela Lucchetti, Matt Kelly (birds); Kiki Megumi (mothman)

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Abby O'Neill
Video Producer: Kara Frame
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Maia Stern, Gabrielle Pierre
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#hiatuskaiyote #tinydesk #nprmusic

[msullivan]

I think the entire Tiny Desk community has been waiting for this one for a very long time. Thanks guys, for being some of the most inspirational artists I've ever known.

[abatesers]

so glad Nai was able to beat cancer! so refreshing to hear them back together!

[frankimatawe]

shoutout to the background vocalists, they really compliment Nai’s vocals and add an entirely new layer to the songs! i always love hearing them in live performances as well as on Nai’s Needle Paw album.

[EricaSwitzer]

Nai Palm simply possesses one of the best voices in the world. Absolute chills.

[janiceetienne]

I also like how the singer is not visually in the middle. It’s letting the music showcase itself.

[tevin]

after YEARS we’ve finally arrived. s/o to the loyalists who have been here since tawk tomahawk

[georgiesweet]

I swear to u now, hiatus changed my ears. I don’t listen to music the same. thank u for everything; to make music with such clarity yet such freedom just hits so different.

[Jackmitchhell]

The drummer is so unbelievably talented

[kurlykels]

Let me tell you, I literally went through a phase where I only commented for Hiatus Kaiyote to be on here on every Tiny Desk video😂. So to see the day come that they actually are!! I feel like this a dream come true, it doesn’t even feel real. I am so grateful. Thank you NPR❤️🙏🏽

[urimartinez]

SHOUT OUT to the person who said "Why not try these at home"
Seeing how each artist lay out their vibe is a whole mood

[candacethecreative]

Back in 2015 I stood at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD for hours, 7.5 months pregnant, to watch Hiatus Kaiyote + it was worth every cramp 😂 absolute magic ✨

[muso]

nai palm’s voice is one of those things that feel like a new experience each time you encounter it.
the band, the backing vocalists, the stage and their friends made this tiny desk such a pleasure to watch.
thank you .

[vladislavtimakov]

They are just perfect. And Nai is genius, wе all so lucky, that she defeated cancer to continue her art.

[lelowhatsgood]

😭😭😭😭😭 CRYING. this is so magical. literally the coolest band ever.

[lamikiminach]

omg. I wish they would’ve done “Stone and Lavender” or “Red Room” too but I’m so impressed by the musicianship of the bandmembers and wow the background singers were amazing too.

[hankleepixain]

Only God knows how many times i already listened to the new album

[SoulSacrificeBoy]

Nubya Garcia: "I'm going to make the most aesthetic Tiny Desk set ever!"

Hiatus Kaiyote: "hold my

[s.n.]

6:48 "it's about moths, and why they like light, and why they like ponies" UUGHHHH THE WAY NAI SAID/SANG THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL

[aristonmokaya]

Concert is an understatement. Feeling more “Soul-healing Acid Trip” vibes I love it

[Missjunebugfreak]

Mood Valiant is one of the best albums of the year. So infectiously beautiful.