Melbourne Soul Outfit Hiatus Kaiyote Debuts “Breathing Underwater”

I first took stock of the Melbourne-based Hiatus Kaiyote when they landed on the cover of Wax Poetics a little over a year ago. The soul quartet are rightfully academic about their fusion sound, and BBC's Gilles Peterson gave his hearty blessing—soon they'd even snagged a Grammy nod. On "Breathing Underwater," ideas and influences gel even more fluidly than earlier works. The single "is homage to the different examples of love and compassion in the world that are beyond the limitation of romance," frontwoman Nai Palm told FADER. "I used arid imagery to depict this—for example, the Jericho rose, an African resurrection plant, can survive dormant without water for over a hundred years. If it rains, it can bloom within minutes showcasing the immense power of nurture." Still, for all the symbolism, Palm admits HK is still about the notes: "It's also a tribute to my musical hero Stevie Wonder." Choose Your Weapon drops on May 5th via Flying Buddha/Sony Music Masterworks, catch the crew on tour at dates below.

Mar 18 Austin, TX - KCRW at The Parish*
Mar 19 Austin, TX - YouTube at Copper Tank Brewing Co.*
Mar 20 Austin, TX - Aussie BBQ at Brush Square Park*
Mar 20 Austin, TX - Sound Sessions at The Tap Room*
Mar 21 Austin, TX - Okayplayer at Bungalow*
May 05 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
May 07 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
May 08 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
May 09 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
May 11 Chicago, IL - Double Door
May 12 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
May 14 Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
May 17 Seattle, WA - Neumo's
May 19 San Francisco, CA - The Independent
May 20 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
May 21 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room
May 22 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues Voodoo Room
May 23 Las Vegas, NV - Insert Coin(s)
May 26 Austin, TX - The Parish
May 27 Dallas, TX - Trees
May 29 Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
May 31 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
Jun 03 Providence, RI - The Met
*indicates SXSW shows