Universal Music Publishing Australia today announced that internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated group Hiatus Kaiyote have signed an exclusive Australia and New Zealand publishing deal. The announcement comes in conjunction with the release of the group’s brand new single ‘Get Sun’.
Formed in 2011 in mid-northern Melbourne, Hiatus Kaiyote consists of band members Naomi ‘Nai Palm’ Saalfield on vocals and guitar, Paul Bender on bass and cello, Simon Mavin on keyboards and Perrin Moss on drums and percussion. Their work has brought them critical acclaim from by the likes of Gilles Peterson, Prince, Pharrell Williams, Erykah Badu, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Q-Tip, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors, Common, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more.
Their sophomore album Choose Your Weapon placed in the US Top 200 and single ‘Breathing Underwater’ was Grammy nominated for Best R&B Performance. The band’s 2013 track ‘Nakamarra (ft. Q-Tip)’ was also nominated in the same category.
‘Building a Ladder’ was sampled by Drake in his track ‘Free Smoke’ and Nai Palm collaborated with Drake on his 2018 album Scorpion. Beyoncé and Jay-Z re-worked the band’s ‘The World It Softly Lulls’ on track “713” from album ‘Everything Is Love’. Hiatus Kaiyote is also featured on Kendrick Lamar’s closing track on Damn, and have been sampled by Chance The Rapper, Anderson .Paak and Wale, among others.
In making the announcement, Arwen Hunt, Vice President, Creative/A&R at UMPG Australia & New Zealand, said: “This is one the most exciting signings we’ve ever made. I’ve been listening to Hiatus Kaiyote since being introduced to them by Gilles Peterson back in 2013. They are music royalty to our entire team so we, of course, jumped at the opportunity to work with them. We’re immensely proud to partner with Nai, Perrin, Simon and Paul, not to mention their exceptional managers Si and Scott, and to represent their extraordinary art, both existing and new masterpieces.”
In a joint statement, Hiatus Kaiyote said: "Super excited to start working with Arwen, Nora Wever and the rest of the UMPG team. It has been lovely meeting them all, looking forward to 2021 and beyond!”
Hiatus Kaiyote joins UMP Australia’s roster that includes Alex The Astronaut, Billy Davis, C.W Stoneking, Cap Carter, Cloves, Devin Abrams, Drax Project, DNA, Ecca Vandal, Gang of Youths, Guy Sebastian, Hauskey, Jessica Mauboy, Josh Fountain, JOY., Lakyn, Lime Cordiale, Michael Fatkin, M-Phazes, Odette, PJ Harding, Planet Vegeta, Robinson, Ruel, Sons Of The East, Styalz Fuego, Timmy Trumpet, The Chats, Tora, Vera Blue, Vetta Borne, Woodes and many more.