Hiatus Kaiyote have shared their intoxicating and captivating new video for the effortless groove that is And We Go Gentle, directed by frequent collaborator Jeremy Koren, aka Grey Ghost (Get Sun and Canopic Jar). The Melbourne-based group have also shared their 2022 EU/UK tour dates, which will begin in Berlin on 29 September and take in Dublin, London and Paris before wrapping up in Barcelona on 18 October. Tickets are now on sale here.
The video for And We Go Gentle follows a light-seeking, iridescent moth who rides the streets in a mini-Jeep, frolicks around the lamp and chandelier wonderland of a lighting store, gets lit at the local bar, before stumbling drunkenly across a hidden, candle-lit room with a most attractive centerpiece. The silky, psychedelic soul soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment. Just incidentally, the video was made the same September morning that an earthquake hit the city if Melbourne, which only adds to the all-round bizarre vibe of the visual tale. Hiatus Kaiyote vocalist, Nai Palm says: “(The earthquake) added to the mystery and epic-ness of the shoot. It was such a dream to work with director Grey Ghost again. He is such a creative champion.”
“And We Go Gentle is a song about why moths are attracted to light. For the video, I wanted to reference the Japanese film style of tokusatsu in celebration of Mothra (an angel moth that can defeat Godzilla). I made the costume myself out of aquarium plants and old tabi boots. The video is a search for love but from a quirky humorous perspective” –Nai Palm
Grey Ghost adds: “The concept for And We Go Gentle was very much Nai’s vision, she had the whole story mapped out in her head and as soon as she explained it to me I loved it. The main thing I knew was that we had to shoot it on 16mm film to give it that realness and that nostalgic edge. I wanted to be a fly on the wall in her moth world. The story and footage feels equal parts silly and beautiful, I loved featuring the band members throughout for their cameos from store owners to speed dealers. Nai’s performance as the Moth was golden and legitimately hilarious to watch on set. Joey Knox (DOP) is a 16mm film master and he did a smashing job as we were really running and gunning it.”
And We Go Gentle is a track from the group’s recently released album Mood Valiant, which received praise from Pitchfork, Dazed, Guardian, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and NPR, and placements in Albums Of The Year so far lists at Rough Trade and Mixmag.
Hiatus Kaiyote is Naomi “Nai Palm” Saalfield (guitar, vocals), Paul Bender (bass), Simon Mavin (keys), and Perrin Moss (drums). Mood Valiant came together over the course of six years during which the band spent time touring, writing and recording, culminating in a 2019 trip to Rio de Janeiro that led them to work with legendary Brazilian arranger Arthur Verocai. The band also recently performed a NPR Tiny Desk Home Concert to rapturous acclaim.
Hiatus Kaiyote have been sampled on songs by The Carters (Beyonce & Jay-Z), Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Chance The Rapper, and Drake—with whom Nai Palm also collaborated with on his “Scorpion” album. They’ve been praised by legends from Erykah Badu to Questlove to Prince, and other more recent supporters include Little Simz, Virgil Abloh, Doja Cat, Willow Smith, Nubya Garcia, Loyle Carner, Kehlani, Tom Misch, Lianne La Havas and Bradley Zero. UK support includes Annie Mac, Clara Amfo, Gilles Peterson and Benji B on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 music, where Iggy Pop has also supported, Jamz Supernova on 1Xtra, making the A list on BBC 6 Music, and being featured in and on the cover of the Guardian Guide. In Europe, they have previously sold-out Somerset House, Kentish Town Forum and the Shepherds Bush Empire in London, the Paradiso in Amsterdam, Sala Apolo in Barcelona, and played numerous festivals including Glastonbury, Dour and Dimensions.
Listen/add/buy Mood Valiant HERE
2022 EU/UK Tour Dates:
29 September 2022 – Berlin, Germany – Huxley
01 October 2022 – Dublin, Ireland – National Stadium
03 October 2022 – London, UK – Brixton Academy
05 October 2022 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
07 October 2022 – Antwerp, Belgium – De Roma
09 October 2022 – Utrecht, Holland – Ronda
11 October 2022 – Amsterdam, Holland – Paradiso
12 October 2022 – Rotterdam, Holland – Schouwburg
14 October 2022 – Paris, France – Salle Pleyel
18 October 2022 – Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
