Hiatus Kaiyote (/haɪˈeɪtəs keɪˈjoʊti/ hy-AY-təs kay-YOH-tee) is an Australian jazz/funk band formed in Melbourne in 2011,[1] made up of singer/guitarist Nai Palm, bassist Paul Bender, keyboardist Simon Mavin, and drummer Perrin Moss.

In 2010, Nai Palm (born Naomi Saalfield) performed a solo show in Melbourne that was witnessed by Paul Bender.

After working as a duo for a short time, they recruited Perrin Moss and Simon Mavin in 2011 and formed Hiatus Kaiyote.

Hiatus Kaiyote played their first gig at the 2011 Bohemian Masquerade Ball among sword swallowers, fire twirlers, and gypsy death core bands.

McFerrin was so impressed with them that he introduced their music to influential broadcaster and record label owner DJ Gilles Peterson.

Sony gave Remi the opportunity to start his own label, Flying Buddha, and his first signing was Hiatus Kaiyote.

The band licensed Tawk Tomahawk to the label, adding an updated version of the song "Nakamarra" featuring Q-Tip.

[14] Nai Palm described the album as an "extension" of their debut, and stated that she and the band had no intention to make a one-genre body of work.

[24] While recuperating in the hospital following a mastectomy, Palm and Bender performed a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You" which was released online.

[citation needed] Paul Bender formed an act called The Sweet Enoughs and released the album Marshmallow in 2020.

[12] They began work on a new album inspired by Palm's health crisis and her loss of a beloved pet, as well as the social difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

[38] In January 2024, Hiatus Kaiyote released "Everything's Beautiful",[39] the lead single from their fourth studio album Love Heart Cheat Code.