Their track Nakamarra (featuring Q Tip) from the album Tawk Tomahawk (Flying Buddha/Sony Music) was nominated in the Best R&B Performance category. They’re up against Tamar Braxton’s Love And War. Anthony Hamilton’s Best Of Me from the Back To Love album, Miguel Ft Kendrick Lamar’s How Many Drinks? and Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway’s Something from the album Family Dinner Volume One.
If Hiatus Kaiyote do win, they will join other Melbourne names as Men At Work, Gotye, Kylie Minogue, AC/DC (formed in Sydney but spent their earlier years down south) and Olivia Newton-John who have a Grammy trophy propping open their toilet door somewhere.
Bassist and producer Paul Bender said, “All of us at Hiatus Kaiyote HQ would just like to say thank you for the honour of having our little home recorded moment in time recognized alongside the work of such illustrious artists. The last few years have been a surreal dream and it’s nice to know that this dream can get even weirder still! Massive thanks to Q-Tip for your wisdom and artistry, and to everyone who has listened!”
The band, fronted by singer songwriter and one time fire dancer Nai Palm, has just returned from an 18-date tour through the US and Europe.
The nomination is the latest accolade for the band, who have been referenced in interviews by American R&B performers Questlove, Erykah Badu and Taylor McFerrin. Stereogum named them a “Band to Watch.” Influential UK radio broadcaster Gilles Peterson named them Breakthrough Artist of 2013.
The track Nakamarra was inspired by their Australian identity, its title sourced from an indigenous skin name and referencing the red earth that Nai Palm roamed as a child. She sings “Nakamarra sweet red earth will hold you like the strength you bless to me true we engage humility/ watch me struggle with your words however truthful they may be we’ll see in time/opening our hearts and nurturing our minds to shine.”
Other Grammy nominees are Tame Impala for Best Alternative Album, and Keith Urban for Best Country Duo/Group.
