Hiatus Kaiyote, the genre-defying Australian collective known for their intricate sound and soul-stirring music, is back with their latest offering, Love Heart Cheat Code. Released earlier this year, the album marks the group’s fourth full-length project, showcasing their most refined songwriting yet while still staying true to the complex, experimental ideas that have become their trademark.
In this episode of the Broken Record podcast hosted by Justin Richmond, Hiatus Kaiyote reflected on the making of “Love Heart Cheat Code” and their creative process. Meeting up at NRG Studios in Los Angeles at the end of their U.S. tour, the band shared insight into their role as collaborators, both within the group and with external artists, and treated listeners to an intimate live set.
The four-piece band—vocalist and guitarist Nai Palm, drummer Perrin Moss, bassist Paul Bender, and keyboardist Simon Mavin—explained how tracks like “Make Friends” and “Dreamboat” came to life. The group’s spontaneous approach to songwriting is at the heart of their creative process, with musical ideas often emerging during casual studio jams or even at home. The song “Make Friends,” for example, began as a simple piano riff before evolving into a full track following a spontaneous vocal recording session.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s experimental nature shines through on the album, where they incorporate unconventional instruments and otherworldly sounds. The band explained how they use layering techniques to craft textured songs, such as “Telescope” and “Dreamboat,” which they describe as “sister songs.” These two tracks are tied together thematically by the use of harps and celestial imagery. In an amusing twist, the band shared an anecdote about astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson noticing a reference to Einstein’s Ring in the song, a subtle nod to the band’s cosmic inspirations.
As for performing live, the band faces the challenge of recreating the intricate production of their albums in front of an audience. Instead of relying on backing tracks or click tracks, they prefer to use pedals, samplers, and other innovative equipment to maintain the spontaneity and freedom of their shows. The band values rhythm and energy in their live performances, focusing on capturing the audience’s attention while maintaining a deep connection to the music.
In addition to their on-stage philosophy, the band also reflected on their transition from traditional training to their unconventional approach to music. Drummer Perrin Moss, who began his career in production before transitioning to percussion later in life, emphasized how passion and dedication can help overcome a late start in music.
The conversation also touched on Hiatus Kaiyote’s recent albums, highlighting their ability to create cohesive, narrative-driven works that transcend trends and focus on storytelling. The band discussed their experimental process, drawing inspiration from diverse genres, and their commitment to crafting immersive musical experiences rather than chasing commercial success.
Lyrically, Hiatus Kaiyote explained that ideas often come together organically during production, sometimes fully formed and other times developed alongside the instrumental elements. While the band has had the opportunity to collaborate with others, they remain deeply protective of their own creative work, preferring to focus on their music rather than writing for others. They value authentic connections in their collaborations and believe in inspiring others to pursue creative freedom rather than contributing to projects for superficial reasons.
At the core of their creative journey is a commitment to authenticity. For Hiatus Kaiyote, their contribution to the music industry lies in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through artistic exploration. As they continue to write and create, they cherish their time together as a band, committed to keeping their art true and inspiring others to do the same.
