Kayo Dot
Kayo Dot | |
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![]() Kayo Dot performing at Roadburn Festival, 2015 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
Genres | Avant-garde, progressive metal, post-rock, chamber |
Years active | 2003–present |
Labels | The Flenser, Ice Level Records, Hydra Head, Robotic Empire, Tzadik, Holy Roar |
Associated acts | maudlin of the Well, Tartar Lamb, Toby Driver, Baliset, Vaura, Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3 |
Website | Kayodot.net |
Members | Toby Driver Keith Abrams Daniel Means Ron Varod |
Past members | Jason Byron Mia Matsumiya Terran Olson David Bodie Greg Massi Sam Gutterman Nicholas Kyte Ryan McGuire Forbes Graham John Carchia D.J. Murray Tom Malone |
Kayo Dot is an American avant-garde music group. Formed in 2003 by Toby Driver after the break-up of maudlin of the Well, they released their debut album Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik Records that same year. Since then, Kayo Dot's lineup has drastically changed over the years.[1] Toby Driver is the only founding member of the band still remaining, save for frequent lyrical contributions from former motW member Jason Byron. Up until 2011, the lineup was constantly shifting, and Kayo Dot's sound consistently changed over the years, featuring a wide variety of instrumentation including guitar, drums, bass, violin, saxophone, vibraphone, synthesizers, clarinets and flutes. Underground metal audiences warmly received the group upon its early existence, with the 2003 album Choirs of the Eye and the 2006 album Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue both becoming underground hits in the progressive metal scene.
Over the years, in addition to the rotating lineup and constantly changing sounds, Kayo Dot has been signed to a number of different record labels, Tzadik, Robotic Empire, Hydra Head, Driver's self-release imprint, Ice Level Music, and most recently signing to The Flenser in 2014.
As of 2016, Kayo Dot has released eight studio albums, one EP and one split: Choirs of the Eye in 2003, Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue as well as Kayo Dot/Bloody Panda split in 2006, Blue Lambency Downward, Coyote in 2010, an EP titled Stained Glass in 2011, Gamma Knife in 2012 and a double-album Hubardo in 2013. Coffins on Io, the group's seventh album, was released on October 16, 2014 via The Flenser. Their eighth studio album, Plastic House on Base of Sky, was released on June 24, 2016.
The band's latest album, Blasphemy, was released by Prophecy Productions on September 6th, 2019.
History[]
1996–2004: Formation and Choirs of the Eye[]
Kayo Dot was formed after the disbanding of maudlin of the Well, a mildly acclaimed progressive heavy metal band in late 2002. Several members of Maudlin went on to form Kayo Dot, with multi-instrumentalist Toby Driver leading the group. In early 2003, Toby Driver (vocals, guitar, electronics), Greg Massi (guitar, vocals), Nicholas Kyte (bass, vocals), Sam Gutterman (drums, vocals) and Terran Olson (keyboards, flute, clarinet, saxophone) carried on and took the metal sound of Maudlin in a more classical direction. Rather than using the same band format as Maudlin of the Well, early performances saw Kayo Dot playing as an orchestra of sorts, with many members playing different instruments on stage.[2] John Zorn's famous avant-garde label Tzadik signed the act in 2003, and Choirs of the Eye was released in late 2003.[2] The album was very well-received, and many regard it as one of the best metal albums of the 2000s.[3] Toby Driver would later go on to say that Choirs of the Eye developed because "Kayo Dot is just a natural extension of the places MOTW was heading". After reading online forums in which fans of Opeth and MOTW bickered over compositional styles, Driver decided to make a more "thoroughly-composed metal album...one without riffs and arbitrarily repeating parts."[4] This shift in style became the trademark post-metal or avant-garde metal sound the band is currently known for. Kayo Dot played the album in its entirety in 2010 at The Stone in New York City and again in August 2015.[5]
2005–2007: Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue[]
In March 2005, longtime collaborator and former MOTW member Sam Gutterman left the group to pursue other musical ventures. Tom Malone signed on to replace Gutterman in 2005. Kayo Dot then signed to Robotic Empire Records and released its second album, Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue in January 2006.[6] The album was released to good reviews, receiving a 7.7 from Pitchfork,[7] and garnering the band more recognition in the indie metal circle. The album also received a rave review from Sputnikmusic, in which it received a 4.5/5 and was named as one of the best albums of 2006.[8] The band then embarked on a lengthy fall tour before taking a short hiatus, during which two guitarists, the bassist and the trumpet player-left the band for "personal reasons." Despite concerns that there was bad blood between members, Greg Massi said on his blog that he left the group on "good terms" and that "he was going to try and figure out other aspects of my musical life and take some time to figure out where I want to be going." Massi went solo under the moniker Baliset and embarked on a tour shortly afterward. He did, however, guest perform with the group to perform its seminal album Choirs of the Eye at The Stone in New York City in 2010.[5]
In late 2006, Kayo Dot left Robotic Empire and signed with Hydra Head Records.[9] Despite retaining only two members (Driver and long time collaborator Mia Matsumiya), the band started work on a new album in late 2007.
2008–2009: Blue Lambency Downward[]
After signing to Hydra Head, Kayo Dot began working on their third album, Blue Lambency Downward, which was released in May 2008.[10] Driver and Matsumiya used several session musicians on this recording, including Skerik on saxophone and vibraphone, Hans Teuber on clarinet, and Charlie Zeleny on drums. Additionally, Randall Dunn was enlisted as producer and recording engineer. This album marked the first time Driver allowed one of his recordings to be produced by someone other than himself.[11] After the album's release, Driver relocated from Boston to New York City for the purpose of touring the album. A new lineup was assembled, including Patrick Wolff on woodwinds, Daniel Means on woodwinds and guitar, David Bodie on drums and original (and former Maudlin of the Well) member Terran Olson on woodwinds and keyboards.
Despite a successful tour, the album was not received as well as previous releases. Allmusic and Drowned in Sound gave it mostly positive reviews,[12] but it was panned by Pitchfork, who gave it a score of 3.3 out of 10. Among other complaints, the Pitchfork review stated that Blue Lambency Downward had few memorable moments.[13]
2010–2012: Coyote, Stained Glass, and Gamma Knife[]
After the poor critical reception and fan response to Blue Lambency Downward, Driver began working on a new long-form composition with Yuko Sueta, a NYC-based writer, filmmaker, and video artist. A first draft of this piece was premiered at The Stone in September 2008 by The Kayo Dot Auxiliary Unit, which consisted of David Bodie and Daniel Means of Kayo Dot, Yuko Sueta, and Tim Byrnes on trumpet. Shortly after, Sueta became incapacitated by breast cancer.[14] Driver then re-drafted and adapted the piece, which was recorded in Seattle during June–July 2009 with Randall Dunn at the production helm. A tour with Secret Chiefs 3 followed, after which the album was released as 2010's Coyote on Hydra Head. Sueta died while the record was in post-production, which compelled the band to dedicate their performance to her.[14] The album featured a rotating lineup of Driver on bass and vocals, Terran Olson on keyboards, David Bodie on drums, Mia Matsumiya on violin, Tim Byrnes on trumpet, and Daniel Means on woodwinds. Despite receiving mixed reviews, some sources (including PopMatters) praised Coyote for its concept.[14]
Immediately after Coyote, Kayo Dot released an EP entitled Stained Glass in November, 2010.[15] It featured a guest guitar solo by Trey Spruance of Secret Chiefs 3 and Mr. Bungle fame. Stained Glass was partially recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, by Jim Fogarty, and partially by Toby Driver at his home studio. Consisting of one self-titled track, the twenty-minute EP was released on CD by Hydra Head Records and on LP by Antithetic Records in early 2011. Stained Glass features lyrics by Jason Byron, but only some of the ones written were actually sung on the album. The remaining lyrics appear in the liner notes, some of which were later used in Jason Byron's book, "The Sword of Satan" which was included with the LP release of Hubardo in 2013.[16] Like Coyote, Stained Glass was released to mixed reviews. The critical and commercial failure of these albums, resulted in Kayo Dot and Hydra Head mutually parting ways.
Kayo Dot was left without financial support from a label and decided to stay independent, so the band recorded the album Gamma Knife live at a concert in Brooklyn, New York on October 5, 2011.[17] The album was different in that it was recorded with a budget of zero dollars via six channels of microphones into a laptop helmed by a friend of the band, composer Jeremiah Cymerman.[18] The concert featured several moments of audience participation. It received moderately good reception and was seen as a return to the group's metal roots. It was self-released on their own imprint Ice Level Music, digitally on January 4, 2012 on Bandcamp and later by another record company, Antithetic Records on CD and LP. The lineup remained the same, except Keith Abrams played drums on the album.[19] Gamma Knife was received critically better than the past few albums, as SputnikMusic gave it a 3.5/5 and said "for the first time in years, Kayo Dot feels musically relevant."[20]
2013-2018: Hubardo, Coffins on Io, and Plastic House on Base of Sky[]
In 2013, Driver announced a pre-order for Kayo Dot's new concept double-album, which contained approximately 100 minutes of music. Instead of using Kickstarter like many other crowd-funded musical projects, he announced that the album would be financed with money earned from pre-orders. It would be named Hubardo (which means "lamp" in Enochian), and its release would mark the group's ten year anniversary.[21] Driver announced that the album was recorded in the spring of 2013 in Seattle by longtime collaborator Randall Dunn. It was digitally released on September 10, 2013 to widespread acclaim, and received good reviews from multiple sources [22] Through crowd-funding, Kayo Dot self-released a triple LP that sold out immediately, containing a 40-page book/poem by former Maudlin of the Well guest vocalist Jason Byron entitled "The Sword of Satan." Byron also wrote the album's lyrics. The album featured a line up similar to previous albums, with the exception of guitarist Ron Varod and Byron's guest vocals on the first half of "The Black Stone." This was Byron's first recorded appearance since Maudlin of the Well's Bath and Leaving Your Body Map. It is widely considered a return to the group's metal roots, and was selected as the 4th best album of 2013 by SputnikMusic. Sputnik noted that Hubardo "recalls the black metal chamber music of Choirs of the Eye."[23]
Despite the involvement of Terran Olson and Mia Matsumiya, neither participated in the ensuing tour, except as occasional guest musicians. The U.S. tour for Hubardo commenced in early 2014, and included dates at SXSW.[24] Many dates were sold out.
On July 10, 2014, the band announced a new album called Coffins on Io to be released October 16 via The Flenser. Driver said of the record, "Basically the vibe that we’re going for here is inspired by 80s retro-future noir—Blade Runner...I wanted to make a good record to put on while you drive across the desert at night under a toxic, post-apocalyptic atmosphere...There’s a weird underlying theme of murder, shame and death."[25] The album was released on October 15, 2014.
Violinist Matsumiya's Instagram screenshots documenting the online abuse she has received were the subject of an October 2015 BBC video.[26]
The band's eighth studio album, Plastic House on Base of Sky, was released on June 24, 2016. The album has been noted to feature an increased influence from electronic music.[27]
[]
In September 2018, Kayo Dot signed with the German record label Prophecy Productions, also announcing work had begun on a new album.[28] One year later, in September 2019, Blasphemy was released to positive reviews. Two music videos, the only ones so far, were created for "Blasphemy: A Prophecy" and "Turbine, Hook & Haul". Both were filmed and edited by Toby Driver. [29]
Musical style[]
Unlike maudlin of the Well, Kayo Dot's sound is a mixture of black metal, atmospheric metal, and chamber music. The label on their debut reads, "Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern classical composition with layers of guitars and vocals more common to rock and metal." The group's sound continually changes from album to album, and this unpredictability has become one of their trademarks.
Early Kayo Dot recordings are notable for their classical leanings and composition, as well as their eclectic instrumentation. Loud walls of guitars and quiet interludes are equally common, which has led to their music being labeled post-metal, post-rock, progressive rock and avant-garde. All of their music is thoroughly composed, with no improvisation. Kayo Dot is known for employing the complex instrumentation of progressive rock, with song lengths and structures reminiscent of classical.
Toby Driver has said that his influences in Kayo Dot include artists such as The Cure, Scott Walker, Emperor, Ulver, John Zorn, Gorguts, and Björk.[30] He has denied the presence of jazz in Kayo Dot music.[31]
Current members[]
- Toby Driver - vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, instruments
- Ron Varod - guitar
- Leonardo Didkovsky - drums
- Phillip Price - drums
Touring Musicians[]
- Phillip Price - Drums
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
Release date | Title |
---|---|
2003 | Choirs of the Eye |
2006 | Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue |
2008 | Blue Lambency Downward |
2010 | Coyote |
2012 | Gamma Knife |
2013 | Hubardo |
2014 | Coffins on Io |
2016 | Plastic House on Base of Sky |
2019 | Blasphemy |
2021 | Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike |
Splits, singles, remixes and live albums[]
- Split with Bloody Panda, 2006, Holy Roar Records
- "Twins Eating Fer De Lance," Champions of Sound 2008 compilation, 2009, Hydra Head Records
- Live In Bonn, Germany: October 7, 2009
- Stained Glass, 2010, Hydra Head Records
- "Pages" remix on Candiria's Toying With The Insanities, vol. 1
- "COYOTE" Live on WMBR, Cambridge, Massachusetts: August, 2012
References[]
- ^ "Sorrow Eternal - metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview". Sorroweternal.blogspot.com. 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ^ Jump up to: a b David Jeffries. "Kayo Dot | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye (album review 3)". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Sorrow Eternal - metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview". Sorroweternal.blogspot.com. 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Kayo Dot Get Former Guitarist to Play 'Choirs of the Eye' Again". Noisecreep.com. 2010-02-18. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Dusted Reviews: Kayo Dot - Dousing Anemone with Copper Tongue". Dustedmagazine.com. 2006-03-05. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot / Toby Driver: Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue / In the L..L..Library Loft | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot - Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue (album review 3)". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot signs to Hydra Head, members form side project". Punknews.org. 2006-12-17. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Thom Jurek (2008-05-06). "Blue Lambency Downward - Kayo Dot | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Ubaghs, Charles (2008-06-24). "Album Review: Kayo Dot - Blue Lambency Downward / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot: Blue Lambency Downward | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Kayo Dot: Coyote". PopMatters.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot Begins Recording New EP "Stained Glass" - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ^ "Review: Kayo Dot - Stained Glass". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Review: Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife". Invisible Oranges. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Gamma Knife | Ice Level Music". Icelevelmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot North American tour". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Review: Kayo Dot - Gamma Knife". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "New Kayo Dot Record Fan Funded, Preorder, Etc / Music Forum // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ Matthews, S.K. (26 August 2013). "Kayo Dot - Hubardo in ScenePointBlank.com". Review. Scene Point Blank. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ^ "Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2013: 10 – 1 « Staff Blog". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Invisible Oranges SXSW showcase 2014: Black Tusk, Mutoid Man, Kayo Dot, Yautja, Wild Throne & Venomous Maximus!". Brooklynvegan.com. 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
- ^ "Kayo Dot – Coffins On Io". The Flenser. 2014-07-10. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
- ^ Evans, Olivia Lace (2015-10-22). "Violinist highlights a decade of online abuse". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-10-22.
- ^ "Kayo Dot's New Album, 'Plastic House on Base of Sky, Is a David Lynchian Electronic Wonder". Vice. 2016-06-20. Retrieved 2016-06-26.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (2019-07-09). "Kayo Dot announce new album". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ wookubus, wookubus (2019-07-27). "Kayo Dot premiere "Blasphemy: A Prophecy"". The PRP. Retrieved 2020-11-09.
- ^ http://www.marastmusic.com/Clanky/Toby-Driver-a-KAYO-DOT-temna-hudba-zajimaveji/(language)/eng-GB - 'Toby Driver and KAYO DOT - I just wanted to make dark music more interesting'
- ^ http://blindedbysound.com/kayo-dots-toby-driver-on-jazz-mysticism-and-lazy-listening/ - 'it's just objectively wrong to say that [Kayo Dot] music has any jazz elements'
External links[]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kayo Dot. |
- American experimental musical groups
- American post-rock groups
- Rock music groups from Massachusetts
- American post-metal musical groups
- American avant-garde metal musical groups
- Musical groups established in 2003
- Tzadik Records artists
- Musical groups from Boston