Its lineup is constantly changing, but has consisted of Toby Driver, Ron Varod, Mia Matsumiya, Keith Abrams, Tim Byrnes, David Bodie, Dan Means and Terran Olson.
The music of Kayo Dot can not be accurately described by the limiting contemporary genre nomenclatures. Their songs involve complex instrumentation (composed by singer and frontman Driver), generally without refrain. They are substantially longer than typical rock songs, often ranging from 8 to 15 minutes in length.
Kayo Dot's second album Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue was released in January of 2006.
On May 6 2008, they released their third full-length, Blue Lambency Downward, on Hydra Head Records.
Their fourth album, recorded in June 2009, named Coyote, was released on 20 April 2010 on Hydra Head Records. It was later brought out on vinyl by Taiga Records in November 2010.
Their first EP, Stained Glass, was released in January 2011 by Hydra Head, with very little fanfare. It was later issued on vinyl by Antithetic Records in August 2011, with a "de-mix" of the song on the second side.
Their second EP, Gamma Knife, was self-released digitally via http://kayodot.bandcamp.com in January 2012. Antithetic Records produced a vinyl release in June 2012.
Their fifth album, Hubardo, was released digitally on August 2013, with a vinyl release to follow.
Their sixth album, Coffins on Io, was released on October 15, 2014 through experimental metal label The Flenser. It is a concept album, and the first full-length album from Kayo Dot not to be self-released since 2010's Coyote.
Side projects include Tartar Lamb, Tartar Lamb II, and maudlin of the Well (to which Kayo Dot can be considered a spiritual successor, though the two projects now co-exist). Toby Driver's solo album In the L..L..Library Loft is also a Kayo Dot album in all but name, mainly being released under his name due to the record label's preference.
Right Hand Is the One I Want
Kayo Dot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the coroners of New Orleans
Are calling, all the coroners are calling you
You are completely alone in this world
It's not your fault it's just easy to forget
Waiting for a voice to say come in
Outside, a bell is ringing on a traveling olive branch
To an innocent stranger?
Which hand is heavier on the snare?
In the track "Right Hand Is the One I Want” by Kayo Dot, the lyrics begin with "Laughter is ceasing, All the coroners of New Orleans are calling, all the coroners are calling you". The song presents a rather dystopian world where death and the end of laughter are close at hand. The first verse alludes to death and how everyone is calling upon the singer, who seems to be alone in this cruel world. The singer is either facing death or something as bad as it; whatever it is, the idea is quite haunting.
As the song continues, the lyrics go on to say, "You are completely alone in this world, It's not your fault it's just easy to forget, Waiting for a voice to say come in". These lines suggest that the singer is lonely and seeking solace or someone to tell them it's going to be okay. They might have been in this position for a long time, and their loneliness is noticeably weighing them down. They need a sense of comfort and security, but they cannot seem to find it.
In the end, the lyrics state, "Now I'll be cold forever, To an innocent stranger? Which hand is heavier on the snare?". These lines draw attention to the singer's internal struggle, as they try to figure out their place in the world. They also bring out the idea of the heaviness of a decision and how it could impact one's life. The singer seems to be aware of their fate, yet they still have not made a decision. These lines suggest that whatever the decision is, it will be binding and could be deadly.
Line by Line Meaning
Laughter is ceasing,
The joy and happiness that once existed is disappearing,
All the coroners of New Orleans
Every medical examiner of this city,
Are calling, all the coroners are calling you
Are summoning you, in need of your aid,
You are completely alone in this world
You are terribly isolated and disconnected from society,
It's not your fault it's just easy to forget
It's not a consequence of your actions, but it's a natural tendency to overlook it,
Waiting for a voice to say come in
Anticipating an invitation to be a part of something,
Outside, a bell is ringing on a traveling olive branch
A symbol of peace is being conveyed through a ringing bell from a wanderer,
Now I'll be cold forever
I will feel emotionally numb permanently,
To an innocent stranger?
Toward someone who is guiltless and has no connection to my condition?
Which hand is heavier on the snare?
Uncertainty about which decision to make,
Contributed by Nora D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.