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.
The Manifold Curiosity
Kayo Dot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I feel I'm courting Saturn.
The Twelve-Eyed Secret gazes through a prism,
Staring into raindrops swirling slow
It lifts its horrible heads
With lidless orbs of limitless vision.
I dream with fluid movements in a lake
The ripples cast from skipping stones
Crouching in a corner, hid behind a box
Full of Worms and stalking shadows.
Magnetism draws me to a cone of space;
I sift still through hours of its plasma,
Biding time until the clocks collapse.
Music shattered my spine on the steps outside;
I cannot move; my liquid breathing
Is sculpted with this binding gel.
But come, my love, and rescue me
From failure.
Cover me with an opium sheet,
Embrace me with gossamer;
Kiss the moonstones from my eyes
And brush the cobwebs from my bones.
It all sings beautifully;
With all your strength believe this.
But I know you can't understand
The lyrics to Kayo Dot's The Manifold Curiosity are an abstract exploration of the emotions one feels when they are going through deep pain or sadness. The opening lines of the song, "It never hurt this much before, And I feel I'm courting Saturn," suggest that the singer is going through something that is both new and incredibly painful, symbolized by courting the planet Saturn, which was traditionally associated with melancholy and sadness.
The Twelve-Eyed Secret is a metaphor for the overwhelming power of the emotions that the singer is feeling, and the "lidless orbs of limitless vision" suggest that these emotions are all-encompassing and difficult to escape. The subsequent verses explore the idea of being trapped in a place of pain, represented by the box full of worms and stalking shadows, and the need for rescue and comfort from a loved one.
The song ultimately ends on a note of acceptance, with the singer acknowledging that their pain is a part of them, but that they can endure it with the help of their loved one. The final lines, "It all sings beautifully; With all your strength believe this. But I know you can't understand," suggest that while the singer's pain might be beautiful in its own way, it is ultimately something that is difficult for others to comprehend.
Line by Line Meaning
It never hurt this much before,
This experience is more painful than anything I've felt before.
And I feel I'm courting Saturn.
I feel like I'm inviting hardship and misfortune into my life.
The Twelve-Eyed Secret gazes through a prism,
A mysterious and powerful force is observing everything through a prism-like lens.
Staring into raindrops swirling slow
This force is intently watching the slow, mesmerizing movement of raindrops.
It lifts its horrible heads
This force is powerful and intimidating.
With lidless orbs of limitless vision.
This force has unblinking eyes that can see everything.
I dream with fluid movements in a lake
I dream of moving fluidly in a lake, possibly representing freedom and escape.
The ripples cast from skipping stones
The disruption in the water caused by skipping stones creates ripples that I perceive.
We speak below a gushing mind,
We are speaking under the influence of a powerful force that is constantly spewing ideas and thoughts.
Crouching in a corner, hid behind a box
I feel scared and vulnerable, hiding in a corner and behind a box.
Full of Worms and stalking shadows.
This hiding spot is filled with unpleasant and foreboding elements, such as worms and lurking shadows.
Magnetism draws me to a cone of space;
I am inexplicably drawn towards a specific space, perhaps representing a desire or goal.
I sift still through hours of its plasma,
I continue to patiently wait and sift through time and energy related to this desired space.
Biding time until the clocks collapse.
I am waiting for a significant event or change to occur, perhaps signified by the collapse of clocks.
Music shattered my spine on the steps outside;
Music outside had a profound effect on me, rendering me unable to move and overwhelming my senses.
I cannot move; my liquid breathing
The effect of the music has made it difficult for me to move and has altered my breathing.
Is sculpted with this binding gel.
Something is holding me back and constraining my movement or actions.
But come, my love, and rescue me
I call for the help of a loved one to rescue me from my current state or situation.
From failure.
I fear failing or being unsuccessful in my endeavors.
Cover me with an opium sheet,
I ask to be protected or sheltered from the harsh realities of life.
Embrace me with gossamer;
I long for a soft and delicate embrace.
Kiss the moonstones from my eyes
I metaphorically ask my loved one to remove any obstacles or hindrances from my vision or perspective.
And brush the cobwebs from my bones.
I ask my loved one to help me rid myself of any stagnation or hindrances within me.
It all sings beautifully;
Despite the challenges and hardships I face, there is still beauty in life.
With all your strength believe this.
I implore my loved one to believe and hold onto the beauty in life, despite the difficulties.
But I know you can't understand
I acknowledge that my loved one may not fully comprehend or relate to my struggles.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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