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.
Wayfarer
Kayo Dot Lyrics
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That splendid trod the starry roads.
All ye dust-strewn travellers, hasten
To the hearthside!
What seest thou, wayfarer,
Upon thy journey to a citrine sun?
Caves of candlelight with amethyst imbued,
Woods of columned water supporting ceilings breathing blue,
Seascapes fill�d with poison, lonely, waiting for the few
Final scarlet denizens to march into the scorching fumes!
Stalks of lapis lazuli groaning against a tired breeze,
Sparkling in the quaint moonlight, and owls� eyes in sapphire trees,
Hooting to one year of moons that hang on petals in the air!
Growing ghosts in silver pots upon a silent windowsill,
Built into the side of nothing built into a nothing hill!
A cage that housed a nightingale was hung upon a shepherd's crook;
He lightly stepp'd across the tide, his statuary effervescing.
Boughs dipped their lovely heads into the lake of one-thousand tiers
To admire an Absinthe floodgate, and a piquant gallery.
Morning, and the dreamers fade
Like lovers� gazes past their hour.
Cannot sunrise wait forever
For its time?
Farewell, starry wayfarer,
I'll bless thy name when dreameth I of thine.
The song "Wayfarer" by Kayo Dot starts with the request to hear a romantic tale that took place on the starry roads, inviting all the weary travelers to gather around the fire. The wayfarer is then asked about the sights he encountered on his journey towards a citrine sun. The following lines describe surreal and dreamlike settings, depicting caves with candlelight colored in amethyst hues, opal skulls of creatures decorating tombs, woods of columned water that support blue breathing ceilings, and seascapes filled with poison and waiting for the final scarlet denizens.
The second stanza describes the picturesque scenery of moonlit, glowing stalks of lapis lazuli, where owls' eyes twinkle in sapphire trees, and the boughs dip into the lake of one-thousand tiers to admire an Absinthe floodgate and a piquant gallery. The final lines summarize the fleeting nature of all things and the dreamers who fade away like lovers' gazes past their hour. The singer bids farewell to the starry wayfarer, blessing his name when he dreams of him again.
The song seems to mirror an imaginary world that the singer attempts to paint for the listener using surrealist imagery and vivid descriptions. The lyrics appear to conjure up a dreamlike world with elements of wonder, darkness, and suspense. The song's meaning is open to interpretation, but it seems to suggest that life is a journey with fleeting moments and sacrifices that ultimately lead to our destination.
Line by Line Meaning
Sing to me a romance, sire
Request for a beautiful romantic story or tale to be told
That splendid trod the starry roads.
A tale of a journey through the cosmos
All ye dust-strewn travellers, hasten
To the hearthside!
Invitation to gather around the storyteller and listen
What seest thou, wayfarer,
Upon thy journey to a citrine sun?
Questioning what the traveler has seen on their journey
Caves of candlelight with amethyst imbued,
Opal skulls of opal creatures decorating tombs!
Describing a place with glowing caves and decorated with opal bones
Woods of columned water supporting ceilings breathing blue,
Seascapes fill�d with poison, lonely, waiting for the few
Final scarlet denizens to march into the scorching fumes!
Depicting a surreal landscape of underwater forests and toxic seas populated by a few brave souls
Stalks of lapis lazuli groaning against a tired breeze,
Sparkling in the quaint moonlight, and owls� eyes in sapphire trees,
Hooting to one year of moons that hang on petals in the air!
Describing a serene scene with blue flowers, moonlit owls, and gemstone trees
Growing ghosts in silver pots upon a silent windowsill,
Built into the side of nothing built into a nothing hill!
Painting a surreal picture of ghosts growing in pots on a seemingly non-existent hill
A cage that housed a nightingale was hung upon a shepherd's crook;
He lightly stepp'd across the tide, his statuary effervescing.
Boughs dipped their lovely heads into the lake of one-thousand tiers
To admire an Absinthe floodgate, and a piquant gallery.
Describing a strange and beautiful scene with a birdcage hung on a crook and a man walking on water, surrounded by art inspired by absinthe
Morning, and the dreamers fade
Like lovers� gazes past their hour.
Reflecting on how dreams often fade with the passage of time
Cannot sunrise wait forever
For its time?
Questioning why time must always move forward and change things
Farewell, starry wayfarer,
I'll bless thy name when dreameth I of thine.
Saying goodbye to the traveler and wishing them well on their journey
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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