You may have seen the name Koi Child pop up over the last couple of days, especially if you happen to be a Tame Impala fan. The talented Perth seven-piece will be supporting the hometown heroes during their massive national tour this November.
But the hip-hop outfit’s links to Tame Impala and its main man, Kevin Parker, run even deeper than that. Koi Child have just unveiled the video for their new single, ‘Black Panda’, which is taken from their forthcoming debut album, produced by Parker himself.
Yes, Kevin Parker produced a hip-hop album and now you can hear a taste of it. Parker spoke about his work with the group during a recent interview with The Guardian, reflecting on his status as both producer and unwitting mentor for the band.
“I’m producing an album by this other band, this hip-hop jazz group called Koi Child,” Parker said. “They got played on BBC Radio 1 the other day – I was very proud. They actually called me Uncle Kevin. I was devastated. Like, really? Am I that old to you?”
The band’s ‘Black Panda’ video was premiered via The Fader and has been described as “something akin to the very best old school rap videos… half-Beastie Boys, half-NWA”. What’s more, it features a cameo from Pond’s Nick Allbrook.
“When I was a kid, Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’ was my favourite video,” Koi Child’s Shannon Patterson told The Fader. “I guess that had something to do with the idea for ‘Black Panda’. We just wanted something bad ass to suit the track so we got all gangsta on a piano.”
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“The track pretty much speaks for it self. Everything about it shouts: ‘I’m huge and heavy and I’m gonna sit on your birthday cake.’ If anything, it’s about the attitude of something as big, rare and dark as a black panda.”
You can catch Koi Child when they support Tame Impala on select dates of their national tour this November. They’ll also be appearing as part of the lineups for BIGSOUND, NYE On The Hill, and Southbound festivals.
Upcoming Tour Dates
KOI CHILD TOUR DATES
Tickets on sale now
Thursday 10 September| Bigsound
Woolly Mammoth stage, Brisbane QLD
Thursday 17 September | Shebeen,
Melbourne VIC
Friday 18 September | FILTH @ Beach Road Hotel
Bondi NSW
Saturday 19 September | Goodgod Small Club
Sydney NSW
