New Zealand psyche-rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra have announced the release of their first new single since 2021, ‘I Killed Captain Cook‘, which is the first taste of their upcoming double album due to be released in 2023. A tender, acoustic track told from the perspective of the Hawaiian that killed Captain James Cook, the English explorer largely responsible for the colonisation of Polynesia, the song is a tribute to frontman Ruban Nielson‘s mother, Deedee Aipolani Nielson, a Kanaka Maoli from Hilo and Miss Aloha Hula 1973, who used to tell him the story of Captain Cook’s demise as a child. Deedee also stars in the single art and accompanying video.
To coincide with the single release Unknown Mortal Orchestra have also announced a US and UK tour kicking off in March 2023. The run includes stops in Los Angeles and New York City before heading to the UK for five dates in May and June:
30/5 – Bexhill, UK @ De La Warr Pavilion
31/5 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
15/6 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
16/6 – Leeds, UK @ Stylus
17/6 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Galvanizers
Tickets are now available to buy here.
Photo credit Jenny Nielson.
