Unknown Mortal Orchestra

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Unknown Mortal Orchestra shares the new single “I Killed Captain Cook” alongside a video starring Ruban Nielson’s mother, Deedee Aipolani Nielson, a Kanaka Maoli from Hilo and Miss Aloha Hula 1973, who also features on the single art. The tender, acoustic track is told from the perspective of the Hawaiian that killed Captain James Cook, the English explorer largely responsible for the colonization of Polynesia, who attempted to kidnap Hawaiian chief Kalaniʻōpuʻu, and eventually met his demise in Hawai’i as a result. Nielson’s mother would tell him the story as a child with pride and the song is written for, and as a tribute to, her. The song also marks the first offering from Unknown Mortal Orchestra this year and serves as the first taste of a forthcoming double album in 2023.

Along with the release of “I Killed Captain Cook,” Unknown Mortal Orchestra announces their first tour in 4 years with a headline UK and North American tour that is set to kick off in March 2023.

“I Killed Captain Cook” follows Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s 2021 stand-alone singles “That Life,” which arrived with a video featuring a puppet created by renowned Daytime Emmy Award-nominated puppeteer and fabricator Laura Manns, and “Weekend Run,” which marked their first official single since their shapeshifting 2018 full-length Sex & Food.