Biography

As Kamikaze Palm Tree, the duo of Dylan Hadley and Cole Berliner make circular and psychedelic art rock, hiding clingy melodies beneath deadpan vocal delivery and experimental production. After releasing an EP and their 2019 full-length debut, Good Boy, the band signed on with Drag City and worked with White Fence's Tim Presley in the producer's chair for the release of their 2022 album MINT CHIP. Kamikaze Palm Tree was formed in 2015 when Hadley and Berliner were living in San Francisco. The core duo consisted of Hadley on drums, vocals, and occasional guitar and Berliner on guitar and other instruments. Hadley had played drums in garage psych band White Fence, and in addition to time put into Kamikaze Palm Tree, would go on to work with Cate Le Bon, Kiskadee, and others. Kamikaze Palm Tree's debut EP, The Hand Faces Upwards, was a drony and obscured set of songs, and the band quickly expanded their lineup for live shows. In 2018 the group played at the studios of Berkeley radio station KALX with Hadley and Berliner joined by harpist Abby Lim-Kim and saxophonist Justin Tomlin. They released the sessions online before issuing their debut album, 2019's Good Boy. For their second LP, MINT CHIP, Kamikaze Palm Tree (now living in Los Angeles) signed on with indie giant Drag City. In addition to a studio lineup that included bass, violin, and clarinet, White Fence's Tim Presley assisted with production, helping the band balance out trippy ideas with a more full-bodied sound. ~ Fred Thomas, Rovi