Shapeshifter reviews, music, news

Shapeshifter are a five piece band originating from New Zealand who are world leaders in the live electronic/dance genre. Formed in 1999 by four music students who were interested in pushing the boundaries of live performance, they had the unique vision of combining the electronic genre with an energetic live performance. Shapeshifter's ability to combine organic instruments (drums, saxophone, guitar, percussion, horns) with synthesizers,keyboards, and vocals has produced tight, highly charged 'Drum and Bass' sounding live performances which had been previously restricted in the electronic/dan ...read more

Shapeshifter are a five piece band originating from New Zealand who are world leaders in the live electronic/dance genre. Formed in 1999 by four music students who were interested in pushing the boundaries of live performance, they had the unique vision of combining the electronic genre with an energetic live performance. Shapeshifter's ability to combine organic instruments (drums, saxophone, guitar, percussion, horns) with synthesizers,keyboards, and vocals has produced tight, highly charged 'Drum and Bass' sounding live performances which had been previously restricted in the electronic/dance genre to pre-recorded performances. It did not take long for Shapeshifters unique sounds which include elements of Jazz, Dub and Soul to become popular throughout New Zealand, with sold out shows in the main centres becoming the norm. In 2000 Shapeshifter was voted the 'New Best Act' at the b.Net NZ music awards. In 2001 Shapeshifter released their first full album 'Realtime'. It was met with critical and public acclaim, winning the the 'Best Electronic Release' in the 2002 b.Net Music awards. The group's track 'Tapestry' was the number 1 most played track for 2001 on the alternative radio charts. Highlights included a collaboration with sublime vocalist Ladi6, on the track 'Move With Me'. 'Realtime' was also nominated at the NZ Music Awards for Best Electronic Release in 2002. Shapeshifter moved to Melbourne in 2002, whereupon they toured Australia gaining strong support in the main centres. It was also during 2003 that Shapeshifter guest vocalist Paora Apera aka P. Digsss became a full time member, giving the group a new level of intensity and audience awareness during live performances Their second release 'Riddim Wise LP' gained Gold sales status and is only the second independently distributed Drum and Bass album in the world to do so. It spent many weeks as number 1 on the NZ independent record sales chart. The hits "Long White Cloud", "Been Missin" and "When I Return" feature the voices of some of New Zealand’s top soul vocalists – Joe Dukie (Fat Freddy’s Drop), P Digsss and Ladi6 respectively. The 'Riddim Wise' LP was nominated for Best Electronic Release at the NZ Music Awards, and in the same category at the b.Net NZ Music Awards, along with a nomination for Best Album. Their latest album 'Soulstice' entered the NZ national charts at remarkable number 4 when it was released in August 2006. It spent over 2 months in the Top 20, and has also reached number 1 on the independent charts. It reached Gold sales in New Zealand in just 3 weeks. It has a star line up featuring Shapeshifter’s artistic talents and features vocals from some of New Zealand’s top artists. The album contains their signature Drum and Bass sound, blended with a range of complimentary genres. The sound is wider, more inclusive & with a far greater instrumentation than previously, as the band move their sound to another level altogether. In a follow up to the album release Shapeshifter went on a nationwide tour of New Zealand. In cutting-edge Shapeshifter fashion, they performed with leading orchestras in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch selling out their shows. They have played a massive five sell out New Zealand tours in a row. The evidence of Shapeshifters popularity in New Zealand came at the 2006 b-Net awards where they won Best Live Act, Song of the Year with ‘Bring Change’ and Album of the Year. In early 2007 Shapeshifter toured Australia with the release of ‘Soulstice’ over there with more success and sold out concerts. « hide

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