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Shapeshifter (sometimes referred to as New Zealand Shapeshifter) are a live
drum and bass Drum and bass (also written as drum & bass or drum'n'bass and commonly abbreviated as D&B, DnB, or D'n'B) is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by fast breakbeats (typically 165–185 beats per minute) with heavy bass and sub-ba ...
act from
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. They are known for their live shows and blend of heavy soul with drum and bass. They have made appearances at Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Big Day Out, Parklife plus sold-out performances across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.


History and biography

Shapeshifter formed in 1999 after the four founding members met at jazz school. They had a range of musical backgrounds ranging from dub, jazz, and hip-hop, to metal, funk and electronica. As a result, they decided to bring these influences together to create live drum & bass. After playing locally, they released an early EP entitled ''D.N.A.'' In 2001, Shapeshifter released their debut LP entitled ''Realtime''. The album included a collaboration with vocalist
Ladi6 Karoline Fuarose Park-Tamati (born 7 November 1982), known professionally as Ladi6, is a New Zealand recording artist of Samoan descent. She spent six months living in Berlin and touring Europe in both 2010 and 2011. Her debut album '' Time Is ...
on the track "Move With Me" as well as Kaps (Fabel) and Tiki (Salmonella Dub) on production. ''Realtime'' was awarded the 'Best Electronic Release' title at the 2002
bNet NZ Music Awards The bNet NZ Music Awards was an annual New Zealand music award presentation organised by New Zealand student radio network bNet from 1998 to 2007. History The awards began in 1998 and were originally known as the 95bFM Music Awards, run by Au ...
, and was also nominated at the RIANZ NZ Music Awards for 'Best Electronic Album'. In 2002, Shapeshifter relocated to Melbourne. They toured extensively, performing at events such as the 4ZZZ Market Day Festival in Brisbane, the Bellingen Global Carnival, and sold-out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay. In late-2003, vocalist Paora Apera (aka P Digsss) joined Shapeshifter's live line-up. The new line-up was road tested on
Salmonella Dub Salmonella Dub is a dub/ drum n bass/reggae/ roots band from New Zealand. The band was formed in 1992 by Andrew Penman, Dave Deakins, and Mark Tyler. The band has toured extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, including the UK ...
's ''One Drop East'' album release tour of Australia in August/September. Shapeshifter played 12 shows in various cities to an overwhelming crowd response. Other highlights included their first tour of Europe at locations including London, Edinburgh and Rotterdam. In 2004, Shapeshifter then released their second album '' Riddim Wise''. This was their step towards a more
atmospheric An atmosphere () is a layer of gas or layers of gases that envelop a planet, and is held in place by the gravity of the planetary body. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A s ...
style of drum and bass. Recorded at the group's own home studio in Melbourne, the album features collaborations with Aotearoa vocalists Dallas Tamaira aka Joe Dukie (Fat Freddy's Drop), Karoline Tamati aka Lady 6 (Verse 2/Sheelahroc) and Paora Apera aka P Digsss. The album was praised as a steady progression from 'Realtime', with an emphasis on funky dancefloor grooves, whilst maintaining strong musical elements. The album became the #1 Independent NZ album release and also the #1 NZ National Dance Album in New Zealand history. The band's third album ''Soulstice'' was released in August 2006, with lead single "Bring Change" receiving extensive video and radio play. The album takes influences from soul, reggae, funk, rock, and drum 'n' bass. Soulstice obtained Gold sales status in New Zealand in three weeks and has since achieved Platinum sales. September 2006 saw Shapeshifter tour throughout New Zealand, performing with leading orchestras and selling out their shows weeks in advance. In 2007, Shapeshifter released a live album entitled '' Shapeshifter Live'' which was recorded on 29 September 2006 at the Christchurch Town Hall – the final show of their orchestra tour and in the band's hometown. This 6-track album contained a previously unreleased song called "Good Looking" and appeared alongside other popular Shapeshifter tracks such as "Tapestry", "Bring Change" and "One". In 2008, Shapeshifter embarked on their fourth European tour playing sold-out dates in Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Scotland and England. The tour also promoted their single "One", released in May 2008, and off the back of the tour and single, the decision was made to release
Soulstice Ashley J. Llorens (also known as SoulStice), was born in 1979 in Chicago, IL. He started seriously pursuing music while earning his B.S. and M.S. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2003, SoulStice founded the independent label, Wa ...
' in the UK and Europe. This was released on 17 November on Mums The Word Records with a special re-designed package that includes new artwork and exclusive remixes from D-Bridge (Exit Records), Nu:Tone and
The Nextmen The Nextmen is a UK production/songwriting/DJ duo consisting of Dom Search (a.k.a. Dominic Betmead) and Brad Baloo (a.k.a. Brad Ellis). Often incorporating hip hop, drum & bass, dub, pop, soul and various other eclectic electronic and in ...
. Shapeshifter also toured Australia at the end of 2008 and during their summer tour of New Zealand, they played new unreleased tracks including "Dutch Sorrow", "Right Here, Right Now", "Day One", "Twin Galaxies", "Warning" and "System" some of which appeared on their next album entitled, The System Is A Vampire, released 12 November 2009. Shapeshifter also released a remix EP in late 2008 featuring two alternative versions of their song "Bring Change" by themselves and fellow New Zealand drum and bass artists, The Upbeats. A remix of their song "Long White Cloud" was also included, remixed by Nu:Tone. Shapeshifter also released a remix of their hit tune, Electric Dream which was remixed by New Zealand drum and bass act, State of Mind. Shapeshifter also have their own recording label called Truetone Recordings. Their first album, ''Realtime'', and early EPs were released under Kog Transmissions. November 2009 saw the release of the band's fourth studio album entitled The System Is A Vampire with lead single "Dutchies". The album was shortlisted for the inaugural
Taite Music Prize The Taite Music Prize is an annual New Zealand music award event. It features the same-named prize awarded for the best album from New Zealand. The prize is named after respected New Zealand music journalist and broadcaster Dylan Taite, who die ...
in 2010. In September 2009 during a tour of Australia, drummer Redford Grenell left the band. He was replaced by drummer and producer Johnny Hooves. P. Digsss stated that Mr. Grenell had told the band that he had "come to the end of his road" with Shapeshifter. In 2013, Johnny Hooves left the band and was replaced by Wellington drummer Darren Mathiassen. The band embarked on a summer tour throughout New Zealand in December 2009/January 2010. They played at Coromandel Gold in front of 10,000 people to welcome in the new year. They repeated this concert in the summer of 2011. In July 2010, Shapeshifter were signed by UK Drum and Bass label Hospital Records, who released Shapeshifter's platinum-selling album The System is a Vampire globally. They also released a new collection of remixes in October 2010 entitled 'The System is a Remix'. It features a range of Shapeshifter remixed tunes from Logistics, Camo & Krooked, Netsky, State of Mind and The Upbeats. The band is known in the UK and Europe as "New Zealand Shapeshifter" in order to differentiate themselves from popular house act "The Shapeshifters". In 2013, Shapeshifter released their 5th studio album titled "Delta" which includes lead singles Monarch, Diamond Trade and Gravity. It was recorded in Berlin, Germany and Wellington, New Zealand and was released on 31 May followed by a NZ wide tour. The album has been mixed by NZ drum and bass producers The Upbeats. In 2014, founding member of 15 years Devin Abrams left the band and was replaced by Dan McGruer. In July 2016, Shapeshifter released a new single, "Stars", from their new album to rave reviews "T''he title track of the album is also the first song on the album and instantly draws the listener in with its etheric, carnival type atmosphere. It is a summer anthem song and over my travels this summer it is definitely a song I have heard multiple times from cars with their windows down and occupants singing along having the time of their life''". In 2018, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gifted Shapeshifter's The System Is A Vampire CD and a Stars vinyl to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, during their royal tour of the South Pacific.


Side projects

Vocalist P.Digss is part of The Sunshine Soundsystem, who play around New Zealand with a hip-hop, funk, dancehall, reggae and jungle flavour. They regularly play the Kaikoura Roots Festival, Rippon Festival, Destination and have supported acts such as The Nextmen, Aphrodite and London Elektricity. Nick Robinson DJs under the name "Nicky Research" and Sam Trevethick DJs under the name "Sambora". P-Digsss, Sambora and Nicky Research perform together as "The Peacekeepers". Shapeshifter also has a close working relationship with ex-Salmonella Dub front man Tiki Taane. Upon the release of Taane's debut solo album, '' Past, Present, Future'', in 2008, Members of Shapeshifter were asked to tour with Taane in his live band "The Dub Soldiers" to help promote the new album. Tiki Taane is also Shapeshifter's sound technician during their live shows. In 2014, Shapeshifter collaborated with another New Zealand drum and bass group known as The Upbeats to produce an EP album, combining two entirely different styles of DnB.


Band members

*Sam Trevethick (keyboards, guitar, percussion) *Paora 'P Digsss' Apera (vocals) *Dan McGruer (synths) *Darren Mathiassen (drums) *Nick Robinson (bass, keyboards)


Discography


Albums


Singles


Featured appearances

The group have appeared on many compilations and soundtracks since 2001 in
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by Shapeshifter. * 2001 - The Gathering 3: Unity Through Diversity (
Virgin Virginity is the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. The term ''virgin'' originally only referred to sexually inexperienced women, but has evolved to encompass a range of definitions, as found in traditional, modern ...
)
- ''DNA'' * 2002 - The Gathering Aotearoa 2002 (
Loop Loop or LOOP may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Loop (mobile), a Bulgarian virtual network operator and co-founder of Loop Live * Loop, clothing, a company founded by Carlos Vasquez in the 1990s and worn by Digable Planets * Loop Mobile, an ...
)
- ''Tapestry'' * 2002 - Heads Up!!! Music From The 2002 bNet Music Awards ( Festival Mushroom) - ''Move With Me'' featuring
Ladi6 Karoline Fuarose Park-Tamati (born 7 November 1982), known professionally as Ladi6, is a New Zealand recording artist of Samoan descent. She spent six months living in Berlin and touring Europe in both 2010 and 2011. Her debut album '' Time Is ...
* 2002 - In 2 Deep ( Fabel Music) - ''Move With Me (Remix)'' * 2002 - Loop. Select 003 ( Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa) - ''Move With Me'' featuring
Ladi6 Karoline Fuarose Park-Tamati (born 7 November 1982), known professionally as Ladi6, is a New Zealand recording artist of Samoan descent. She spent six months living in Berlin and touring Europe in both 2010 and 2011. Her debut album '' Time Is ...
* 2005 - Dub Conspiracy - "Tapestry" * 2005 - Kaikoura Roots Festival 2005 - ''Been Missin'' and ''Ganja Love'' * 2007 - Nuclear Free Nation (Motu Karihi Kau) (CD/DVD) - ''Bring Change'' * 2019 - ''
Waiata / Anthems ''Waiata / Anthems'' is compilation album by New Zealand artists, whereby they re-record previous songs from English to Māori language. It was released in New Zealand 6 September 2019 and it debuted at number 1 on the Official New Zealand Music ...
'' - ''Ngā Kano / In Colour''


Awards

Shapeshifter have enjoyed many awards and nominations at the publicly voted
bNet NZ Music Awards The bNet NZ Music Awards was an annual New Zealand music award presentation organised by New Zealand student radio network bNet from 1998 to 2007. History The awards began in 1998 and were originally known as the 95bFM Music Awards, run by Au ...
, held annually And also the Vodafone New Zealand Music awards (Tui Awards) *2000 - Winner of the Best New Act *2001 - Nominated for Best Live Act and Best Electronic Release ( D.N.A. EP) *2002 - Winner of the Best Electronic Release (
Realtime ''RealTime'', also known as ''RealTime Arts'', was a free Australian arts magazine, published by Open City in print from 1994 until 2015 and online from 1996 to December 2017. History The free national arts magazine ''RealTime'', also known as ...
) *2002 - Nominated for Best Song (
Tapestry Tapestry is a form of textile art, traditionally woven by hand on a loom. Tapestry is weft-faced weaving, in which all the warp threads are hidden in the completed work, unlike most woven textiles, where both the warp and the weft threads may ...
) and Best Album (
Realtime ''RealTime'', also known as ''RealTime Arts'', was a free Australian arts magazine, published by Open City in print from 1994 until 2015 and online from 1996 to December 2017. History The free national arts magazine ''RealTime'', also known as ...
) *2003 - Showcase performance at awards ceremony *2006 - Winner of Best Album(
Soulstice Ashley J. Llorens (also known as SoulStice), was born in 1979 in Chicago, IL. He started seriously pursuing music while earning his B.S. and M.S. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2003, SoulStice founded the independent label, Wa ...
) Best Song ( Bring Change)and Best Live Act *2007 - Tui Award winner for Best Electronic Release (
Soulstice Ashley J. Llorens (also known as SoulStice), was born in 1979 in Chicago, IL. He started seriously pursuing music while earning his B.S. and M.S. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 2003, SoulStice founded the independent label, Wa ...
) and Best Live Act *2013 - Tui Award winner for Best Electronic Album (Delta) and Best Live act. *2015 - Nominated for Best Electronic Album (Shapeshifter & The Upbeats - SSXUB) *2016 - Nominated for Single of the Year (Stars), with showcase performance at the Awards ceremony *2016 - Nominated for Best Group *2017 - Nominated for Artisan Awards: NZ On Air Best Music Video (Her) and Best Album Cover (Stars) *2021 - Nominated for Best Group and Best Electronic Artist (Rituals) In 2005, Shapeshifter's video for Long White Cloud, Directed by Ash Bolland won Best Electronic Release at the
Juice TV Awards The Juice TV Awards was an annual New Zealand music video award presentation held by the now defunct New Zealand music video channel Juice TV (later Juice). The awards were founded in 2001 and initially honoured music videos from both New Zealand ...
.


Notes


References


External links

*
AudioCulture profile
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Shapeshifter Drum and bass music groups New Zealand electronic music groups Musical groups established in 1999 1999 establishments in New Zealand