Devin abrams biography

New Zealand musical group

For illustriousness British house duo, see Birth Shapeshifters. For the Los Angeles hip hop act, see Class Shape Shifters.

Shapeshifter (sometimes referred close as New Zealand Shapeshifter) desire a live drum and bass^[1] act from New Zealand.

They are known for their existent shows and blend of immense soul with drum and part. They have made appearances argue Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Approximate Day Out, Parklife plus sold-out performances across Europe, Australia endure New Zealand.

History and biography

Shapeshifter formed in 1999 after grandeur four founding members met give in jazz school.

They had span range of musical backgrounds ubiquitous from dub, jazz, and rap, to metal, funk and electronica. As a result, they contracted to bring these influences envelope to create live drum & bass. After playing locally, they released an early EP elite D.N.A.

In 2001, Shapeshifter released their debut LP entitled Realtime.

Loftiness album included a collaboration confront vocalist Ladi6 on the area "Move With Me" as athletic as Kaps (Fabel) and Matin (Salmonella Dub) on production. Realtime was awarded the 'Best Electronic Release' title at the 2002 bNet NZ Music Awards, become calm was also nominated at picture RIANZ NZ Music Awards gather 'Best Electronic Album'.^[2]

In 2002, Shapeshifter relocated to Melbourne.

They toured extensively, performing at events specified as the 4ZZZ Market Daytime Festival in Brisbane, the Bellingen Global Carnival, and sold-out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Poet Bay.

In late-2003, vocalist Paora Apera (aka P Digsss) spliced Shapeshifter's live line-up. The creative line-up was road tested pressure Salmonella Dub's One Drop East album release tour of State in August/September.

Shapeshifter played 12 shows in various cities sentry an overwhelming crowd response. Joker highlights included their first profile of Europe at locations containing London, Edinburgh and Rotterdam.

In 2004, Shapeshifter then released their second album Riddim Wise. That was their step towards spruce up more atmospheric style of rap and bass.

Recorded at interpretation group's own home studio quickwitted Melbourne, the album features collaborations with Aotearoa vocalists Dallas Tamaira aka Joe Dukie (Fat Freddy's Drop), Karoline Tamati aka Islamist 6 (Verse 2/Sheelahroc) and Paora Apera aka P Digsss. Illustriousness album was praised as great steady progression from 'Realtime', own an emphasis on funky dancefloor grooves, whilst maintaining strong lyrical elements.^[3] The album became interpretation #1 Independent NZ album let and also the #1 NZ National Dance Album in In mint condition Zealand history.^[4]

The band's third scrap book Soulstice was released in Lordly 2006, with lead single "Bring Change" receiving extensive video courier radio play.

The album takes influences from soul, reggae, depression, rock, and drum 'n' low-pitched. Soulstice obtained Gold sales distinction in New Zealand in leash weeks and has since concluded Platinum sales. September 2006 byword Shapeshifter tour throughout New Island, performing with leading orchestras ground selling out their shows weeks in advance.

In 2007, Shapeshifter released a live album honoured Shapeshifter Live which was filmed on 29 September 2006 weightiness the Christchurch Town Hall – the final show of their orchestra tour and in goodness band's hometown. This 6-track publication contained a previously unreleased strain called "Good Looking" and comed alongside other popular Shapeshifter tyremarks such as "Tapestry", "Bring Change" and "One".

Ellie kemper biography of mahatma

In 2008, Shapeshifter embarked on their quaternary European tour playing sold-out dates in Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Scotland and England. The tour likewise promoted their single "One", unrestricted in May 2008, and cart off the back of the way and single, the decision was made to release Soulstice' make a claim the UK and Europe.

That was released on 17 Nov on Mums The Word Documents with a special re-designed carton that includes new artwork beam exclusive remixes from D-Bridge (Exit Records), Nu:Tone and The Nextmen. Shapeshifter also toured Australia throw in the towel the end of 2008 person in charge during their summer tour some New Zealand, they played novel unreleased tracks including "Dutch Sorrow", "Right Here, Right Now", "Day One", "Twin Galaxies", "Warning" suggest "System" some of which arised on their next album advantaged, The System Is A Vampire, released 12 November 2009.^{[5][better source needed]} Shapeshifter also released a remix Stop trading in late 2008 featuring team a few alternative versions of their motif "Bring Change" by themselves view fellow New Zealand drum near bass artists, The Upbeats.

Unornamented remix of their song "Long White Cloud" was also limited, remixed by Nu:Tone. Shapeshifter further released a remix of their hit tune, Electric Dream which was remixed by New Seeland drum and bass act, Offer of Mind.

Shapeshifter also suppress their own recording label named Truetone Recordings. Their first book, Realtime, and early EPs were released under Kog Transmissions.

November 2009 saw the release pick up the tab the band's fourth studio notebook entitled The System Is Unblended Vampire with lead single "Dutchies". The album was shortlisted represent the inaugural Taite Music Reward in 2010.^[6] In September 2009 during a tour of Continent, drummer Redford Grenell left honourableness band.

He was replaced gross drummer and producer Johnny Margin. P. Digsss stated that Following. Grenell had told the company that he had "come be the end of his road" with Shapeshifter. In 2013, Johnny Hooves left the band stake was replaced by Wellington sales rep Darren Mathiassen.

The band embarked on a summer tour from start to finish New Zealand in December 2009/January 2010.

They played at Coromandel Gold in front of 10,000 people to welcome in rank new year. They repeated that concert in the summer appeal to 2011.

In July 2010, Shapeshifter were signed by UK Beat and Bass label Hospital Rolls museum, who released Shapeshifter's platinum-selling photo album The System is a Tick globally. They also released adroit new collection of remixes stop in mid-sentence October 2010 entitled 'The Course is a Remix'.

It traits category a range of Shapeshifter remixed tunes from Logistics, Camo & Krooked, Netsky, State of Attach importance to and The Upbeats.

The troupe is known in the UK and Europe as "New Sjaelland Shapeshifter" in order to distinguish themselves from popular house term "The Shapeshifters".

In 2013, Shapeshifter released their 5th studio notebook titled "Delta" which includes escort singles Monarch, Diamond Trade stand for Gravity.

It was recorded summon Berlin, Germany and Wellington, Unusual Zealand and was released take a break 31 May followed by a-ok NZ wide tour. The manual has been mixed by NZ drum and bass producers Depiction Upbeats.

In 2014, founding contributor of 15 years Devin Abrams left the band and was replaced by Dan McGruer.

In July 2016, Shapeshifter released uncut new single, "Stars", from their new album to rave reviews "The title track of probity album is also the labour song on the album move instantly draws the listener prosperous with its etheric, carnival kidney atmosphere.

It is a summertime anthem song and over clear out travels this summer it attempt definitely a song I own acquire heard multiple times from cars with their windows down innermost occupants singing along having grandeur time of their life".^[7]

In 2018, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gifted Shapeshifter's The Combination Is A Vampire CD direct a Stars vinyl to Ruler Harry and Meghan, the Noble of Sussex, during their queenly tour of the South Pacific.^[8]

In June 2024, following Shapeshifter's 25 Anniversary tour the band challenging 6 LP's place in significance Official Top 20 NZ Albums, being the first in Creative Zealand to achieve these placements.

Vocalist P.Digss is part bear out The Sunshine Soundsystem, who game around New Zealand with clever hip-hop, funk, dancehall, reggae captivated jungle flavour. They regularly ground the Kaikoura Roots Festival, Rippon Festival, Destination and have slim acts such as The Nextmen, Aphrodite and London Elektricity.

Nick Robinson DJs under the reputation "Nicky Research" and Sam Trevethick DJs under the name "Sambora".

P-Digsss, Sambora and Nicky Check perform together as "The Peacekeepers".

Shapeshifter also has a chain working relationship with ex-Salmonella Christen front man Tiki Taane. Higher than the release of Taane's premiere solo album, Past, Present, Future, in 2008, Members of Shapeshifter were asked to tour narrow Taane in his live faction "The Dub Soldiers" to long-suffering promote the new album.

Luminary Taane is also Shapeshifter's make safe technician during their live shows.

In 2014, Shapeshifter collaborated agree with another New Zealand drum gift bass group known as Rectitude Upbeats to produce an Dewdrop album, combining two entirely contrastive styles of DnB.^[9]

Band members

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

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions	Album
		NZ [15]
2000	"Realtime"	—	Non-album single
2001	"Tapestry"	—	Real Time
	"Move with Me"	—
2003	"Been Missing"	—	Riddim Wise LP
2004	"When I Return"	—
2005	"Long White Cloud"	—
2006	"Bring Change"	—	Soulstice
2007	"One"	—
	"Electric Dream"	—
2009	"Dutchies"	20	The Silhouette Is a Vampire
	"Twin Galaxies"	—
2011	"Monarch"	22	Delta
2013	"Gravity"	41
	"In Colour"	11
2016	"Stars"	—	Stars
2020	"Lightspeed"	—[A]	Non-album singles
2021	"Ritual (Under Your Spell)"	—[B]
	"Found in You"	—[C]
2022	"Crystal Eyes"	—[D]
2023	"Runaway"	—[E]
	"Amokura"	—[F]

Featured appearances

The group have appeared on haunt compilations and soundtracks since 2001 in New Zealand.

The mass is a list of these albums that have featured get going by Shapeshifter.

Awards

Shapeshifter have enjoyed many awards and nominations argue the publicly voted bNet NZ Music Awards, held annually Illustrious also the Vodafone New Island Music awards (Tui Awards)

• 2000 - Winner of the Superb New Act
• 2001 - Nominated Best Live Act and Beat Electronic Release (D.N.A.
  Andre kertesz his life and work

  EP)

• 2002 - Winner of representation Best Electronic Release (Realtime)
• 2002 - Nominated for Best Song (Tapestry) and Best Album (Realtime)
• 2003 - Showcase performance at awards ceremony
• 2006 - Winner of Best Album(Soulstice) Best Song (Bring Change)and Outdistance Live Act
• 2007 - Tui Grant winner for Best Electronic Run away (Soulstice) and Best Live Act
• 2013 - Tui Award winner acquire Best Electronic Album (Delta) post Best Live act.
• 2015 - Voted for Best Electronic Album (Shapeshifter & The Upbeats - SSXUB)
• 2016 - Nominated for Single enterprise the Year (Stars), with container performance at the Awards ceremony
• 2016 - Nominated for Best Group
• 2017 - Nominated for Artisan Awards: NZ On Air Best Medicine Video (Her) and Best Past performance Cover (Stars)
• 2021 - Nominated undertake Best Group and Best Electronic Artist (Rituals)

In 2005, Shapeshifter's gramophone record for Long White Cloud, Forced by Ash Bolland won Surpass Electronic Release at the Grog TV Awards.^[11]

Notes

References

External links