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Shapeshifter

Shapeshifter formed in 1999 after the four founding members met at music school. The group soon realised a common vision of performing dance music live and unsequenced.

What set Shapeshifter apart from other groups, was their use of organic instruments (drums, saxophone, guitar, percussion and horns) as well as synthersizers and keyboards to create a genre of music that had previously been restricted to pre-sequenced or pre-recorded performances.

The group's four members also brought together a diverse range of musical influences and experiences, with each member having performed in a variety of genres. Dub, Jazz, Hip Hop, Metal, Funk and Electronic music backgrounds were brought together to create 'Drum and Bass' live. The result of this unique partnership soon saw the group earn a reputation for bringing the house down with high energy sets of tight, dancefloor d'n'b peppered with soulful, jazzy undertones.

The group played it's first gigs in support of Salmonella Dub, which meant being exposed to a national audience from an early stage. Independent shows soon followed, and word was spreading throughout the country of a new phenomenon. It was around this time that Shapeshifter made their first ever recording, the single 'Realtime'. The track was a hit on the bnet radio network, and secured the group recognition as a fresh innovative act.

In 2000, the group was voted 'Best New Act' at the B.net NZ music awards. Shapeshifter went on to record debut ep 'DNA', which once again was thrashed on the bnet network. Around this time the group progressed to further levels of live performance, touring nationally on the 'outdoor styles' tour, alongside Salmonella Dub, King Kapisi, Pitch Black and Sunshine Sound System. The group also headlined events such as Splore, The Gathering, Alpine Unity, and Destination.

2001 saw the release of debut lp 'Realtime', the product of a steep learning curve, hard work and inspiration. Highlights included a collaboration with sublime vocalist Lady 6, on the track 'Move With Me'. 'Realtime' was awarded the 'Best Electronic Release' title at the 2002 bnet NZ music awards, and was also nominated at the RIANZ NZ music awards for 'Best Electronic Album'. The track 'Tapestry' became the No.1 most played track on the Alternative Radio Airplay charts for 2001, and was also nominated for 'Best Song' at the 2002 bnet awards.

In 2002 Shapeshifter relocated to Melbourne. They toured extensively, playing to sell out crowds with reactions from audiences reaching fever pitch. The group performed at events such as the 10,000 attendance 4ZZZ market day festival in Brisbane, and the Bellingen Global Carnival, as well as sold out shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay.

In mid 2003, vocalist Paora Apera (aka P Digsss) joined Shapeshifter's live line-up, making the group an even more formidible and soulful 5 piece with a stronger stage presence. The new line-up was road tested on Salmonella Dub's 'One Drop East' album release tour of Australia in August/September. Shapeshifter played 12 shows in various cities to an overwhelming crowd response. Musically the group evolved rapidly to include the new vocal elements in old and new tracks, resulting in a fresh, universal sound communicating to a wider audience.

Shapeshifter were part of the 'True Colours' NZ music showcase tour in 2003 alongside Fat Freddy's Drop, Salmonella Dub, Betchadupa, P Money and Scribe, Blindspott, Blam Blam Blam and more.

The group performed at the 2003 b.net NZ Music Awards Ceremony in Auckland, and in October completed a sell out tour of Australasia. In the summer of '03/'04 Shapeshifter toured the NZ summer festival circuit, playing at the Big Day Out, Alpine Unity, Rippon, Kaikoura Roots Festival, and Phat Outdoors.