Shapeshifter

Formed in 1999 by four young New Zealanders eager to translate their passion for electronic dance music into live settings, the experimental drum'n'bass and electronica outfit Shapeshifter spent its debut year on the road alongside Salmonella Dub and Pitch Black, steadily cultivating a devoted grassroots following. Their dynamic stage shows, shaped by a broad range of influences, sparked widespread attention within the underground scene and soon drew interest from record labels. Virgin/EMI introduced the group via the D.N.A. EP before issuing the full-length Realtime. Accolades quickly followed, with Shapeshifter named New Zealand's "Best New Act" and the album crowned the nation's "Best Electronic Release," enabling the band to headline major venues across the country before capacity crowds. Seeking wider opportunities, the members moved to Melbourne in 2002 and spent much of that year performing throughout Australia before shifting focus in 2003 to composing and recording their second album, Styles. After its release, former guest vocalist Paora "P Digsss" Apera joined as a full-time member. In 2004 the group launched its own Truetone Records imprint to issue the third studio effort, Riddim Wise, which attained gold certification in New Zealand and became only the second drum'n'bass album in history to reach that milestone. Critical praise greeted the 2006 follow-up, Soulstice.