Founded in 1999, Shapeshifter is a New Zealand drum and bass act from Christchurch, Zealand, formed by Sam Trevethick (keyboards, guitar, percussion), Nick Robinson (bass, keyboards), Devin Abrams (synths, keys, and saxophone) and Redford Grenell (drums), who met while attending the Christchurch Jazz School. Blending their eclectic musical tastes and skills, the group gained popularity with their unique style of soul, hip-hop and funk, releasing debut EP D.N.A in 2001, followed by Realtime, which was awarded Best Electronic Release and Best Electronic Album at the 2002 bNet NZ Music Awards and RIANZ NZ Music Awards respectively. Relocating to Melbourne, Australia, the group welcomed vocalist Paora “P Digsss” Apera, and the new line-up performed on the festival circuit to sold-out audiences throughout the East Coast. 2004 saw the release of LP Riddim Wise, recorded at the group’s home studio, reaching number 1 on both the Independent NZ Album and Dance Albums chart, which they followed with platinum certified Soulstice in 2006 which reached number 4 on the charts, earning Shapeshifter the award for Best Album and Best Live Act at the New Zealand Music Awards. Their next album Soulstice was released in the UK and Europe, with original drummer Redford Grenell leaving the group after several successful national and international tours, replaced by Darren Mathiassen on the eve of the group’s greatest chart success to date; platinum certified album The System Is a Vampire, released globally in July 2010, finally breaking through to the number 1 position on the New Zealand charts. In 2013, Shapeshifter recorded their fifth studio album Delta, in Berlin, Germany, earning them their second number 1 and undergoing yet another change in line-up, with founding member Devin Abrams replaced by Dan McGruer. The group’s 2016 studio album Stars charting at number 2, receiving outstanding reviews with single “Lightspeed” appearing four years later followed by seventh studio album Rituals, released on July 30, 2021, earning the group two nominations at the 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Group and Best Electronic Artist, respectively.
