Shapeshifters (band)
Encyclopedia
The Shapeshifters are Simon Marlin and Max Reich, a house music
production
duo based in London
, England. They have a recording contract
with Defected Records, and were previously signed to Positiva. Max Reich is originally from Gothenburg
, Sweden
, while Simon Marlin is British
.
They are known in the United States
as Shape:UK, in part due to a conflict with the Los Angeles
based hip-hop
act Shape Shifters
. However, the UK duo still uses "The Shapeshifters" name when they are releasing material in other countries outside the US.
" which went to #1 in the UK Singles Chart
in July 2004. The track was originally released as an instrumental promo in 2003 and was inspired by Simon's wife, Lola.
Their second single, "Back To Basics", was released in March 2005 and reached #10 in the UK chart, while the third single "Incredible" reached #12. Their debut album, Sound Advice, was released in March 2006 and peaked at #76 in the UK Albums Chart
, before being released in the United States
on Ultra Records
in September 2006. The fourth single which featured Nile Rodgers of Chic
, was called "Sensitivity" and charted at #40 on July 2006.
In 2008, after four years with Positiva Records
, The Shapeshifters signed to Defected Records. Their first release for Defected was "Treadstone" in April 2008, and this was subsequently followed by "Chime", a re-work of the Orbital
track. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters released a The Shapeshifters - In The House - a mix album was part of the In The House series. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters also released "Lola's Theme (08 Re-Edit)". This was an originally an exclusive remix that The Shapeshifters used in their own DJ sets, but due to major demand and exposure, this title was released as a digital download through their own Nocturnal Groove record label. Upon its release this title spent seven weeks at #1 on the Beatport
Sales Chart.
In July 2009, The Shapeshifters released the Young Dubs EP which included "Sideways" and "Nocturnal". Throughout 2009, The Shapeshifters also remixed Natalie Imbruglia
's single ("Want"’) and collaborated with Frankie Knuckles
on "The Ones You Love" which was released on Nocturnal Groove. They also remixed Candi Staton
("Musical Freedom") and compiled the digital compilation, Nocturnal Grooves : Vol.2 – Mixed By The Shapeshifters as well as working alongside Empire Of The Sun and Kleerup
remixing "We Are The People" and "Longing For Lullabies". The Shapeshifters first release on 2010 was Summerdayze 2010 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters - a compilation album released to coincide with their Australian tour in January 2010 and further singles such as "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" followed. Both "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" now have over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. In 2010, The Shapeshifters remixed "Broken Arrow by Pixie Lott
and "Looking Forward" by Jason Chance. In April 2010, 'The Shapeshifters' Nocturnal Groove Radio Show'. This weekly radio show is broadcast through a range of international radio station
s across the world, is available as a podcast on i-Tunes and is available to stream from the Nocturnal Groove website and the Shapeshifters social networks on Facebook
and SoundCloud
.
The Shapeshifters have also worked on productions and remixes for George Michael
, Faithless
, Frankie Knuckles
, Christina Aguilera
and Moby
, Leona Lewis
, Todd Terry
and Danny Howells
. Building on past achievements, it looks like 2011 will be another successful year for The Shapeshifters. They have already released "Waiting For You" - their first collaboration with Shermanology - and have remixed "I'll Take You There" from Frankie Knuckles
's Director's Cut project. "I'll Take You There" is available now on Nocturnal Groove. The Shapeshifters have further releases for 2011 scheduled on Defected Records and Nocturnal Groove and have also just remixed "In It Together" by Human Life.
As DJs, The Shapeshifters continue to tour the world and are returning to their residency for Defected @ Pacha for the fourth consecutive year.
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
duo based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England. They have a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
with Defected Records, and were previously signed to Positiva. Max Reich is originally from Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, while Simon Marlin is British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
.
They are known in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as Shape:UK, in part due to a conflict with the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
based hip-hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
act Shape Shifters
Shape Shifters (band)
The Shape Shifters is a Los Angeles based underground collective of hip hop artists, currently consisting of Awol One , Existereo , Die Young , Life Rexall, Akuma, Radioinactive , Circus, LA Jae, and DJ Rob One .The group prevented another act from the United Kingdom, The Shapeshifters, from using...
. However, the UK duo still uses "The Shapeshifters" name when they are releasing material in other countries outside the US.
Biography
The Shapeshifters are best known for their single "Lola's ThemeLola's Theme
Lola's Theme is a disco house song, released by the UK based production duo Shapeshifters in 2004.- Background :The name "Lola's Theme" was originally a working title for this record; Lola is Simon Marlin's wife and it was while listening to her record collection that the initial idea for the track...
" which went to #1 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in July 2004. The track was originally released as an instrumental promo in 2003 and was inspired by Simon's wife, Lola.
Their second single, "Back To Basics", was released in March 2005 and reached #10 in the UK chart, while the third single "Incredible" reached #12. Their debut album, Sound Advice, was released in March 2006 and peaked at #76 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
, before being released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on Ultra Records
Ultra Records
Ultra Records is an American independent electronic dance music record label. Ultra was formed in New York City in 1995 by former Polygram and Virgin Records executive Patrick Moxey, who is still currently the owner...
in September 2006. The fourth single which featured Nile Rodgers of Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
, was called "Sensitivity" and charted at #40 on July 2006.
In 2008, after four years with Positiva Records
Positiva Records
Positiva Records is a subsidiary of EMI Records and is one of the biggest dance music labels in the UK. The record label was set up in 1993, by Nick Halkes, who previously ran XL Recordings . Its headquarters are at the EMI offices in Brook Green in West London, where it is currently the only large...
, The Shapeshifters signed to Defected Records. Their first release for Defected was "Treadstone" in April 2008, and this was subsequently followed by "Chime", a re-work of the Orbital
Orbital (band)
Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
track. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters released a The Shapeshifters - In The House - a mix album was part of the In The House series. In September 2008, The Shapeshifters also released "Lola's Theme (08 Re-Edit)". This was an originally an exclusive remix that The Shapeshifters used in their own DJ sets, but due to major demand and exposure, this title was released as a digital download through their own Nocturnal Groove record label. Upon its release this title spent seven weeks at #1 on the Beatport
Beatport
Beatport is an online music store specializing in electronic dance music and culture. Beatport is a privately held company owned and operated by Beatport LLC and based in Denver, Colorado.-History:...
Sales Chart.
In July 2009, The Shapeshifters released the Young Dubs EP which included "Sideways" and "Nocturnal". Throughout 2009, The Shapeshifters also remixed Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
's single ("Want"’) and collaborated with Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
on "The Ones You Love" which was released on Nocturnal Groove. They also remixed Candi Staton
Candi Staton
Candi Staton is an American soul and gospel singer, best known for her 1970 remake of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976 disco hit "Young Hearts Run Free". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
("Musical Freedom") and compiled the digital compilation, Nocturnal Grooves : Vol.2 – Mixed By The Shapeshifters as well as working alongside Empire Of The Sun and Kleerup
Kleerup
Andreas Kleerup, known professionally by his last name, is a Swedish record producer, drummer, and member of the Swedish group The Meat Boys, from Stockholm, Sweden. His first mainstream collaboration was as the producer of fellow Swedish artist Robyn's #1 UK single, "With Every Heartbeat", also...
remixing "We Are The People" and "Longing For Lullabies". The Shapeshifters first release on 2010 was Summerdayze 2010 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters - a compilation album released to coincide with their Australian tour in January 2010 and further singles such as "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" followed. Both "Helter Skelter" and "She Freaks" now have over 1,000,000 views on YouTube. In 2010, The Shapeshifters remixed "Broken Arrow by Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
and "Looking Forward" by Jason Chance. In April 2010, 'The Shapeshifters' Nocturnal Groove Radio Show'. This weekly radio show is broadcast through a range of international radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s across the world, is available as a podcast on i-Tunes and is available to stream from the Nocturnal Groove website and the Shapeshifters social networks on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
and SoundCloud
SoundCloud
SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform which allows collaboration, promotion and distribution of audio recordings.-History:SoundCloud was originally started in Stockholm, Sweden, but was established in Berlin, Germany in August, 2007 by sound designer Alex Ljung and artist Eric Wahlforss...
.
The Shapeshifters have also worked on productions and remixes for George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
, Faithless
Faithless
Faithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
, Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
, Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
and Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
, Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, Todd Terry
Todd Terry
Todd N. Terry is an American DJ, producer, and remixer.-Career:Terry's productions extensively used samples blending the sounds of classic disco, the Chicago sound, and elements of hip-hop....
and Danny Howells
Danny Howells
Danny Howells is an English producer and DJ. His music is often described as progressive house, though he prefers to associate more with tech house and is sometimes described simply as "deepsexyfuturistictechfunkouse". At performances, he is well known to interact personally with the audience...
. Building on past achievements, it looks like 2011 will be another successful year for The Shapeshifters. They have already released "Waiting For You" - their first collaboration with Shermanology - and have remixed "I'll Take You There" from Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles
Frankie Knuckles is an American DJ, record producer and remix artist. He played an important role in developing house music as a Chicago DJ in the 1980s and he helped to popularize house music in the 1990s, with his work as a producer and remixer...
's Director's Cut project. "I'll Take You There" is available now on Nocturnal Groove. The Shapeshifters have further releases for 2011 scheduled on Defected Records and Nocturnal Groove and have also just remixed "In It Together" by Human Life.
As DJs, The Shapeshifters continue to tour the world and are returning to their residency for Defected @ Pacha for the fourth consecutive year.
Albums
- 2004 Shapeshifters present House Grooves : (Virgin)
- 2005 Shapeshifters present House Grooves Vol. 2 : (Newstate)
- 2006 Sound Advice — #76 (UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
): (Positiva) - 2008 The Shapeshifters - In the House : (Defected)
- 2009 Nocturnal Grooves : Vol.1 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2009 Summadayze 2010 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters : (EQ Recordings)
- 2010 Nocturnal Grooves : Vol.2 - Mixed by The Shapeshifters : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2011 Nikki Beach - In The House : Mixed by The Shapeshifters : (Defected)
Singles
- 2004 "Lola's ThemeLola's ThemeLola's Theme is a disco house song, released by the UK based production duo Shapeshifters in 2004.- Background :The name "Lola's Theme" was originally a working title for this record; Lola is Simon Marlin's wife and it was while listening to her record collection that the initial idea for the track...
" - #1 (UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
), #1 (US Dance Radio Airplay), #13 (Netherlands), #35 Australia :(Positiva) - 2005 "Back To Basics" - #10 (UK), #1 (US Dance Club Play), #17 (Netherlands): (Positiva)
- 2006 "Incredible" - #12 (UK), #19 (Netherlands): (Positiva)
- 2006 "Sensitivity" (feat. ChicChic (band)Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
) - #40 (UK), #21 (Netherlands):(Positiva) - 2007 "Pusher" : (Positiva)
- 2007 "New Day" : (Positiva)
- 2008 "Chime": (Defected)
- 2008 "Treadstone" : (Defected)
- 2008 "Lola's Theme (08 Re-Edit)" - #1 (Beatport Sales Chart) : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2009 "The Young Dubs EP" : (Defected)
- 2009 "The Ones You Love" (Frankie Knuckles & The Shapeshifters) : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2010 "Helter Skelter" : (Defected)
- 2010 "She Freaks" : (Defected)
- 2011 "The Ones You Love" (DJ Meme Remix) (Frankie Knuckles & The Shapeshifters) : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2011 "Waiting For You" (The Shapeshifters & Shermanology) : (Defected)
Remixes
- 2003 "Mr Mike - Do it Again'" : (Peppermint Jam)
- 2004 "Danny Howells And Dick Trevor Feat. Erire - 'Dusk Till Dawn'" : (Cr2 Records)
- 2004 "Patrick L - 'Things We Wanna Do'" : (Onephatdeeva)
- 2005 "We Deliver feat. Erire - 'Breathe Again'" : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2005 "George Michael - 'Flawless'" : (Sony)
- 2005 "Candi Staton - 'You Got The Love'" : (Positiva)
- 2006 "G-Club feat. Haze - 'Faith'" : (G-Club)
- 2006 "Frankie Knuckles - 'I've Had Enough'" : (Noice Music)
- 2007 "Christina Aguilera - 'Ain't No Other Man'" : (Sony)
- 2007 "Leona Lewis - 'Bleeding Love'" : (Sony/BMG)
- 2008 "We Deliver feat. Erire - 'Supernatural'" : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2008 "Todd Terry All Stars - 'Get Down'" : (Strictly Rhythm)
- 2008 "Moby - 'I'm In Love'" : (Mute)
- 2009 "Kleerup feat. Titiyo - 'Longing For Lullabies'" : (Positiva)
- 2009 "Empire Of The Sun - 'We Are The People'" : (Virgin/EMI)
- 2009 "Candi Staton - 'Musical Freedom'" : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2010 "Pixie Lott - 'Broken Arrow'" : (Mercury)
- 2010 "Jason Chance feat. Michelle Weeks - 'Looking Forward'" : (Stealth)
- 2011 "Frankie Knuckles pres. Director's Cut feat. Jamie Principle - 'I'll Take You There'" : (Nocturnal Groove)
- 2011 "Human Life - 'In It Together'" : (Defected)
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- The Shapeshifters - Official website
- The Shapeshifters @ MySpace
- The Shapeshifters @ Facebook
- Nocturnal Groove - Record label owned by The Shapeshifters