When it comes to balls-to-the wall live music which is electronic and energetic, you have to divert your attention to New Zealand’s finest.

No, we don’t mean their police force (although a couple of viewings of the tv show ‘Police Ten 7’ will lead to you making a case that NZ might just have the chillest police force in the world), we are more referring to Shapeshifter, the 5-piece live drum n bass outfit who has been peddling their wares for 15 years now. They are considered global superstars and their music is adventurous, the sort that will make you angry and euphoric at the same time: Their live show is possibly one of the best electronic live shows going around. Starting next week they will be back in Australia for 6 dates, so we asked P-Diggs, the ‘Shifter’s vocalist, to forward us 5 tracks, new and old, which has really caught his attention.

Cutty Ranks – The Stopper

Machinedrum – Gunshotta   

Been loving this dudes work for minute now, kind of hard not to. There is such a hypnotic and slow building of layers in this tune. It does all the right things for me especially when I’m driving to the beach for a surf or the mountain to go snowboarding or downhill mountain biking… this s the business.

Hugh Hardie – Sound System Dub    

Yes rude bwoy. Thats what this tracks says to me. Loving the new-school tight feels of this tune, while it is still paying homage to the old. Turn it up, this one will have em bouncing.

Noisia – Motion Blur    

Have been a big fan of these guys for sometime now. They are masters of many monster tunes, but his one is a lovely exercise in layer-caking up the goodness till all that is left to do is for you to stuff that foodstuff in your mouth and boogie… yah mean?

Charles Bradley – Strictly Reserved For You (ft Menahan Street band)   

I love how timeless music can be. I only got introduced to this tune last year and yet it seems like an old mate. This to me feels like summer on a rainy day….. Damn, if this sucker don’t make you feel good I’m not sure what will.

Tour Dates:

Friday 31st March: Metro City, Perth with special guest Tiki Taane

Saturday 1st April: Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

Wednesday 5th April: Parkwood Tavern, Gold Coast with special guest K-Lab

Thursday 6th April: The Triffid, Brisbane with special guest K-Lab

Friday 7th April: 170 Russell, Melbourne with special guest K-Lab

Saturday 8th Sydney: Manning Bar, Sydney with special guest K-Lab + Metrik