DRUM and bass lyrics master PDigsss is “chuffed” that out of the vampire nature of the music industry; New Zealand music has found its way.
This month, the front man of New Zealand’s premier electronic group Shapeshifter is returning to the capital after a three year hiatus.
The five man group will perform at the Wellington Town Hall, including songs from their new album The System Is A Vampire –   a title reflective of their frustration with the mainstream.
PDigsss says an example of their displeasure is the 2010 Webby Awards, where the Shapeshifter website was nominated for Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics.
“Coca-Cola’s website beat us – what a scam,” PDigsss laughs.
He says the Shapeshifter website was leading online voting when polls closed.
“Later, when it came up and said Coke had won, we were like ‘what!’ It’s not all bad, it’s cool to be nominated alongside that calibre of web designs.”
Shapeshifter’s trailblazing, psychedelic website is characteristic of the cutting edge nature of their music.
The band’s infusion of live instruments and “heavy stadium soul” into drum and bass has captured the hearts of music lovers all over the country.
PDigsss says the latest album title reflects the band’s personal and musical voyage.
“[The title] states the obvious man; I’ve been doing this music gig for a while now, and we strived and survived, we struggled to pursue the dream of making a living off music in New Zealand.”
It took two years of recording to lay down 11 tracks for The System Is A Vampire.
“All of the songs have story behind them. Twin Galaxy is a tribute, and is my way of dealing with the loss of my father. It was tricky to write, because he died way too prematurely at 70 years-old,” says PDigsss.
He says although the local industry is “ridiculously hard” to crack; the music is respectable.
“We are stoked that New Zealanders are so enthusiastic about their own music. When I started, there was this cringe factor about our music, but now most of my favourite artists are from my own country.”
PDigsss, who is of Cook Island descent, has lived in Wellington’s CBD, Upper Hutt, and Porirua, says the Town Hall is perfect for a homecoming.
“Lots of my heroes have played there. It’s amazing what a place like that can bring out of you, and we are going to turn out some mighty mighty sounds.”
Wellington front man Jon Toogood has been a major influence on PDigsss, and he fondly recalls watching Shihad rock the Town Hall.
“My heart is in Wellington, but you feel ripped off there because its super cold but there is no snow,” he laughs.
When Capital Time spoke with PDigsss, he was miles away from the troubles of the vampire system at the base of Coronet Peak.
After his first day snowboarding this season, he is relaxing with a cold beer watching the sunset paint the Shotover River and snow covered landscape a golden yellow.
PDigsss is at Downtown Brown’s house (aka Sunshine Soundsystem), who is opening Shapeshifter’s winter tour along with hip-hop artist J-Dubs.
“We are just relaxing having a korero by the fireplace. I try to get down south as much as I can; it’s good for the soul.”
Queenstown is a vital link in the Shapeshifter story.
PDigsss moved there after leaving his band in 1999, and in 2000 Downtown Brown introduced him to Shapeshifter.
“They still had the jazz thing going on from music school, and they were into improv – we just had that magical connection.”
Now some 10 years later, Shapeshifter’s reputation as a live music phenomenon is spreading.
At the end of September they tour Japan and then carry on to Europe.
PDigsss says making ends meet in Europe has taken a lot of work, and with the help of English record label Hospital Records they will visit new destinations like Prague and Bratislava.
“We have had testing times over there, it’s a proving ground. Crews there try and tell you how to do music – London is the home of drum and bass, and they tell you: ‘we are over it man’. But once they see us it’s a different story.”
Amsterdam is PDigsss favourite European haunt.
“It’s our most preferred stop over, that place has got it sussed, just cruising around on a bike all day and listening to weird music.”
Most overseas venues they play hold around 500 to 800 people.
“Its not like New Zealand, people are crazy here and turn out in their thousands.”
PDigsss says he’s not fazed at being one of New Zealand most sought after bands.
“We have none of that crazy Bieber fever. Nah, we’re just normal people, but sometimes we have better sunglasses,” he laughs.
Shapeshifter, Wellington Town Hall, July 23.