inthemix | Features | The Shapeshifters: Breaking free

As their name would suggest, The Shapeshifters have an inherent ability to redefine themselves. From huge major label hits crafted from disco samples, through to acid-inspired independent releases. Simon Marlin, one half of the duo (with Max Reich), recently spoke to ITM, touching upon major label annoy-ances, acid house and how they’re enjoying their time with Defected Records. “We signed to Defected from EMI on a three album deal,” begins Simon. “This In The House release is only the beginning for us and our Defected relationship. The next step could bee an album of original material in the future. So we’ll see how it plays out following this release”.

The Shapeshifters are the latest act to pump out an In The House volume for the mighty Defected label. The triple CD touches upon a variety of house music styles, as the Shapeshifters drop straight-up vocal house, through to tougher, techier moments and peak-time main room madness, along with their latest hits Chime, Treadstone and a re-work of past anthem Lola’s Theme. The first two discs are mixed, while the third represents a collection of some of the duo’s musical inspirations. Simon explains that he and Max mixed both discs together with a clear direction in mind. “We collaborated with both discs, rather than working on one disc each. This was the best way to represent our sound that we play around in the clubs. The two discs are definitely geared up in this way,” he says.

Traditional fans of the more soulful Defected sound may need a few listens to dig the two mixed discs, and if you’re expecting two hours of Lola’s Theme style tunes, think again. “I would agree it represents the tougher side of Defected,” says Simon of the release. “But disc one is pretty deep… there are soulful elements. Which is what Defected is about. As long as it is quality house. Like the label, you cannot con-fine our sound to just one style of house”. If you need evidence of this statement, have a listen to their new single, Chime, which is a throwback to the acid scene and a remake of the classic Orbital track. Simon tells ITM that the song’s release is a case of good timing. “We had no intention to time it so well with the whole 20 years of acid, which is this year. So it timed perfectly. It was a bit emotional remixing an all-time classic! That tune was very important at the time in the scene”.

As the Shapeshifters turn their attention to international touring, Simon reveals that Aussie house-heads could be seeing them at the decks sooner rather than later. “We would really like to come to Australia, maybe early next year and I’ll be speaking with our local representation about that. For now, we have an eight week US tour to keep us busy. We went over there earlier this year and frankly, I thought it was going to go shit but it went better than expected. So I hope this tour is the same. It’s going to be fun taking this CD on the road. I think a lot of the sound works really well in the clubs,” Simon says with surprise, before explaining some of their latest hiccups when putting the CD together. “Probably our only genuine disap-pointment with this release was the politics and red tape behind some of the major labels. Particularly for our Inspirations disc (CD 3).” Simon is of course alluding to the absence of Johnny Taylor’s What About My Love, which the Shapeshifters sampled cleverly in their breakthrough hit Lola’s Theme.

Simon finishes by telling ITM that, along with Max, the duo is focussed on touring in support of the re-lease, playing club gigs and working closely with Defected. “We’re working on a vocal version of Treadstone, so that is coming up for us. Aside from this and some other things for the near future, we have solid touring to attend to”, he laughs. “Hopefully we can come see you too in Australia!”

In The House mixed by The Shapeshifters is out now through Defected, distributed locally by Stomp.