Gathering local momentum and grandiose nods from online blogs such as Sniffers from his debut single releases of Nightcaps & Horizon Ft Jaz Paterson, today 18 year old Christchurch electronic producer SHLI releases his much anticipated debut EP NIGHTCAPS.
“At just eighteen, SHLI’s music shows insightful attention to details that goes beyond his years” writes Sophia Davies from Sniffers.
SHLI is currently attending Christchurch’s SOLE Music Academy where he has honed his production and songwriting skills on their artist development programme. SOLE teamed him up with well-known electronic producer KAMANDI to further develop his sound. “SHLI definitely knows the sound of the lane he’s moving in with music, some really lush melody ideas and also some really impressive mix dynamics especially for such a young dude, super talented. I feel like I understand his sound and paired with the tasteful mixes he churned out it made mastering fun, basically a good excuse to turn his music up loud in the studio,” says KAMANDI.
Influenced by the likes of Burial, Yung Sherman and Gud, the EP features four ethereal and ambient songs refined from a collection of original demos he created last year. “When people listen to my music I hope that they get a feeling of space and ethereality. I'd like for it to be used as a means to take the listener away from reality for just 3 or 4 minutes,” says SHLI.
The debut EP will be celebrated with an EP release show on the 10th December at the Wunderbar in Lyttelton. The night will entail some local support acts and live performances and you can get your tickets from cosmic.
To keep the momentum rolling, SHLI is currently working on some new material more influenced by 90’s dance music set to be released on a local label. SHLI feels so much more equipped to take on the music industry after his time at SOLE Music Academy. “I’ve learned so much in the last year about making music and everything that surrounds the music. I used to be really mystified about the music industry, but through doing music business at SOLE, it all makes a whole lot more sense,” says SHLI.