TAUK release Shapeshifter II: Outbreak today, a free-flowing yet elaborately composed all-instrumental blend of progressive rock, hip-hop, & jazz that takes an exhilarating look at artificial intelligence and its potential to upend our world. Yesterday, Keyboard Magazine debuted the band’s incredible, sci-fi, animated video for “Recreational Outrage”.
Musically and visually, “Recreational Outrage” heads down the wormhole of “Blade Runner”/“Tron”. The video’s bold, futuristic imagery takes viewers on a dystopian trip, and shows the captivating evolution of the ‘Shapeshifter’ virus that began in TAUK’s “Checkmate” video.
Discussing the video, guitarist Matt Jalbert stated, “‘Recreational Outrage’ has an aggressive energy throughout and director/animator Dugan Warmoth was able to capture that, creating an entire unique world. We get zipped around a lab where the ‘Shapeshifter’ has broken loose and taken control. It’s an exciting ride that leads to this thing finally taking on it’s next form.”
Warmoth added, “The music for ‘Recreational Outrage’ took me on a journey, so I knew the animated video had to do the same. The song’s fluid grooves and computer tones inspired me to create a piece that fused organic elements with A.I. I wanted to create a voyage for the viewer that showcased the listening experience.”
Shapeshifter II: Outbreak embeds the sci-fi narrative into TAUK’s most adventurous, emotionally expansive work to date. A continuation of their early-2018 EP, Shapeshifter I: Construct, the new album picks up where its predecessor’s narrative thread left off, and broadens the band’s sonic palette to include a vast spectrum of synth sounds and programmed effects.
In sculpting the album’s intricate arrangements, TAUK called on such esteemed musicians as The Naughty Horns, Ghost-Note’s Nate Werth (a percussionist who’s also played with David Crosby, Q-Tip, and Snarky Puppy), and Juan Alderete (longtime bassist for Racer X and The Mars Volta). Shapeshifter II: Outbreak came to life in collaboration with TAUK’s longtime cohort Robert Carranza—a Grammy Award-winning producer/mixer/engineer also known for his work The Mars Volta, Ozomatli, and Taj Mahal.
TAUK will play Meetings Of The Minds this weekend, and kick off their fall tour starting October 4, running through November 17 (all dates below).
TAUK Tour Dates
Sep 29 – Schuylkill Haven, PA – Meetings of the Minds
Oct 04 – Rochester, NY – The Music Hall @ Funk ‘n Waffles @
Oct 05 – Burlington, VT – ArtsRiot **
Oct 06 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre ^^
Oct 07 – Harrisburg, PA – Club XL $
Oct 10 – Lexington, KY – The Burl #
Oct 11 – Knoxville, TN – Concourse @ The International #
Oct 12 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre #
Oct 13 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House *
Oct 14 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House ^
Oct 17 – Huntsville, AL – Sidetracks Music Hall #
Oct 18 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s #
Oct 19 – Houston, TX – The Secret Group #
Oct 20 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada #
Oct 21 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge #
Oct 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live &
Oct 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room &
Oct 26 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst (Atrium) &
Oct 27 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone Berkeley &
Oct 31 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub &
Nov 01 – Eugene, OR – Wildcraft Cider Works &
Nov 02 – Seattle, WA – Nectar Lounge &
Nov 03 – Portland, OR – Star Theater &
Nov 06 – Missoula, MT – Top Hat Lounge &
Nov 07 – Bozeman, MT – The Filling Station &
Nov 08 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room &
Nov 09 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre &
Nov 10 – Winter Park, CO – Ullrs Tavern &
Nov 13 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House &
Nov 14 – Indianapolis, IN – The Hi-Fi &
Nov 15 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall &
Nov 16 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom &
Nov 17 – Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Iron Works &
Dec 21 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place ##
Dec 28 – Albany, NY – Jupiter Hall @ Lucky Strike Social %
Jan 15-Jan 21 – Jam Cruise 17 – Port of Miami, FL
@ w/ Flux Capacitor
# w/ Funk You
* w/ Dynamo
^ w Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
& w/ Exmag
** w/ Kudu Stooge
$ w/ AMFM and Sun & Rain
^^ w/ McLovins
## w/ Kung Fu
% w/ The Motet
https://www.taukband.com/
