The Shape is a new wave / goth-influenced band with members from New Jersey and Ontario.
At the vocal helm is Kevin Iavaroni, former singer (and sometimes bassist) of the New Jersey metalcore outfit Old Wounds and post-punk group Sex Cross. Iavaroni’s co-songwriters are Canadians Ben Waugh (Old Wounds, Exalt) and Autumn Easterbrook (Holy Spirit, Sun Streak). The group has some exciting plans coming up, including a new LP and a West Coast tour.
So far, The Shape has self-released the three-song recording Introducing in 2023, and Amusement Mile EP in 2024. Earlier this year, they released a split cassette with Richmond, Virginia’s Rose Chamber on Death Eternal Records.
I spoke with Kevin to learn more about the band.
How did The Shape come together?
The Shape came to be shortly after the world opened back up after COVID. Ben and myself have been playing music together for years and he introduced me to Autumn. Autumn had a bunch of songs written in the post-punk / new wave realm that Ben had also worked on and asked me to sing. The rest is history.
How would you describe the band's sound?
In our formative years, we all played in hardcore bands, which navigated our influences to this point. We try to keep that energy even though we’re playing different stuff now. I was never into the “for fans of” or “if you like this band check out” mentality so I won’t compare the sound to others.
Autumn never really set out to sound like one specific thing she has a collection of synths she’s been writing songs with for years. They have a unique way of blending that classic style while adding an almost heavy distorted guitar sound that really makes everything groove nicely.
We’re a 3 piece but have been adding new elements with every gig. Playing with live bass, guitar, even a live drummer when we can.
What's up next for The Shape and your record release plans?
Our self-titled debut album is coming out October 17 via à La Carte Records. It was recorded and mixed by Autumn and mastered by Ryan Santos Phillips at Lux Perpetua NYC. You can pre-order the album here.
Our record release show is October 17 in New Brunswick, New Jersey with our friends in Rose Chamber, the Treasury, Midna Mayhem, and the one and only Blu Anxxiety. Following the release, we have a few shows on the West Coast.
What other bands from your region should we check out right now?
Listen to Blu Anxxiety, Rose Chamber, The Treasury, True Faith, Scimitar, Blood Handsome, Demmers, Doctor Cement, Glum, Dermabrasion, Palliate, Never Again, Dusters, Negative Force and Olinda.
***
The Shape album will be out on out October 17 via à La Carte Records (pre-order).
Tour dates:
October 19 Phoenix, AZ @ Overdue w/ Le Mal
October 21 Los Angeles, CA @ Slipper Clutch w/ Scimitar and Blood Handsome
October 22 Long Beach, CA @ Lodge Barber Co. w/ Scimitar and Blood Handsome
October 23 San Diego, CA @ The Whistle w/ Scimitar
October 24 Oakland, CA @ Stay Gold Deli
The Shape on social media: Instagram
Tagged: old wounds, the shape
