FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 10, 2025
ARE YOU REALLY REAL, the new album from Canada’s legendary Shuffle Demons, out on Alma/Universal on March 7, 2025
Shuffle Demons celebrate their 40th anniversary with Are You Really Real, an electrifying new album that showcases their unique and unmistakable sound. The release highlights their trademark fusion of jazz, funk, blues, and rap with finely crafted compositions from all five band members.
Are You Really Real album will be available on CD, Streaming, Digital + Hi-Res Digital Platforms. Pre-order/Pre-save NOW!
The first single, X Marks The Spot, drops on January 10, 2025. (Listen HERE).
Shuffle Demons have captured the magic of their renowned live performances with this new release, recorded at the iconic Canterbury Music studio in Toronto with producer Jono Grant and engineer Julian Decorte. The stripped-down combination of bass, horns, and drums creates a bold and full-bodied sound, setting the stage for high-level improvisation and dynamic grooves.
Born out of Toronto’s vibrant street scene in 1984, Shuffle Demons have built a legacy as innovators of genre-defying music. Are You Really Real celebrates this history while pushing their music forward, blending traditional jazz elements with modern funk, blues, and rap influences. From intricate horn lines to joyful chaos, the album promises a listening experience like no other.
“We feel fortunate to be able to make music, to celebrate the spirit of being in a band that has a unique sound and breeds a supportive atmosphere, to the tour the world spreading our joyful music to those who crave art that is emotionally uplifting.”
Joining Alma Records’ esteemed roster of artists, Shuffle Demons continue to deliver music that uplifts and energizes. With Are You Really Real, they invite fans old and new to celebrate four decades of fearless creativity.
Shuffle Demons: The real deal!
About
The Shuffle Demons are a high-energy Canadian band that blends virtuosic playing with eye-catching costumes and over the top stage antics to produce an incredible show. A hit at festivals all over the world, the Shuffle Demons are a crowd pleasing, full-on musical group that backs up wild stage antics with phenomenal playing by some of Canada's most talented musicians.
The Shuffle Demons first broke onto the Canadian music scene with an electrifying musical fusion that drew in equal measure from Sun Ra, Charles Mingus, Run DMC and the Beastie Boys. The band was one of the first indie acts to break out on MuchMusic. This band was genre bending, highly visually entertaining, funny, and best of all, could really PLAY. All their eye-catching, crowd pleasing stunts were backed up by incredibly solid musicianship and real ground-breaking playing.
Over the course of their illustrious career The Shuffle Demons have released ten CDs, two hit videos, won several music awards, done numerous tv and radio appearances and toured nationally and internationally including 25 cross Canada tours, 5 US tours, 17 European tours, as well as tours of The Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa playing on big festival stages, theatres and clubs.
The band continues the tradition today with a great line-up of players that includes Juno Award winner Richard Underhill -alto sax & vocals, Kelly Jefferson and Matt Lagan - tenor saxes and vocals, Juno Award winner Mike Downes - bass and vocals, and Juno Award winner Stich Wynston -drums and vocals. Expect the same exciting, no holds barred performances that feature wild romps in the crowd, free jazz moments, danceable funk, poetry, killer solos and more. We are a crowd pleasing, full on musical group that backs up our stage antics with some phenomenal playing by some of Canada's most talented musicians. We play a mix of jazz, funk, rap, hip-hop and world music, wear spectacular hand painted suits and love to parade through the audience, a perfect festival, theatre or club act.
For music and merch, visit our bandcamp page!
