About Us
More about In The Shallows…
When the delicate and 'honey-sweet vocals' of Welsh Singer-songwriter Danni Davis found harmonic delight in the raw vocals of Kiwi rock and roller Lance Shepherd, In The Shallows were born and the first chapter began…
Touring relentlessly, performing 70+ Nationwide shows following the initial formation of In The Shallows, they have expanded their horizons from what was once a folk duo playing small shows in every corner of Aotearoa to main stage festivals that inspired Danni to take the band on an evolution to a more eclectic and intentionally poppier sound, whilst simultaneously staying true to the original roots and the magic of a good old ballad with harmonies that will make your heart soar.
Their debut album was described as "...acoustic music, performed by some wonderful singers, containing songs with a purpose yet so varied that the album never gets tiring’ (Kev Rowland of Muzic.net.nz ). The upcoming album will take you on a journey that will be both uplifting and pull on your heart strings, all at the same time.
On their debut album release tour, they made it onto the 'Top 10 Live shows of 2021' list by Kev Rowland of Muzic.net.nz and the singles that followed received glowing 5* reviews. ‘Let's Not Start a War’ received a 10/10 review from UK's House of Prog , ‘There You Are’ released Dec 21 premiered on ‘The Hits’ with Estelle, received a 5* review from Muzic.net.nz and was placed in their ‘Top 10 Singles of 2021’. Both tracks have been reviewed enthusiastically by many media outlets around the world, including HappyMag AU, BuzzMusic LA and many other international blogs. 2022 began with just as much of a bang, with a sell out tour and a signed publishing deal with Songbroker.
More recently, In The Shallows signed with Grant Hislop’s new music company ‘Mood’, an off-shoot of JuiceTv, NZ's only music Television channel (channel 200). Hislop founded The Rock, co-founded Radioworks (now MediaWorks) and was previously head of labels and A&R at Warner Music, label managing Anika Moa, Fur Patrol, Shihad and Weta. He also worked with Goodshirt, Pluto, Opshop, Goldenhorse, Tadpole and Jordan Luck as manager and booking agent.
Studio recordings feature Lance Shepherd (Martina Topley Bird ex Tricky, UK), Andrew Bain (Fur Patrol, NZ), Nick Brown (Eb & Sparrow, Vorn, NZ), Michael Barker (John Butler Trio, AU & Tim Finn, NZ, Split Enz, NZ), Ben Brunskill (The BOSS, NZ/AU) TK Paradza (Rhombus, NZ), Bonnie Schwarz (Good Habits, UK), Davey Dubman (Taos Sound, NZ) and Jeremiah Ross, (Module, NZ). Michelle Velvin (Wellington Orchestra, NZ), Janet & Shona Holborrow (Crimson Club, NZ). Recorded by Andrew Downes (Fur Patrol, Don McGlashan, Shihad, Louis Baker etc).
The band released their Debut Album (2020) with producer Steve Rokosh (Canada and LA/Nashville, USA ) and are due to release their upcoming album early 2025. Steves clients include Emmylou Harris, Sass Jordan, Ruben Young, Jocelyn Alice and many more. He’s also scored music for ABC Family, Electronic Arts and Universal Music.
Described as being similar to Fleetwood Mac, The Innocence Mission, The Motels, First Aid Kit, Goldenhorse.
The Band…
Danni Davis
Born and raised in Wales, Danni settled in NZ in 2005. Once settled in Wellington she went on to co-write lyrics with Mara Simpson (Mara and the Bushkas) and performed in Wellington band 'Soul Caravan'. Danni also works as an Actor and Standin/Body Double for actresses such as Juiliette Binoche, Scarlett Johansson, Edie Falco, Caren Pistorius to name a few). During this time she has been mentored by some of NZ’s most highly regarded casting directors/coaches and worked alongside world renowned directors on Mortal Engines, Ghost in the Shell & Avatar. Working in casting and as a crew member on international Film productions, in Television and Theatre has also led Danni to producing the Music Videos for In The Shallows.
In The Shallows has given Danni the scope to experiment with lots of new instruments, allowing her to develop her instrumental skills and the sound of the band. Initially only singing on stage, you will now see her changing things up and switching between percussion, guitars, bass and keys throughout the live performances as she tries to insert elements that have been woven into the studio tracks that she has written, performed, recorded and produced at her home in Paekakariki.
Danni also takes care of the admin, marketing, social media, music video production, tour organising, band member wrangling aspect of the band, so if she isn’t creating music she is usually doing one or all of those other things!
Ben Brunskill (Guitar/Vocals 2024 onwards)
Ben is a multi - instrumentalist and a jack of all trades, playing mandolin, Hammond, and keyboards as well as guitar and vocals. Ben has built a reputation as a solid working sideman and has played in numerous groups around the lower North Island including several nationwide tours, playing with tribute acts Eclipse and The Springsteen Tribute band (BOSS).
Ben has also worked in live sound and production, where he became the house engineer at indie venue King Street Live, as well as working alongside many national acts, festivals, and production companies.
Lance Shepherd (Guitar/Vocals 2019 - 2022)
Lance has worked as a professional musician/producer since leaving high school. Based in London through the 2000’s as a touring/recording guitarist with Martina Topley-Bird (ex Tricky) Lance has worked with a number of producers such as Johnny Dolla (Massive Attack) Leila Arab (Bjork) has played a number of high profile radio, television and live shows shows throughout Europe and the US including BBC2, France Inter, XFM, Later… With Jools Holland, Montreaux Jazz Festival and SXSW.
Founding the band together, Lance’s Guitar parts have been an integral part of Danni’s songwriting. He also engineered the Self titled Debut album ‘In The Shallows’ through lockdown 2021.
Michael Barker (Studio/Live Drums 2024)
Michaels list of credentials range from drumming with the legendary local band Cairo when Tudor Towers night club was in its heyday, performing with The John Butler Trio, Neil Finn to a sold-out Royal Albert Hall to playing with a string of international symphony orchestras, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
And that's without so much of a mention of what he's probably best known for - drumming with Split Enz and Crowded House.
Nick Brown (Studio/Live Drums 2019 - 2021)
Yet another busy Wellington Drummer, Nick also played in Eb & Sparrow, Vorn and many others! He features on the debut Album ‘In The Shallows’, ‘There you are’, ‘Let it go’ and recorded and shot our music video for ‘Let’s Not Start a War.’
Sam Holdom (Live Drums 2024 onwards)
Sam "Texas" Holdom is no stranger to the bright lights of the stage, playing a role in the musical South Pacific at only 6 years old. Since then, his drumming has taken him to stages of all sizes across Aotearoa, from humble local gigs, placing 2nd at Smokefree Rockquest to supporting international acts at Spark Arena and multiple slots at the iconic Homegrown Festival in Wellington.
2014 saw the formation of Skinny Hobos, a rock duo that would take NZ by storm. As well as playing multiple Homegrown Festivals, the two piece opened for international acts such as Biffy Clyro and Living Colour, and their debut album was nominated for an AMA (Aotearoa/NZ Music Award) in 2018. Touring relentlessly around the country, Sam has learned the subtle art of being a working drummer and has taken his dynamic drumming to another level.
Shane Hamill (Live Bass/Vocals)
Shane’s music career has seen him play many styles from big band jazz through to dub/roots/reggae, HipHop, funk, folk and rock. Shane has played in support bands for top NZ bands like OpShop and Jordan Luck as well as international acts including Sting, Jimmy Barnes, Lionel Ritchie and The 50th Anniversary of Motown Concert featuring the Four Tops, and The Temptations.
My Golden Soul, Revival Corporation, Tommy and the Midnight Sun and many more!Emerging from high school bands that included members that would later form groups such as Shihad and Head Like a Hole, Shane is an accomplished bass player who has played in a large number of covers and originals bands in New Zealand, Brisbane and London. Shane cut his teeth playing in Cabaret and residency bands in the late 80s before establishing himself in some of Wellingtons top covers bands during the 90s.
Andrew Bain (Studio Bass)
Andrew has been the bass player for New Zealand rock group, Fur Patrol, since the 90’s and has quietly contributed to many incredible artists albums ever since.
Michelle Velvin (Harp/Vocals)
Michelle is a Wellington based harpist, composer and teacher who plays for the Wellington Orchestra. As a musician her explorations have led to diverse collaborations over wide-ranging genres and disciplines. Most recently in 2021 she has been working closely in duo 'Tamira Pūoro' to record their first album. This duo features Ruby Solly (taonga pūoro, cello, vocals) and Michelle Velvin (harp, vocals). Instrumental tracks explore the relationship between taonga pūoro and harp, and vocal tracks look into the history of Aotearoa New Zealand's social landscape. In 2019/2020 Michelle won the SOUNZ Community Commission to create a new work for the Auckland Harp Orchestra and live dancers.
In 2020 Michelle developed music with artists Mara TK, Cory Champion, Lucien Johnson, Deva Mahal, and Nikau Ni Weera. During lockdown Michelle created new music for Covid Colab, and her composition Bones for solo harp and electronics was featured on the NZSO livestream video Speed. In 2019, Michelle had her composition When I was a bird premiered at the Melbourne International Saxophone Festival. Michelle completed her PgDip in harp performance at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in 2015. She performs as part of all of New Zealand's major orchestras and regularly with various chamber music groups.
Janet & Shona (Strings)
Janet has been playing music since the age of five, starting with piano and later adding flute and then cello. She was awarded a scholarship to study at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music at eleven years old and studied all three instruments there. Later she completed a First Class Honours degree in performance cello and a Master of Music in Composition at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University. Janet’s a member of The Crimson Club, Strung Out and Tu Tilley and she composed and played for theatre, film, music and dance, and records and performs when she has time alongside her duties as Mayor of Kāpiti.
Shona Jaunas is the Artistic Manager at the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She has previously presented for RNZ Concert, and is the director of Circle of Fifths, a production company producing theatre, film and music. Shona trained as a classical violinist and completed an MFA in Fine Arts from Victoria University of Wellington in 2019, and holds a diploma in Acting from Drama Studio London.
She is a founding member of Strung Out String Quartet and The Crimson Club and has worked with many musicians, in many Festivals as both a performer and producer. Floating Trees – The River Rages On and The Crimson Club - Thursday Mornings are 2 albums she has produced. She recently directed Romeo and Juliet as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival and will be directing A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2025.
Bridget O’shanassy (Vocal Coach & Live Backing Vocals onwards)
Bridget is a passionate leader and performer. She began singing in her Dad’s Church Choir at the age of 6. It took her a while to graduate….at 40, she began her solo career, exploring Jazz, R & B and soul music. She currently spends most her time teaching the craft of singing to others and occasionally sharing her talents on stage. Although her career in teaching barbershop and choir takes up most of her time, she also sang backing vocals for The Fleetwood Mac Experience and loves to hog the limelight for herself and smash out a few 70s and 80’s classics at any opportunity.
Bridget studied at Whitireia Polytechnic and has a Bachelor of Applied Arts, majoring in Music and Vocal arrangement and is currently arranging choir parts for our Album release show in 2025.
Arna Wnek
(Live Backing Vocals/Keys 2024 onwards)
Arna’s life long love of singing and learning musical instruments came from an incredibly inspiring primary school music teacher, Mrs Lyn Martin. Lyn taught her how to sing harmonies in the school choir and Kapa Haka group at the age of 7.
Arna’s passion for music extended to High School where she took part in anything musical and was cast in lead roles in school productions. She also learnt flute, took vocal lessons, and enjoyed playing piano, drums, guitar, and playing and bass in the school band.
During her university years in Wellington, Arna was involved with multiple theatres. She was cast as Lorraine in the Wainuiomata Little Theatre production of All Shook Up, directed by Sandy Brewer, and took on an ensemble role in Porirua Little Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
After taking a break from theatre and music to raise her 3 young children, she has come back to music and has been taking vocal coaching lessons from renowned choral and barbershop singer Bridget O’Shanassy. This has lead her to In The Shallows.
The Crew…
Andrew Downes
(
Sound Engineer)
Andrew has been our legendary Sound Engineer since about 6 months in and is a die hard crew member of In The Shallows. He has over thirty years experience as a sound engineer both in studio and in live environments and has comprehensive knowledge of both digital and analogue technologies.
The first studio he was a partner in was Mediate Recording which operated from 1989 until 1997. This is where his recording & mixing skills were gained and many of the people he worked with are still with him today. After Mediate closed he worked primarily at Marmalade Audio, one of Wellingtons most iconic studios.
Andrew then went on to tour extensively with Fur Patrol as their live sound engineer and had other work as a Tour Manager. Back in New Zealand in 2006 he set up another studio with Mike Gibson called Trident Sound Studios which lasted until 2009. He also occasionaly works at The Surgery and has is own home studio Homerun.
Other artists/work include worked Don McGlashan, Estere, Flight Of The Conchords, NZ Film Commission and many more.
Steve Rokosh (Producer)
Steve is known for working quickly while delivering deeply emotional and insightful tracks. He treats all his music as sacred contributions to the people he works with and to the world at large.
Steve’s love of music started with a love of the piano at 16. His career in music began when he moved to LA to work intern for Glow Music. A boutique music placement company. Here he secured a few placements; An ABC Family theme song ‘Monica the Medium’, A track in the video game ‘The Sims’ and A track in Hollywood Film ‘What About Love’ (Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone).
In 2018, Steve was recruited by the charity band BANC (Benevolent Artists National Charity), a supergroup of stage musicians who’ve toured with Emmy Lou Harris, Bryan Adams, Quite Riot, The Guess Who, Guns and Roses and more. This band is known for its exclusive live events that have raised over 1 million dollars in one night. Steve was hired as BANC’s studio and live music producer. He produced a full-length record (one song with Sass Jordan), multiple live events and a 2000-seat show featuring Emmy Lou Harris. During his time with BANC, Steve helped raise over 2 million dollars.